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Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:28 am Post subject: Finger Picking

A'ight. So I've been trying to learn some finger picked songs (Elliott Smith, The Jackson Browne Nico songs...) and I'm finding it somewhat difficult. Is there anyone here that is good at finger picking stuff? Are there picking patterns that are commonly used? What tips would you gimme?
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James · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:35 am Post subject:

I've read before that you use your thumb for the E A and D and index middle and ring for G B E respectively.

Some Kings of Convenience stuff is fairly simple but great sounding. I will grab you a youtube link and a tab to have a look at.
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Shabba.

Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:36 am Post subject:

Ace, Mega, etc.. Ta James.
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James · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:44 am Post subject:

Link

There are two parts but the tab covers the one that is easier to pick out (I think, I've never properly learnt it)

Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:57 am Post subject:

James, you nobber. That looks hard as fuck.
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James · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:59 am Post subject:

just learn the intro bit. that's the cool bit.
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Shabba.

Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:35 am Post subject:

I just tried it a little bit. It's actually not that hard. I might try and learn that whole song tomorrow.
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Reece · . Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Kent, UK

pick a song that seems fucking impossible and work at it.
then pick another one.

that's how i learned fingerpicking. the first slightly more difficult fingerpicking song i leanred was this:

Link

fuck lauren laverne.
s'good for learning how to keep a constant bassline going with the thumb while your fingers do their thang.

Will · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:59 am Post subject:

Alright: Finger Picking Pontification time.

Don't think in patterns. Just don't. You'll get locked into them and find yourself quickly limited. And don't assign one finger to each string - use whichever works in the situation.

Everything you'll be playing can be classified as a "pinch" or a "roll". In a pinch you'll be plucking with your thumb and one or more of your IMR fingers simultaneously - easy. In a roll, the notes come out at different times. There are forward rolls, from thumb to the IMR fingers, and reverse rolls from IMR to thumb. As you look at and play thru tabs, stay conscious of whether you're doing a pinch or a roll.

In a more idiotic sense, you're playing the low and high string either at the same time or not at the same time. Once you get independence between the fingers on your right hand, you'll be able to play anything.

Another thing I've found helpful is to keep the pinky resting on the top of the guitar. It can be hard to keep it fixed, but having a point of reference helps your muscle memory develop faster.

Mityushikha · . Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 206 Location: Plymouth, UK

I learnt fingerpicking because of this guy

Link

I'd agree with the advice from will, although I do sometimes think in patterns, it makes it easier to remember a long piece or sing over something. If you plan on using plastic fingerpicks then start with them sooner rather than later or you'll learn bad habits that are too sloppy for fingerpicks.

stewart · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:57 am Post subject:

i'd love to be able to pingerpick properly, i should really make more of an effort to learn. i'd have to do it by ear though, can't read no tablature (maybe i should learn that too).
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nondas · . Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 456 Location: Melbourne

I started out with a simple style of Travis picking with songs like "Julia". It's a common style and really easy to pick up. Sorry if this is some pretty n00b shit (because i'm pretty n00b to this shit).

Link

Mityushikha · . Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 206 Location: Plymouth, UK

Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

This guy is hilarious. I thought his gurning was a piss take at first, but I think that's just the way he sings. He can finger pick the shit out of a guitar though.

Link

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George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19977 Location: UK

It's country and Christian but Doyle Dykes is way up there for me with finger-picking.

Link

I've started trying to play finger picking/classical for myself but might wimp out and get lessons at some point. It's hard!

stewart · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject:

Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

Haha, he really does look like the lizard king.
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Gavin · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

nondas · . Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 456 Location: Melbourne