learning to play fingerstyle

ka0ttic · #1 05-28-2007, 08:11 PM

For the few months I have been playing I've always used a pick. I keep trying to learn to play fingerstyle, but frankly it sounds horrible

When I do try to play using my fingers, I usually use the index and middle finger of my right hand. My current problem is that I am focusing so hard on using both fingers, one after another, that I end up messing up with my left hand. If I try to concentrate on my fretting hand, I revert to just using one finger... any tips or exercises that might help?

Thanks

BASSKADET · #2 05-28-2007, 08:27 PM

When I first started playing I just used my index finger so I could concentrate more on my left hand fingering (mistake). When my right hand could move faster than my finger could pluck I realized that I should have stayed with alternating fingers. Also having no calouses makes a difference in the way a string is plucked.

All I can say is practice alternating fingers every thing will eventualy come together.

**Mark Wilson** · #3 05-28-2007, 08:50 PM

Honestly, go back to doing this.
In tab (I'M SORRY)

G|---------------------1 2 3 4-------------------
D|--------------1 2 3 4-------1 2 3 4-------------
A|-------1 2 3 4---------------------1 2 3 4------
E| 1 2 3 4----------------------------------1 2 3 4

And get used to going Index, Middle etc etc.

Dave · #4 05-28-2007, 09:06 PM

Id go with Marks idea with a slight change. Instead of going 1-2-3-4 when going back to the E string from the G, reverse it for the trip back and go 4-3-2-1. Use your index finger on 1 and 3 going up and on the way back down use your index on 2 and 4.

DocBop · #5 05-28-2007, 10:15 PM

You don't just down pick you alternate up and down and don't think about it, your hand is on autopilot. Well that didn't happen overnight you focus for awhile on you picking and little by little it became natural. Now you have to do the same thing with fingerstyle. First use a metronome and slow enough you can focus. Just get a single note going with good alternate fingers in time. Once you get one note working for a minute or so at a time, then start doing a measure or two on one note on one string, then move to next string for a couple measure. Work your way up and back. Once smooth move to Mark Wilsons exercise.

Focus on good alternate fingers fingerstyle for about ten minutes a day and in a week it should start feeling natural. Then practice everything you do with a pick with your fingers. You might have to slow the tempo, but doing it right is far more important than doing it fast. Speed will develop on its own.

Deacon_Blues · #6 05-29-2007, 07:30 AM

Yes, I agree with practicing at least 10 minutes alternating fingerstyle every day until everything feels natural and sound good. For the first practicing sessions, practice only your right hand and S L O W L Y, using a metronome. You can start on the A string (easiest, IMO) and move to other strings later.

Every time you pluck a string, mute it with the other finger (index/middle) right after so it is in the right position to do the next pluck. When you advance, try to do the muting as quickly as possible so you barely can hear the note before it's muted.

When your plucking starts to become natural, incorporate your left hand again and do some exercises. Check out John Patitucci's videos for technique exercises, those are great.

PrimusNut · #7 05-29-2007, 01:52 PM

Sometimes it is a bit difficult to ALWAYS alternate, for these times, I use Geddy Lee's 2 finger hook technique. I take my index and middle finger, hold them together, and pluck the string with them as if using 1 finger. As for alternating... Practice,Practice,Practice.

Pilgrim · #8 05-29-2007, 02:07 PM

Nothing but reps will do it. Sometimes I even practice alternating fingerstyle strokes on the steering wheel while driving (not in heavy traffic, please, unless you're stopped at a light).

ka0ttic · #9 05-29-2007, 03:31 PM

Thanks for all the responses guys. I'll definitely keep on it and try those exercises.

Koki · #10 05-29-2007, 03:33 PM

first mistake... you started with pick.. well I did also play with pick at the beginning but I kinda lost it over time

ka0ttic · #11 05-29-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koki

first mistake... you started with pick.. well I did also play with pick at the beginning but I kinda lost it over time

I realize that now, yes, but when I first started my goal was to play something that at least somewhat resembled what was in my head or on a cd. From my previous guitar playing experience, I was already half way decent at using a pick, so I just stuck with it since that was what was easiest.

I'll probably continue to play with a pick even after I learn to use my fingers mainly because that's the kind of sound I'm looking for and I'll be playing some pretty fast stuff. I just want to learn because if I do continue to use a pick for most stuff, I want it to be because I choose to, not because I have to.

Loempiaketzer · #12 05-30-2007, 08:17 AM

i have a question for you guys.

im playnig like... fingers only and tried plectrums sometimes buit my 2 fingers are faster atm than my plectrum skills...

but i wear out... if i have to play a long time with 2 fingers i cant keep up i get tired.

so... what u guys think is the best?

use 3 fingers? use 2 fingers and build up muscle and stamina like the hulk or use a plectrum?

Deacon_Blues · #13 05-30-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loempiaketzer

i have a question for you guys.

im playnig like... fingers only and tried plectrums sometimes buit my 2 fingers are faster atm than my plectrum skills...

but i wear out... if i have to play a long time with 2 fingers i cant keep up i get tired.

so... what u guys think is the best?

use 3 fingers? use 2 fingers and build up muscle and stamina like the hulk or use a plectrum?

I sometimes have problems with my fingers getting tired. It depends a lot on the plucking speed needed, and if the're any rests in the bassline. But it got enormously better after a few lessons that got me thinking more in the terms of economy of motion. I was "digging" too much with my fingers and playing too aggressively so I got tired way to quicky and had a very limited max speed. The exercise I described above was the key to my improvement. I'm still not as fast as I'd like to be, but I sure got better.

I need to practice this exercise more and not hang around on TB all the time!

That would help me to reach that goal...

IAmTheDood · #14 05-31-2007, 01:03 PM

i started playing in december .. with a pick. hated the sound of the pick but couldn't do finger. i would practice finger style about 30 minutes a day .. then go back to pick. finally i decided to stick with finger. you go a little backwards as far as progress is concerned but it picks up real fast and sooner than later you'll be faster with a finger than a pick.

I also used one finger for plucking for a long time, because of concentration on alternating with 3 finger runs on the left hand was hard for me i wouldn't do it for awhile. Then again, I stuck with it .. alternating fingers .. went backwards for a couple of days then it grew very natural to me and now i alternate all the time. and I'm even faster than before!

just stick with it .. it might be frustrating .. and you might take a step backwards as far as playability is concerned .. but one step backwards = 2 leaps forwards and you'll be well on your way.

Disc · #15 05-31-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Honestly, go back to doing this.
In tab (I'M SORRY)

G|---------------------1 2 3 4-------------------
D|--------------1 2 3 4-------1 2 3 4-------------
A|-------1 2 3 4---------------------1 2 3 4------
E| 1 2 3 4----------------------------------1 2 3 4

And get used to going Index, Middle etc etc.

Yeah after a week of this I had fingerstyle down, so try it out.

tlwaps · #16 05-31-2007, 04:35 PM

Practice everything you know using fingerstyle. Chromatic exercises, major scales, minor scales....etc. Everything I play with my fingers I also try to slap it as well. That's all I have to say about that.

Infernal Affair · #17 05-31-2007, 04:45 PM

I would take all these tips into consideration and add one more thing. When you start your drills note which finger you start with (most cases it'll be index finger), then after you do the drill once, start again from the beginning with your other finger (in this case middle). It may seem trivial, but it really helps to develop finger independence. In most cases one finger tends to dominate when finger plucking and you'll hear it a little when playing. This will help you develop a more even sound from both fingers as well as develop a little versatility. That way you won't always have to be "on the index" and be comfortable when the downbeat changes to your other finger(s).