What is fingerstyle guitar?

It is a style of guitar playing where you strike the strings with your fingers and not with a pick. You would use the thumb, index finger, middle finger and sometimes you may need to use all five fingers to achieve the appropriate results. Playing in this style gives you an extensive freedom of expression.  The main idea is to use your thumb for the thickest strings which would be considered strings 6 (E), 5 (A) and 4 (D). The index finger would be dedicated to strings 3 (G) and 2 (B) and your middle finger to play string 1 (E).  It takes a lot of practice and patience to play fingerstyle guitar, but well worth.  You may even amaze yourself! 

Let’s take a look at some fingerstyle players. Here is Gabriella Quevedo playing  Dust In The Wind by Kansas, composed by Kerry Livgren is the number one song students always request to learn, notice the picking pattern.

Another example and one of my all time fingerstyle guitar favorites, Blackbird as played here by Sir Paul McCartney during one of his 70`s Australian Tours. 

As you can see there are different variations to this style, there is no wrong way or right way to pick your guitar, but there are ways to improve speed, accuracy and fluidity.  Choose a way that is comfortable for you.  If you have any questions or need some musical direction and inspiration, please contact me at fretworknyc@gmail.com, I always welcome those with an interest to improve their playing.  Keep pickin'.