Finger Picking Patterns and Technique:

The fingers of the right hand are often used to play repetitive patterns similar to those produced by cross string picking. Picking with the right hand is also used whenever non-adjacent strings need to be plucked (the pick can strum adjacent strings together, but cannot play the 6th and 1st strings together, for example). Fingerstyle technique is used whenever separate bass and treble lines are played together on a single guitar. It is also used produce a specific tone and sound. Country chickin' pickin' and Merle Travis/Chet Atkins style are common examples of fingerpicking in common use.

In popular music, the fingers typically play a repetative pattern while the left hand changes chord shapes. Below are some examples. Learning the right hand patterns below, and applying them to other chord progressions you play is a great way to become more familiar with the techinique.

(EXAMPLES)

Classical guitarists invariably use their right hand fingertips to pluck the strings. Virtually every proficient classical guitarist today also uses long fingernails on the right hand as individual "picks" to pluck the strings. Most guitarists who have only a casual interest in fingerstyle guitar don't like to grow out right hand fingernails, and this works fine in the beginning. If you do develop a more serious interest in classical guitar or finger picking, however, you will want to learn how to properly develop right hand technique for effective use of the fingernails.

Nail care and grooming is a serious issue for professional finger style guitarists. Nails produce a louder, and generally accepted "better" sound than the flesh of the finger tips. They also make fingerstyle guitar playing MUCH easier. If you really want to learn how to play with your right hand fingers, it is worth the effort to grow out your right hand fingernails.

File your nails with the "diamond dust" type files that are available at most drug stores. Don't use crosscut metal files - they create a rough surface on the nail. File your nails so that there are no corners or rough edges. You may want to experiment with different lengths and shapes. Every player has a unique way of shaping nails for his/her particular technique. Just make sure that there are no nicks, points, or grooves that catch or click on the string. Most players use fingernails
that extend 1/32 to 1/8 of an inch above the fingertip. If you want to learn more about the classical guitar technique and music, refer to the Classical Guitar lesson.