I know it’s not blues, but sometimes it’s just fun to try a little something different…

This is a simple fingerstyle pattern that is a good way to start to get your picking hand working this way.

Hope you dig the video!


    19 replies to "A Beginning Fingerstyle Pattern"

    • Kathie

      Thank you, Griff! Great clip. Finger picking can be added for flavour change in so much music, as with arpeggiated fun on the piano!
      I especially like the sound and bass runs. You show a lot in a few short moments!
      I’ve enjoyed finger picking before hooking up with you and the Blues!
      Music is an amazing art…thank you for sharing your talents with the world!!

    • Kathie

      Thank you, Griff, for the inspiring clip!
      I’ve enjoyed finger picking prior to learning Blues from you through your products.
      Today you taught me a new pattern which has a lovely sound, especially with the bass runs! Keep up the great works!! You are very gifted!šŸ•ŗšŸŽ¶

    • Maurice Daneault

      Interesting for an 80 year old four year beginner.

    • Barry

      Thanks Griff,
      A real challenge for an 80 year old, but a nice pleasant sound.

    • Silicon Valley Tom

      Thank you Griff. I have been playing guitar for over 69 years, and have learned many different “finger styles”. There are many, and I enjoy them very much. Learn as many as you can, if you are interested, and use them. You can create your own arrangements and introduce different styles that you like. The different styles can make a noticeable difference in the sound and feeling of the music. You are the boss!

    • Terry Terrell

      Fingerstyle has such a mellowing vibe to it. Thanks for a great intro video!

      • Rom

        Thanks for this Griff, very similar to All out of love, by air supply, funny ….I’ve been working on just that this and last week!

    • Charles Pealer

      I use my thumb for the 3 bass strings, ring on the 1st , midle on the 2nd and index on the 3rd.. It’s a little tricky to shift my fingers up after years of playing them the other way. I’ll have to practice this a bit.

    • DavidL

      Iā€™m always looking for more patterns to add to my repertoire. This is a lovely one. Thanks

    • Interstate slim

      Thanks Griff, Iā€™ll give this a try today along with my other stuff. Have tried other patterns but not this one. Frankly the other patters frustrated me, but this seems more achievable. Enjoy your day.

    • Ed Poulin

      I’ve been playing mostly fingerstyle for 20+ years and find this style works well with the blues. One thing I really like is that you can make up as many finger picking patterns as you can imagine, many times changing patterns from one bar to another. This gives you a whole new way to voice songs.
      Start off learning a half dozen patterns then experiment. Throw in some pull-offs, hammer-ons, slides and bends and have fun.
      Great lesson as always. Thanks Griff

    • Ted Alexander

      This the “Landslide” progression also.

    • Don Brumback

      Iā€™ve always wanted to learn to play this way so thanks for an introduction. Could you show how to play songs from music books or tabs using this method? Some actual song(s) would be appreciated. I have struggled for years trying to fit music books to finger patterns. Thanks for all you do.

    • Doug

      Hi Griff, really like your tutoring, I been retired for a lot of years now so don’t have a lot of funds for individual lessons. I still sound terrible with the fat finger sounds, really don’t know my cords, use my smart phone for tuning. but I wonder if you would say what the guitar is tuned to in open strings before your samples.. I don’t ever expect to be any good at this but still like to try.. Many Thanks from Northern Ontario, Canada. Not a lot to do here in the winter but shovel snow, lol

    • blind Lame Bob

      Mr. Griff
      Since you go acoustic and you are a skilled guitarist, I have a request.
      There is an incredible classical piece that has made appearances in the rock world over the years. And there is need for a well thought out lesson for this melody.
      Would you consider doing a stand alone lesson for Bach’s BourrĆ©e in E minor, BWV 996.

      Chances are some others would appreciate this also.

    • Chris J CLEMANS

      Thanks Griff That really helped alot with some sticky spots great lesson.

    • tony

      Morning eastern board . checked this lesson out and then to watch Merel Travis do a solo of midnight special . He is only using his thumb and first fingers only . He is a guitar great and can play great .

    • Donovan Hulbert

      Dust in the wind stuff.

    • Art

      Thanks Griff…Iā€™ve always used the ā€œTravisā€ picking style, which seems to work with a lot of tunes, and so it is nice to see an alternative pattern that works well.

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