hmm i know this sounds weird but i really suck at fingerpicking since i've never really received formal training in it... i can only manage using my thumb and index finger to pluck real simple notes >< i always screw up with the positioning of the other fingers

any tips on starting? i'd like some recommended songs to practise on =) (YUI's would be even better hehe)

Have you tried just simply practice plucking each string with each finger?

Usually the low E and A string you use the thumb, then use the others fingers for each of the strings (index on D, middle on G, ring on B, and pinky on high E) Either don't press any specific chord (all open strings) or press something simple (e.g. E chord) and just keep on plucking.

You can start by plucking in sequence in one direction, say from low E to high E. Then later you can try going backwards, high E to low E. And after that when you feel comfortable, you can go up and down. Then later you can try plucking in certain patterns, etc.

I haven't done any finger picking myself as I'm also a guitar newbie. But I do plan to start later this year.

heyy there asuna

i play the spanish guitar and as you might have known we replace picks with our fingernails and basically do everything with our fingers

i think the practicing method suggested by s0l1dsn8k3 should work for now - just make sure you keep your fingers close to the strings so that you won't have to rush to find the strings again

as you progress play faster and faster and move your hand up and down the six strings

the intro of TOKYO is a great song to start with

good luck!

Fingerpicking is the way to go! Whoo! I just started learning a finger picking song called "Ouray". Here it is on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gYglj2-7bdY

I grew my nails slightly long on my right, so it's a bit easier to pick. It feels a bit awkward at first, but once you practice more, you get used to the nails picking the strings and it does sound nicer too.

And I agree with Hillshire. TOKYO is a nice song to start off with fingerpicking... :)

asuna if you want to really develop fingerstyle skills join this site:http://www.truefiretv.com/ There are some neat lessons that are totally free of charge that might teach you the basics. I just found this site today after checking out the link to my local Premier Guitar Festival. I'm going to learn from this site too. Hard work pays off. Don't grow impatient. See you around.

Cool video Nat. *drools over that Taylor*

I was gonna try finger picking as well so I started to let my right-hand finger nails to grow last month. I thought I would have some time to practice but other things kept me busy. I didn't cut my nails for like 3 weeks and it grew very long. In the end, I couldn't stand the long nails because it obstructed my keyboard-typing and since I won't be trying finger picking anytime soon, I just cut the damn thing off completely.

I can never grow my right hand finger nails even pass 2mm long. The way i hold my pen makes the finger nails dig into my finger if it passes a certain length. And I need to write..... *sobs*

Actually, the actual SHAPE of the fingernail makes a difference too!!

I recently cut my nails and made my right hand a little too short... Now, after finger-picking for so long, I think my right hand is starting to grow callous too (CURSE YOU "Beauty & The Beast"... If it wasn't for solo and fingering practise I wouldn't be having to play such a... Childish... Uhhhh... Did I type that too big?...)!!

Classical guitarist have to cut their right hand nails in a specific way to ensure that they hit the right strings at the right times!!

Anyway...
Asuna...
Finger-picking is one of the easiest things to learn... The reason being that you can touch each string and can cover more strings with one hand than one pick, i.e. you can't PICK several strings whereas you can play several strings with your right hand alone (Yes, yes... I KNOW a few guitarist that can pick and PLUCK... And we're not talking chickens here... =.=").
Anyhow, the best way to learn finger-picking is to go all out BROKEN CHORDS. You know the chords you play now? Well, basically, break them up with your fingers. For example, for an F chord, play it like this...

E---------1-----
G------------2--
B---------------
D-----3--------
A---------------
E--1------------

Experiment with different notes, but keep the same timings as a song. I think I learnt finger-picking on "All You Wanted" by Michelle Branch... I never knew about a pick back then, so I used my fingers for the intro... :P

Happy finger-picking!!
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JK

Oh yep. I cut my nails in a similar shape as a guitar pick.. but for my thumb nail, I need to trim it a bit slanted to the left, because the way I pick with my thumb requires me to trim it that way. It looks strange.. haha. Oh well.

Today, my brother complained about my long nails on my right hand... hm.. I should have scratched him for complaining.. GRR.

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!... That's the way to do it!! :P
j/k j/k j/k!!

Alternatively, you could use thumb picks like that youtube video you showed me... The guy playing "Triloge"?

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JK

Haha ... that's guy is a French Canadian, Antoine Dufour.

In another Youtube video that he posted, he answer some of his fans' questions and one thing he pointed out is that for his other 4 fingers, he use fake nails glued to his own short nails. Before he apply them on his nails, he filed the fake nails into the shape that he likes.

Plus, he adds that bandanna to the headstock underneath the strings to eliminate some "ringing" when plucking open strings.

You can watch his FAQ here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o2XKFfTMH0


EDIT: Oh, and his label CANdyRAT, which is also Andy McKee's label, has released a DVD that contains 8 of Antoine's and 8 of Andy's songs. Those that are interested can purchase it from their label's site, http://www.candyrat.com/

I've seen guitarist use pick and finger at the same time. So you pluck the string with your pick and at the same time do some fingering with your other free fingers which are not holding the pick.
Interesting.

"Bigger Than My Body" by John Mayer... :)
(Can you HEAR it??... The power of the AdrenaLinn II as he picks the main strings with a pick and his ring finger??!!!... "This is a call to the colour blind... This is an I O U...")

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JK

I've upload some good stuff of the fingerstyle variety in the Non YUI Media section:

http://yui-lover.com/index.php?showtopic=5091

Yay! Thank you!

Bigger than my body is the bomb, mother of all John Mayer songs

Nah... The real mother-load/real deal is "Covered In Rain"...
The solo is just breath-taking... Both the ones from Any Given Thursday and As/Is!!

I must cover Why Georgia... I WILL COVER IT ONE DAY!! :'(
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JK

Cover Back to you as well!! lol

Yep, that's a nice song. I like Neon. He performs the acoustic version on stage... it's pretty neat. I was trying to play the intro at Cross place last night. :)

woo thanks for all the tips and song recommendations! i finally understand how to fingerpick now (i never thought of using my fingernails cos of the sharp sound so i used the fleshy bits XD)

oh and i heard this guy from my school play Why Georgia before - the intro is :sayw hope i can reach that level eventually =)

you will soon enough

Neon acoustic version??where??!!!

Hey Nat, could you post a picture of your nails?