[pvfederico]

It took me six or seven of my ten years playing to learn that the secret (for me) to finger picking melodies is to go up the neck. I'm self taught, so I had no one to tell me this simple principle.

I start picking a pattern (in an open chord progression) that fits the rhythm, then introduce and embellish the melody over some playing time (less each year). When the melody notes aren't easily found using a chord in the open position (or are not rich enough), I try with the same chord up the neck, and eventually find a shape that makes that part of the melody work -- and works with the other chords.

At my humble level, to not go up the neck would pose a serious limitation to my ability to make pleasing sounds. I pick up a lot of melody notes on the 8th and 9th frets. I rarely have to go higher that, but my version of Cielito Lindo, uses them all -- without capo.