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#1
06-15-2009, 08:55 AM
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Help with fingerpicking
Hello all, hopefully someone here can help with a problem I am having.
I have been trying to teach myself to fingerpick for a while now after playing mainly flatpick stuff since I started playing they guitar. I have learnt most of the basic things but I am really struggling with making my thumb and fingers work independantly of eachother. If I try to play something like Mombassa by Tommy Emmanuel I can do the melody section fairly easily however, the tune has that repeating bass note throughout and I can't coordingate doing both at once. Does anyone know some good excercises and practice methods to try and help me improve? Anything you think can help please post. Thanks, Pete Last edited by Coke_zero; 06-15-2009 at 09:05 AM. 
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#2
06-15-2009, 10:09 AM
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go slow!
The only way to do it is to practice reallly really really slowly. So slow you think it is to slow! and then a bit slower! When you can do it gradually work the pace up. Maybe try using a metronome?
Getting your thumb to keep a baseline is hard work and takes alot of practice.
__________________
Never Bb. Always B#. B natural.  Martin 000c16GTE Avalon Gold series S200
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#3
06-15-2009, 10:20 AM
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I think the main issue is the music/tab I have is of very high standard playing which I am no where near. I was wondering if anyone knew a step by step way to learn.
I think you are right about the speed though. I don't think I have slowed it down enough.
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#4
06-15-2009, 10:31 AM
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.......................................
__________________
Unimogbert Last edited by unimogbert; 03-08-2023 at 12:15 PM.
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#5
06-15-2009, 10:41 AM
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If you are into DVDs, one that I have found really helpful is:
Essential Exercises for Fingerstyle Guitar with Pete Huttlinger from Homespun
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#7
06-15-2009, 12:26 PM
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I recommend that you begin with an easy song; a very easy one. Choose a song that you like, with a slow tempo and straightforward chord changes. Work out a simple fingering pattern that supports the vocal (you don't have to sing at the same time, just "replay" the vocal in your head).
Begin by playing the bass only, using the thumb. Play a simple 1-5 alternating note pattern. Work with a metronome if it'll help. Once you're confident of your thumbing, add notes plucked by the fingers. Pick out a simple thumb-finger-thumb-finger pattern to begin. As time goes on, expand to additional finger notes. And most importantly, enjoy the playing! 
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#8
06-15-2009, 12:32 PM
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Quote:
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#9
06-15-2009, 02:50 PM
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In order to become accustomed to using your thumb and fingers independently you could try playing the Animals version of, The House of the Rising Sun. You would play the 6th, 5th and 4th string with your thumb, the 3rd string with your index finger, the 2nd string with your middle finger and the 1st string with your ring finger. You should start out as slow as necessary to clearly play each string and gradually build up speed until you can play it much faster than it should be played.
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#11
06-15-2009, 03:10 PM
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Quote:
Most players, like Tommy and hundreds of others, that combine melody (finger) and accompany (thumb), utilize a basic picking pattern or two in their music. Listen carefully, and you will see that these patterns, and how smoothly they are played, is what makes the music flow. Usually, only one or two patterns is all that's needed, to create their own "style". I have developed one myself, thats easy to learn and fits well with many, many songs. Try it here! There is a 3 measure tab diagram, showing 3 basic, but different picking patterns. Practice, practice, and more practice, these patterns, and let your right hand show you "the feel" and, when ready, simply add the melody line. It all fits! 
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#12
06-15-2009, 04:09 PM
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Quote:
http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/ww...imals/537.html
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#13
06-15-2009, 04:21 PM
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Quote:
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#14
06-15-2009, 04:34 PM
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Great teacher
One of the best fingerstyle teachers in the country (IMO and others) is a guy named Mark Hanson. He's written dozens of books and is a "teacher" not just a great player who decided to teach.
Here's his website. www.accentonmusic.com The books often come with CDs or DVDs. Call or email them and they'll tell you the best place to get started. Also... yes I would agree it seems you're tackling a song that's a ways ahead of what you should be working on. BUILD A GREAT FOUNDATION FIRST! If you have any specific questions fire away.
__________________
Colbyjack Collings; Taylor; Don Grosh electric; Collings Electric; Taylor K4
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#15
06-15-2009, 04:47 PM
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On getting the thumb and fingers to play independently is something everyone struggles with. If you haven't seen this "lesson" by Tommy, it's worth a watch. He addresses the issue, with some cool humor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue3-yyVilEg And from the same concert, "Mombasa", where he's hybrid picking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKwF-Axp4vw
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