New to guitar

[Smidgelton]

So far this part of the forum has mostly been about guitars, guitarists, and guitar sounds. But there is very little about guitar playing. I am fairly new to guitar, mainly acoustic. I have been trying to teach myself for a few months now.

I do not use a pick, it feels unnatural to me (I've been playing bass guitar for a number of years). So I have been trying to get my finger picking rythym down. I have been told to use only my thumb and first two fingers while picking. For some reason unknown to me, I cannot help but use my third finger as well. I can't stop doing it. It feels more natural to me, but at the same time, doesn't really improve my playing. I still don't have that picking rhythym down.

So, can anyone help me out with this? Maybe there are some techniques or exercises I could use to fix this problem. Or maybe I'm fine using 3 fingers and I just need to smooth things out?

[brandondrury]

Fingerstyle with 2 fingers???

That's ridiculous! I mean, I'm sure there is like one guy who does this in some awesome way, but this is certainly not typical.

I'm assuming that you also plan to play a finger picked style... like songs like Dust In The Wind, Stairway To Heaven, or Nothing Else Matters.

If you plan on really learning fingerpicked music, there is some sort of fingerpicking magazine that I used to borrow from a friend all the time. It had tabs, but it was a tad different because it told you what fingers to use on each note. It was great for teaching proper form and technique, but I can't remember the name of it.

As you know, there really aren't any rules here, necessarily. However, I if you want to do some advanced stuff, the form is a big deal with finger picking. The cool part is you can do some very cool voicings and harmonies that just don't sound the same with te strum method.


Brandon

[Atratus]

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lesso...r_picking.html

[Charlie_M]

If lessons are out of the question, try to find an instructional DVD on the subject. Maybe hit up your local guitar center (or other shop - needs to either be a very large place that has tons of stuff, or a smaller place that focuses on what you're trying to do specifically). I haven't done any fingerpicking style stuff but I would expect the learning on that to benefit greatly from a visual (rather than written) focus.

Good luck.

Charlie

[Smidgelton]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Fingerstyle with 2 fingers???

That's ridiculous! I mean, I'm sure there is like one guy who does this in some awesome way, but this is certainly not typical.

Brandon

Ah. So basically the guy who told me that is a complete ass. Well, even if not for this bit of information, he was still an ass and I shouldn't have listened to him in the first place.

Thank you for posting that link, Atratus. I'm going to try going through those exercises and see if that helps.

And the DVD suggestions is an awesome idea. I can completely see that as a working solution.

[brandondrury]

The big thing with fingerstyle (that I never did) is sticking with the one finger per string method (most of the time) at least while you are getting started. Learning proper use of your pinky and all that crap is a big deal to do this right.

Brandon

[TAlderson]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Fingerstyle with 2 fingers???

That's ridiculous! I mean, I'm sure there is like one guy who does this in some awesome way, but this is certainly not typical.

Brandon

Au contraire, mon ami. Actually, many of the great folk players like Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotten, and Etta Baker used two fingers and a thumb (Libba Cotten only used one finger! But then again, she played a right-handed guitar upside-down because she was left handed, taught herself everything, and still became an amazing guitarist).

My fingerstyle is mainly two-fingered, and I find it pretty useful. But for rock and stuff, maybe it's easier to use more fingers.

-Tyler

[Atratus]

I find that using all my fingers helps me out heaps, I think two would limit me quite a bit if I was to play like this? I have also been told though that the little finger is not used and that is why it is P I M A (primary, index, middle and anula) with no L for little on the end, however I find the little pinky to be a saviour on many occassions. In saying this I believe that you should find what is best for you! try different things with different fingers and see what works. try the link below for more, the two links I gave you were just googled under "Guitar finger picking technique"
http://members.fortunecity.com/nrbq1/tab.html

[Smidgelton]

Ah sometimes I forget you can find out anything about anything by typing 3 or 4 words into google.

Well I've come to the conclusion that it's best to go with what feels right and (like eating a Reece's) there is no wrong way. I don't think my pinky will be entering the equation any time soon, but who knows eventually I might find it useful.

Tyler, I might check out some of those artists you mentioned. I've definitely been getting into more of the folk type stuff lately.

[Atratus]

I't's like sex bro, move them fingers till you hit the Gspot, wheres the Gspot? when you hit it you will know.........