Fingerpicking

Fingerpicking is playing the guitar using the fingertips or fingernails, rather than with a plectrum (or "pick"). It is usually used in Classical guitar styles, and some other acoustic styles, but it has found its way into other genres as well, including rock and roll, although its use in such genres is rare. It is not the only way to play the guitar without a pick, but it is perhaps the most common pickless style of professional guitar players.

There are at least as many ways to fingerpick as there are fingerpickers. The picking hand (the right hand for right-handed guitarists) may or may not have small picks attaches to the fingertips, somewhat similar to the Scruggs style on the banjo, but it is more common to simply use the fingertips or fingernails. The pinky finger, or possibly ring finger, might be held against the bridge (on an acoustic) or a pickup (on an electric), to brace the hand. This finger should be as straight as possible, though not too rigidly. Holding it against the bridge on an acoustic deadens the tone of the instrument, therefore when the player becomes skilled enough it is preferred that the surface of the guitar simply be used, if possible. Then, the other fingers, excluding the thumb, are held in a claw shape and may then pluck or strike the strings.

There is a potential but slight disadvantage to fingerpicking. If the fingertips are used, there is a small chance that a blister will develop, though this is not likely unless one plays too fast before calluses are developed. On the other hand, if one uses the fingernails instead, they might become slightly ragged as tiny pieces of the nail are chipped away by the strings. Neither possibility is a real concern for a serious guitarist, however.

External Links

• Dansm's Fingerpicking Lessons. Learn how to try it yourself!