Beginner Finger Picking

[distr0ided]

Well not only is this my first contribution to the user lessons, but it is my first attempt to tab out a song, as well. Here we have Pink Floyd's "Is There Anybody Out There?" which can be found on The Wall, disc 2, track 2. this was one of the first songs i ever learned how to play, and even given its ease, i still enjoy playing it, its just a beautiful song.

now to finger pick this piece, using your right (playing) hand, your thumb will take all notes on the A string, Index on the D, Middle on the G, ring on the B and pinky on the high E.


E-|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
B-|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|
G-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|
D-|-2-----------2---|-3-----------3---|-4-----------4---|-3-----------3---|
A-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|


E-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|---------0-------|-----------------|
B-|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|-------1---1-----|-------1---------|
G-|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|-----2-------2---|-----2---2-------|
D-|-2-------0-------|-----------------|---2-----------2-|---2-------2---2-|
A-|-----------------|-3-------2-------|-0---------------|-0-----------0---|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|


E-|---------0-------|-----------------|
B-|-------1---1-----|-------1---------|
G-|-----2-------2---|-----2---2-------|
D-|---2-----------2-|---2-------2---2-|
A-|-0---------------|-0-----------0---|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|


E-|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
B-|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|
G-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|
D-|-2-----------2---|-3-----------3---|-4-----------4---|-3-----------3---|
A-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|


E-|---------------0-|-------0---------|---------0-------|
B-|-----1-------1---|-----1---1-------|-------1---1-----|
G-|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|-----2-------2---|
D-|-3-----2-0-------|-0---------------|---2-----------2-|
A-|-----------------|-------------3-2-|-0---------------|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|

E-|-----------------|---------0-------|---------0-------|
B-|-------1---------|-------1---1-----|-------1---------|
G-|-----2---2-------|-----2-------2---|-----2-----------|
D-|---2-------2---2-|---2-----------2-|---2-------------|
A-|-0-----------0---|-0---------------|-0---------------|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|


E-|---------0-------|-----------0-----|---------0-------|----------------|
B-|-------1---1-----|-------1h3--3p1-1|-------0---0-----|--5--3-1-1-0-0--|
G-|-----0-------0---|-----0-----------|-2---2-------2/5-|-5-4----------0-|
D-|---2-----------2-|---0-------------|-2-2-------------|----------------|
A-|-3---------------|-2---------------|-0---------------|----------------|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|


E-|---------0-------|-----------0-----|---------0-------|----8~~----7~~--|
B-|-------1---1-----|-------1h3--3p1-1|-------0---0-----|----------------|
G-|-----0-------0---|-----0-----------|-----2-------0---|-9------7-------|
D-|---2-----------2-|---0-------------|---2-------------|----------------|
A-|-3---------------|-2---------------|-0---------------|----------------|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|


E-|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
B-|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-------|
G-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|
D-|-2-----------2---|-3-----------3---|-4-----------4---|-3-----------3---|
A-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|


E-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|--------------5--|-7---8------12---||
B-|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|--------1 /5-----|------------10---||
G-|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|-----2-----------|------------9----||
D-|-2-------0-------|-----------------|---2-------------|------------10---||
A-|-----------------|-3-------2-------|-0---------------|------------0----||
E-|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------||


just take it slow to begin with, and once you can play it flawlessly slowly, go a bit faster until you can play it at correct speed ( listen to cd for timing, etc)

well, i know its not much, but i hope this can help someone get a little bit better, or atleast learn a new song. peace.

[adamsnez]

while we're on the topic.
i just started learning to finger pick and can say im getting it dowwn!
here's my "problem".. I prefer to play with my thumb, index, and middle only.
I hate using my ringer and pinky (ESPECIALLY pinky)..
I know this is "bad habbit" but if i can do the songs, and keep up to speed still, is there anything WRONG with doing this? Do any of you guys use your first 3 only?

[distr0ided]

in answer to your question, yes and no. if playing with just three fingers is working for you, and you are able to play all the songs you want no problem, then no it isnt bad. however, the more the merrier, and the time may come when you will have to incorporate atleast one of those neglected fingers, and without practice, you may have a bit of difficulty further down the road. I always suggest becoming proficient with all of your fingers; same applies for the left hand as well (for those who don't practice their pinkies).

As for my using 3 fingers only, it depends on what i'm playing and where im goin with it. Infact, I barely even think about right hand fingering anymore, it just kind of plays the notes i need to :p .

not the most informative post for a user lesson, but i hope this helps. :)

peace.

[HyperNurb]

I don't really get this... :confused:
I'm completely new, and can only play chords...

What's the difference from playing this with a pic? :rolleyes:

And can you give any sugestions on what fingers to use on the left hand,, I'm quite used to just move around the Index finger :annoyed:

thx :)

[The Rocker]

U could play this with a pick! it is just an exersice using all fingers to pick with, plus finger picking gives a better tone to this sort of song.

As with fingering single notes! it is best to use the most comfortably finger, and also take in consideration the quickest routes to each note, most times i base it on the one finger per fret theory, and work around it like that! like as u would play in scales.

All the best, Paul. :D :D

[xxjohnboy]

im my opinion... learn to use your thumb, index, middle and ring finger for finger picking. the pinky is very unneccessary (i think i have never ever in over 10 years of playing needed to use it). im sure if you were creative enough you could create a song that needed the pinky but you can do everything else without the pinky. however there is lots and lots of stuff that requires your ring finger.

[mcj]

I would recommend this one to anybody starting out with fingerpicking. It's relatively easy to get the hang of and it really never gets boring to play as it is such a pleasant song. However, I don't use my pinky as you do... But.. whatever works, right. Peace.

[mcj]

while we're on the topic.
i just started learning to finger pick and can say im getting it dowwn!
here's my "problem".. I prefer to play with my thumb, index, and middle only.
I hate using my ringer and pinky (ESPECIALLY pinky)..
I know this is "bad habbit" but if i can do the songs, and keep up to speed still, is there anything WRONG with doing this? Do any of you guys use your first 3 only?

I've been under the impression that most classical and Spanish guitarists use only four fingers, sometimes just three. Perhaps I've been misinformed.

[Red Foreman]

I would also suggest learning to use your ring finger as well.As others have said it will become second nature and you won't have to think about which finger to use.I taught myself how to fingerpick by learning Bach's bouree in E minor it will definately get you using all your fingers.As a bonus when you play with a pick you can use your middle and ring fingers for some hybrid picking.

[HyperNurb]

ok,, Thanks for all help and tips :)

[Yippy.1991]

thanks for this! its about time i started working on this...i usually only use my thumb with finger picking...and a thumb isnt even a finger!!!!!!

[guitarist29]

while we're on the topic.
i just started learning to finger pick and can say im getting it dowwn!
here's my "problem".. I prefer to play with my thumb, index, and middle only.
I hate using my ringer and pinky (ESPECIALLY pinky)..
I know this is "bad habbit" but if i can do the songs, and keep up to speed still, is there anything WRONG with doing this? Do any of you guys use your first 3 only?

I went through exactly the same thing. It took me a week to get myself to use all my fingers and get out the habit