I know I have all the wrong foundations playing finger style guitar that I've taught myself. I've gotten to a point where I'm somewhat limited because of that.

Can anyone recommend a good finger style guitar website that will give free lessons?

Other recommendations that may help are welcome too.

Thanks!

1/15/2012 5:00:48 PM

I picked up my finger picking and other lessons from Justin Sandercoe. He has tons of free (donations accepted) lessons and explains things very well.

here's a link to the finger style lessons. But I recommend you check out the others too.

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/FO-000-Folk.php

1/15/2012 8:50:31 PM

finger style? thats hilarious


I don't know any good websites necessarily but I do support your endeavor to go back and fix the basics...I played classical and flamenco guitar for two years before I literally ever touched a pick or electric guitar, and though my infrequent paying of late has made me a bit rusty, those rudiments will always be with me.

good luck and godspeed

1/16/2012 7:30:10 PM

Play slow
Den play fast

Try and learn birds of fire

I'm Krallum and I approved this message

1/16/2012 10:41:08 PM

Quote :

"finger style? thats hilarious"

?

1/17/2012 9:58:47 AM

just never heard it called that...sounds funny. I 100% endorse the practice

1/17/2012 1:47:53 PM

I don't think I've heard it referred to as anything else. It's the correct terminology for anything that doesn't involve a flatpick.

1/17/2012 1:53:40 PM

Well that begs to question what the actual term is. If there is an actual term, maybe it'll help my search because I'm not looking at the right sites.

Folk fingerpicking is great, but I was looking toward more of the classical kind of picking. Folk fingerpicking I think is a practice that forces me to anchor down my pinky and ring finger and I'm trying to get away from that as I get into the more classical arena.

Do you have any recommended books if not websites paerabol?

1/18/2012 4:25:27 AM

http://www.jamestaylor.com/guitarlessons/

1/18/2012 8:31:06 AM

is this like the intro to "dust in the wind?"

if so, im the man.

1/18/2012 8:51:31 AM

^^^ The fingerstyle lessons in link I posted do use the ring finger (P-I-M-A). True that the patterns are folk style patterns, but it does teach you to use all fingers. I pretty sure that P-I-M-A is standard for classical guitar too. I only know of Flamenco that also uses the pinky.

So, I guess the better question is what style of music are you interested in?

1/18/2012 9:53:53 AM

Definitely classical. I wanted to be able to play Bach, Beethoven, etc...

1/18/2012 1:04:58 PM

Quote :

"I don't think I've heard it referred to as anything else. "

Fingerpicking? Pretty common vernacular.

1/18/2012 3:06:34 PM

Finger picking is a particular technique used for blues and folk guitar. Fingerstyle is simply the generic term for all playing styles that do not incorporate a flat pick.

Classical is rather easy to get started, and generally does not incorporate the right hand pinky finger. Having real sheet music in front of you is fairly important, IMO, so if you're going that direction, I'd consider a classical method instructional book. If you don't read sheet music, you will need to learn if you want to easily find things to play.

Do you have a classical guitar or access to one? The low tension and layout of the strings and frets make a classical guitar much more conducive to learning any finger style technique, but particularly classical and flamenco. It's certainly possible to learn on a steel-stringed instrument, but you'll have a much harder time.

1/18/2012 3:40:05 PM

Actually, that's been my experience. I've been trying to play fingerstyle on an acoustic and I have had a difficult time with my hands finding where the strings are. Just waiting for the tax refund to get a classical.

Are there any recommended books that come to mind?

1/18/2012 6:36:19 PM

I think this is the one I used:

http://www.amazon.com/Solo-Guitar-Playing-Frederick-Noad/dp/0825636795/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326931378&sr=1-5

It's been several years, but as I recall it was a good introduction to classical technique.

1/18/2012 7:05:46 PM

Pretty good suggestion! I'll give that a try! Thanks DaveOT!

1/18/2012 8:10:00 PM

I've used Aaron Shearer's Classic Guitar Technique series in the past. Mel Bay also has a pretty decent series on classical guitar.

1/19/2012 1:21:11 PM

I'll have to try these books out! I'm trying to remember everything I learned from an instructor that I regret not taking seriously.

1/19/2012 11:14:27 PM

was there like a general guitar discussion thread somewhere at some point?

like a gear discussion thread?

i was just wondering because i didnt want to make a new thread only to have it locked. if this exists please bump it (i couldnt find it).

2/6/2012 9:30:38 PM

http://thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=487114&page=28

2/6/2012 9:33:48 PM

I've heard that term way too much on Echoes...

2/6/2012 11:23:03 PM

So I order Fred Noad's Solo Guitar Playing Volumes 1 and 2 and it looks really promising. It does't get too technical with the language, but I think it would help if you at least had some really primitve knowledge of the guitar.

I'll let you know what I think (if anyone cares to hear what my experience is).

2/18/2012 7:02:54 PM