These 3 Fingerpicking Patterns Are SHOCKINGLY Easy and Instantly Make You Sound Like a Pro
These 3 Fingerpicking Patterns Are SHOCKINGLY Easy and Instantly Make You Sound Like a Pro
Hey guys, Brad Litton from SimpleGuitar.com. This blog post transcribes my YouTube lesson on straight fingerpicking — three simple patterns for four-, five-, and six-string chords so those same old open chords stop sounding the same.
We'll apply it to the main part of When You Say Nothing at All by Alison Krauss.
Think of Open Chords in Three Categories
- Six-string chords: G, E, E minor (you're playing all six strings)
- Five-string chords: C, A major, A minor
- Four-string chords: D, and your basic open F (not the barre F)
Each type gets a simple pattern.
Right-Hand Setup
No pick — just fingers. Thumb comes out to the side of your hand. You've got a little fist. When the other fingers pick, they curl up into your palm.
Pattern 1: Six-String Chords (G)
Eighth notes. Thumb picks the sixth string, then skips down to the fourth string. First finger picks the third string. Middle finger picks the second string.
6 4 3 2, then repeat. Count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. You play 6-4-3-2 twice to fill one measure of 4/4.
Same fingering on E minor, E major, E7 — anything six strings.
Pause the video and get used to it on a G.
Pattern 2: Five-String Chords (C)
Lowest note first (C on the third fret of the fifth string), then fourth string, then first finger on third, second finger on second.
5 4 3 2, repeat. Same rhythm. Same pattern for A minor, A major, A7 — any five-string chord.
The only difference from six-string is which string you pick for the root.
Pattern 3: Four-String Chords (D)
Thumb picks fourth, then third. First finger second. Second finger first.
4 3 2 1, repeat. That's why it's called straight fingerpicking — you're picking straight down through the chord.
Easy Progression: G, Cadd9, Dsus2
Plant your third finger on the third fret of the second string and leave it.
G: second finger on the third fret of the sixth string. Don't worry about the first finger on the fifth string — we're not picking that string. Pattern: 6 4 3 2. You can do it for two measures.
Cadd9: third finger stays. Second finger moves to third fret fifth string. First finger second fret fourth string. Pattern: 5 4 3 2.
Dsus2: third finger stays. First finger moves to second fret third string. Fourth string open, first string open. Pattern: 4 3 2 1.
Put together: G, Cadd9, Dsus2, back to Cadd9, repeat. You can do this with any progression as long as you use the right pattern for four / five / six strings.
Song Application: When You Say Nothing at All (Main Part)
Alison Krauss. Great classic country / bluegrass. When I DJed dances I used to save this for last.
Each chord gets the pattern one time — half a measure each.
- Start on that Dsus2, pick down through it
- A, but keep your third finger on the third fret of the second string
- That G from earlier (second finger on sixth string, third finger still put)
- Back to A
Little lick: hammer-on on the second string from 2 to 3. On the A, I bar my first finger across all three strings. If you can't, two fingers: first finger barring third and fourth strings, second finger on the second string, hammer the third finger. If you can't do the lick, just hit that second string.
Then back to D. That's the main part. It just repeats.
What to Practice
- 6 4 3 2 on any six-string chord
- 5 4 3 2 on any five-string chord
- 4 3 2 1 on any four-string chord
- G – Cadd9 – Dsus2 with the planted third finger
- The Alison Krauss main part: Dsus2 – A – G – A
No new chords. Just the open chords you already know, with a fresh sound. If you want a simple place to start, grab my free Top 10 Things to Learn on Guitar First at http://simpleguitar.com/top10.
And hang out with other adult guitar players in the Simple Guitar Facebook group: http://facebook.com/groups/simpleguitar.
About the Author
Brad from Simple Guitar helps adult learners play the songs they love without the frustration. Visit simpleguitar.com for more free resources and lessons.
