[Correct Fingerpicking Hand Position] - 10 Second Workout

[@robinr22]

You've just taught me, in 10 seconds, how to deal with the single biggest thing that has held back my fingerpicking. Literally mind blown - thanks so much!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@robinr22, great to hear! Let me know how you get on with it :)

[@cognachobo2320]

Great video thanks so much. You are an excellent teacher. One of the - very - rare gems on KZbin!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Thanks for the kind words Cognac Hobo and I am glad you liked the video :)

[@andrewjaramillo]

I have searched for Travis picking lessons online but I couldn't find ones I felt a connection to. Many great players but not all good teachers. You teach in a way I understand. Thanks. All the best.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are every welcome Andrew! Great to hear you find the videos helpful. I trust you have checked out the Travis Picking lessons on the channel? There are 3 or 4 of them from memory

[@craigwoodward3361]

Wow what a difference. Thought I had good technique before but my fingers felt like they were getting tangled and the rhythm not quite consistent when trying to speed up. Thanks so much

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@craigwoodward3361, you are very welcome! I am glad this video has helped with your technique :)

[@KeyToMusic]

Great to have a very clear way of checking in with hand position.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Definitely. Glad you found the video helpful Key To Music :)

[@cpm5689]

Awesome, thank you!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome! :)

[@chrislamson9021]

This ig a game changer for me, and so easy! Thank you for this!!!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@chrislamson9021, you are very welcome! :)

[@warwick4178]

Thank you Simon for teaching me correct fingerpicking hand position.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome Warwick :)

[@juzzie]

Superb!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Glad you enjoyed the lesson Justin :)

[@Ra-cq4el]

The man looks happy !! It seems like a Eurika moment for him .. That's thanks to your effective methods of teaching Simon :) keep up!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome Elka! :)

[@Jaybricca]

I’ve anchored my pinky finger on the body of the guitar for years. Now it feels unnatural to use proper form, but I want to get into classical playing so i suppose I’ll just have to force myself to relearn lol thanks for the instruction

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@JayMead-l5t, I've changed my thoughts a little on the pinky since making this video. You can see an updated version of this video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmGaYnl4hsd3bK8 Having said that, classical players will typically have a floating pinky, but I don't think it is a must to play classical guitar. Maybe someone who plays classical guitar could tell you otherwise.

[@Zen_Guitar1]

Thank you. Great video:)

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome! :)

[@DavidDorenfeld]

Thank you so much!!! Subscribed

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@DavidDorenfeld, you are very welcome, and thank you for the sub! :)

[@suezeeque1]

Great explanation, Simon! thank you :D

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Thanks Sue :)

[@haaarrdik]

Thankyou so much sir. I feel when I played earlier (with my default technique) I used to sound uneven...Some notes sharp and high and others too low (especially with the I, M, A finger notes) Now that I have grabbed your advice to set a hand position thats much convenient for me in playing. Not only that - Notes are sounding uniformly. Just that its my new approach - The notes are very low at volume.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome Hardik! So glad you have been able to improve your technique with my video :)

[@vickichristie9558]

Excellent instructions, until now I too suffered from a flying thumb. Thanks

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome Vicki Christie :)

[@lambisstratoudakis]

Great tips. Is there any tip or suggestion how to rest the fingers on the strings especially while fingerpicking? I can rest P and I but when for example I like to pick simultaneous P & M the index finger rise by itself.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Hi Lambis, focus on keeping a relaxed picking hand when fingerpicking. Excess movement is the result of excess tension. To do this, you need to go through the motions of fingerpicking the strings very slowly. Efficiency can only be improved by playing VERY slowly. It's ok if the fingers come away from the strings when fingerpicking, they need to for the strings to ring out, but there is a difference between resting the fingers from the strings and having them fly away. Also, try resting your fingers and thumb on their respective strings as outlined in this video, and then pluck using your P and m fingers and go slow enough and have your brain engaged enough so your index finger remains on its string. I hope this helps :)

[@lambisstratoudakis]

@@acousticguitarlessons Thank you so for the tips and time to answer me. I will follow you recommendations and it’s already better from the time I have written to you.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@@lambisstratoudakis excellent! Glad you’ve improved :) I missed your comment initially so was late in replying

[@cipriansafta896]

The neck of the guitar should also be at an angle or it doesn't matter? Thank you

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@cipriansafta896, yes, good point! The guitar neck should be at an angle pointing upward. How much of an angle depends on the player. Thanks for bringing that up :)

[@eagerwave7233]

My right hand can't stay in place for eg. When I pluck 3rd and 5th string with index and thumb resp. Both of them comes parallel instead of making an x ANY TIPS??

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Have you gone through the EXACT steps I lay out in this video? You can't go wrong if you do. As soon as you put your thumb on the 6th string, following the steps I lay out, it has to be in front of the index finger when looking down from your perspective, forming an "x". Maybe I am misunderstanding you?

[@arelaguilos3630]

When doing the steps, my hands always goes back to its relaxed position where my thumb is not in front postion anymore, it's more like aligned with my other fingers. I've been doing it several times and it adds tension to my so it goes back to its relaxed postion. Is this a Problem? Plessee helppp

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@arelaguilos3630, if your thumb is aligned with your other fingers this isn't too bad. Hard to say without seeing your hand position. Make sure you don't try and put the fingers too far behind the thumb as this will cause tension. The position your hand ends up in after following the exercise in this video if done correctly, is where you want your hand to be. Be patient, it may take some time to get used to :)

[@varitasaequitas1490]

So don’t anchor my palm or baby finger to the guitar? I see other people teaching those methods but it never felt comfortable to me. Do you feel like you lose any accuracy doing it this way?

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@varitasaequitas1490, you can rest your pinky on the body of the guitar when fingerpicking, however, make sure it is only brushing up against the guitar, not anchored down in one spot thereby restricting the movement of your fingers. I have a short video on this here: kzbin.infoPdpjDBqyvoo?si=YpsX6-49QAtnhIMS

[@els1f]

4:14 "here's how you hold your hand...." Begins playing Metallica. I think he has it lol 😋 this little tip is REALLY helpful✌️

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@els1f, ha ha, yes, I'm always reminded of "Nothing Else Matters" when demonstrating hand position and picking up the strings :) Glad you found it helpful!

[@dimitribernardi2963]

Hey, I'm blind bit * whant tò re learn Guitar . Wherr do I start?! Learn chord, learn triads... Help me

[@austinsouthward8007]

You caught see what you are doing no closeup

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@austinsouthward8007, watch from here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3moYXuAoK6tia8