How to Flatpick | Acoustic Guitar Lesson

What is flatpicking on guitar? Sure, it involves playing with a pick, but it's a little bit more involved with that. Flatpicking is a specific acoustic guitar style, heard primarily in the bluegrass and folk genres, of playing individual notes with a pick to form melodies, solos, and fills. Here's everything you need to learn about how to use flatpicking on guitar, about some flatpicking icons, gear, and more: acousticguitar.com/learn-the-...
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[@ShawnBrockMusic]

I use to put up free flat picking lessons on my channel, and they would get like 100 views, which was a big disappointment, considering I was zooming in, slowing songs down and showing them note by note. Then people started having me demo guitars, and talk about them, and the views shot up. This brought me to the conclusion that people like to collect and trade guitars more than try to learn to play them. Improving ones playing takes hard work, and so many don’t want to put the time in.

[@colinpadley1897]

I'm afraid I'm one of them, but really want to get more into the learning/playing.

[@ShawnBrockMusic]

@@colinpadley1897 Brother there is nothing wrong with either road you choose; music and the guitar are huge blessings, and as long as you are enjoying it, that is all that matters.

[@tbonedalb100]

Not me...I could give a shit about what kind of guitar it is...I want to learn to flat pick!!

[@ShawnBrockMusic]

@@tbonedalb100 Brother I guarantee you will do it with that kind of attitude. Such a desire is missing in a lot of people these days, and I hope you will stay with it and burn it up.

[@jeffmcdonald7882]

Based on reading your comment I am going to go to your page and check it out. I am an eager learner!

[@robertshorthill6836]

You are a good teacher, my brother. When I was first learning to flat pick a guitar, I listened to early Ramblin' Jack Elliot and Wood Gutherie among others. If I encountered a decent picker, I would ask them to show me what the heck they were doing. Most of the time these folks had heard of the "Village" and the folk scene taking place there. Those of you way too young to know what I'm talking about have missed a rare period of music history. Most of these people from that era are gone now, but the music lives on, if we care.

[@richardmindemann6935]

We do!

[@jstaxcoach]

What a gifted, humble, fun teacher you are!!!

[@michaelploucha3409]

I like how he says about open chords “We know and love”. It is easy to look down on open chords due to wanting to be an advanced player. But , I realize I do love each and every one because of my love of the guitar.

[@ahsistermojo]

OMG why couldn’t I have found this about four years ago. Finally! Thank you, great lesson. I’m looking forward to many more 😀 so I put my money where my mouth is and joined Patreon 👍

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

Thank you so much! We look forward to getting to know you over on Patreon (and if you’ve got any flatpicking special requests, send us a message there)

[@mojoefelix]

Wow. The information about playing in open position with G and C chord shapes and then using capo to get to different keys is fundamental orientation about bluegrass playing that I really needed!

[@jeffloewi5632]

I really appreciate the calm energy of your lessons. I would have loved to see a lesson on that intro. Thanks

[@Supwisebs]

Loved that rye smile as you were finishing up your introductory demonstration. Great tutorial, man.

[@drewcunningham2]

Great lesson - after years of only fingerpicking, I am still quite new to flatpicking and definitely struggling to build any sort of accuracy and speed - this lesson has really helped - Cheers!

[@shmulik345]

Alan please put more lessons - Pure gold!

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

We've got a lot more lessons with Alan on our site: acousticguitar.com/?s=alan+barnosky

[@Nuke_Skywalker]

man this dude is so cool. he rellay has his heart in it and it shows! great teacher.

[@johncostopoulos7741]

you had me on the first 27 seconds!! Great tutorial. Many thanks

[@billallen1594]

Thank you. Your enthusiasm is infectious 👍🏻

[@constanceturner871]

Thank you for this tutorial. This is very helpful.

[@swingmitchellg]

Wonderful lesson! Thank you!

[@leebodean1493]

Probably the best flat picking lesson I have seen, so far. Well done.

[@johnmacmillan627]

Excellent lesson! Thank you. Will follow

[@conanthedestroyer7123]

Your guitar sounds awesome!

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

Watch our newest flatpicking lesson with Alan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIWZeXmuetV5h6M

You got me! Thanks so much for this engaging way to start Flatpicking!

[@kimalton6556]

You are my new hero. Thank You for or this i am So psyched to practice!

[@cp1198pc]

what's a good lesson to turn to after this one? Thanks for this. Great licks that are easy enough to learn for a new flatpicker.

[@MaurizioMusic]

nice job my friend - I picked up a few licks - learning never ends! 🙂

[@dieselman7453]

Like that guitar bro looks class Cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@glenryseff9858]

Great lesson thanks

[@bjm2762]

Looks like some fun examples. Can't wait to try them. I presume you play the first example on each of the strings? Great video, cheers

[@alanbarnosky5566]

You can do it on each string but not really necessary, the skill transfers pretty easily to the other strings. I think the most important thing is to do it often even if it’s just one string for a short amount of time

[@daningram3143]

Great information brother!!!

[@magicdaveable]

I flatpick from the nut to the 20th fret on my cutaway acoustic. I flatpick to the 24th fret on my electric solid body. I have been flatpicking for over 50 years. The key is to practice, practice, practice.

[@jdhaole7650]

You entirely missed the point

[@tristanbellows4029]

Well my dad was a guitar so.

[@logofthelex2668]

That guitar must be huge!

[@rickturner882]

He puts a capo on the 21st fret. Lol JK Thanks for the advice.

[@wheninroamful]

That’s several thousands flatpicked notes a year!!!!! At least. 😅

[@rosemarylambin7204]

Good lesson! I mostly play finger style, but want to learn some flatpicking, too.

[@homeworshipwithmartyandamy7754]

Thank you I will give this a try.

[@StillPointStudio]

Yeah great lesson!

[@toddmcmahon3360]

Great tutorial.

[@TheBamaKid1962]

I could listen to you play for DAYS! So I reckon I'll just get my gitter out and practice!!!

[@Illinois-Wildlife-Encounters]

New fan here! Thanks for putting this out there.....

[@jandouglas5013]

great lesson, BTW!

[@vicjohnson5047]

That is a sweet sounding guitar.

[@paramesvaridasa5167]

Great lesson thank you very much Hay. What kind of guitar is at your place?

[@oinkooink]

I can pick. I just don't know what notes to play. Bluegrass has roughly a zillion notes per minute. I usually run out of ideas after the first 3 or 4 notes. Kind of a problem.

[@teddyboy252]

Good job

[@myfavorites360]

I don''t flat pick, but love your lessons. Keep it up.

[@butchd18]

That's am awesome lesson super flatpicking

[@darrylweller6143]

So good

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

Follow along with the TAB/notation here: acousticguitar.com/learn-the-fundamentals-of-flatpicking-on-guitar/

[@chrisbaddeley5766]

Love thre tone of your guitar! What make and model is it please?

[@user-nk3qx9ko3w]

Great lesson. What is the song in the intro?

[@corky1548]

Cool dude 😎

[@roberthale2268]

Nice. What kind of guitar is that?

[@Melvorgazh]

Heyo! I was wondering if by any chance you knew about videos teaching the rolls and cuts on the guitar? I have seen some flute and fiddle video lessons about those ornementations. Regards.

[@alanbarnosky5566]

I don’t think I’ve heard of rolls and cuts. Love the name of it though

[@Melvorgazh]

@@alanbarnosky5566 Ah! Hi sorry for late reply. Eh, I’ll get back to you about those ornaments shortly. :) I like their names too. Those sound cool and smart.

[@Melvorgazh]

@@alanbarnosky5566 Hi Alan, This is an introduction to the roll by Shannon Heaton from Boston. It’s on the flute but let me seek back for you one on the fiddle which is closer to the guitar as it is a string instrument. I tried to copy/paste the link but strangely it doesn’t work. If you search Shannon Heaton ornemantations you’ll find it quickly. :)

[@Melvorgazh]

There is also Hannah Harris titled: The secret to practice Irish rolls. I haven’t seen any guitar version sadly. I guess it’s like a succession of pull-off’s and hammer-on’s but it’s very confused in my head, especially with the “cuts”. Cheers, Thomas from Belgium.

[@joshuabrown2248]

Thanks bro

[@RsqSqr]

Which guitar are you using?

[@PartBear]

I’m tuned to 432 also, right on!

[@rickharris7786]

Great teacher….. where have you been? 😄🎶

[@CCTOOLE]

Example two that g run what’s he doing with left hand?

[@dmac5678]

is flatpicking the same as alternate picking?

[@rosemarylambin7204]

Which issue of AG is this in.

[@billdedrick1914]

Great job....nice tone on that Huffman...What strings and gauge used? What flat pick, model and thickness used?

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Thanks - I use medium elixirs on that guitar. I was probably using a blue chip TAD 40 or 50 for that video but it’s been a while so not exactly sure!

[@billdedrick1914]

@@alanbarnosky5566 Nice, the tone and bottom end remind me of my exceptional 2002 HD28V Martin..

[@monkmonk1144]

Qual a marca dessa acoustic guitar?

[@darrylweller6143]

What kind of guitar is that?

[@jandouglas5013]

This may be a moot point, but is there a specific way to hold the pick that is most advantageous?

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Hey Jan - the important thing is for your hand to be relaxed and natural. Shake out your hand a bit and your thumb will probably gently rest against your index finger. That’s where the pick goes. That’s all there is to it!

[@peterabbey1539]

Apologies if answered previously...Can you tell us about your guitar. Looks and sounds beautiful!

[@vincentlussier8264]

Wow! That's so like Molly Tuttle!

[@Shortcutguitlssns]

What was that capo?

[@SkeetShooter515]

I have been playing the guitar for a long time now but I learned most of the songs I listen to. What songs should learn to play on the acoustic guitar?

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

We have TAB and notation for a lot of songs on our website. New and classic instrumental pieces: acousticguitar.com/category/lessons/songs/instrumentals. Songs to sing and play: acousticguitar.com/category/lessons/songs/sing-and-play

[@SkeetShooter515]

@@AcousticGuitarMag I’m not gonna spend money to play your tabs I have ultimate guitar

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

@@SkeetShooter515 OK, enjoy!

[@bswann3469]

That guitar has some serious bass

[@davestambaugh7282]

So if I play first position in the key of D with out a capo then I am still flat picking but not blue grass. Right???

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Songs in D can be played open or with capo 2 out of the C shape. Which one to choose often comes down to the song itself, and really your own preference. I’ve got a column with Acoustic Guitar for the tune Old Grimes, played it out D no capo, you can search for it as an example.

[@davestambaugh7282]

@@alanbarnosky5566 What about when it is not a song at all but a fiddle tune . You know the kind of music that does not tell some story that people used to dance to.

[@alanbarnosky5566]

@@davestambaugh7282 Up to you! Both D shape and C shape (2nd fret) have their advantages. Check out this vid for an example of a fiddle tune in open D kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJaoq4CZpZicisk

[@rdekemper]

More!

[@scoho2000]

What is the name of the tune he's playing in the intro? Does he teach it anywhere?

[@pascaljeanne6520]

helloman , very long time ago i play with a bluegrass band , in france and belgium and switzerland ! they were very good , we play in festivals , with doc and tony lol ! i played bass and the guitarist was so good ! denis queille ! a swiss guy , and henri rosset on the banjo ! i love that music ! cool!

[@pascaljeanne6520]

denis played very fast licks oh man !

[@marktabscott5803]

What kind of guitar is that? Very nice!!!!!!

[@davepearce2070]

Which metronome app do you suggest? There are a lot of them!

[@alanbarnosky5566]

I like Pro Metronome! There’s a built in timer, and also a lot of options for subdivisions and also long clicks (like a click only every 4 measures). I’m sure there’s a lot of other good ones out there too

[@colinpadley1897]

Great lesson, what's the guitar please?

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Huffman, a builder from Smithfield NC

[@dakotahstr]

I wish i could do that

[@f69tele]

What gauge pick do you use?

[@alanbarnosky5566]

I usually use around 1mm

[@giroudsbrother9450]

What guitar is that?!

[@robertshorthill6836]

If you want to learn flatpicking, get a decent mandolin. Then when you understand that a bit, go to guitar. Pretty soon you will become a decent flatpicker. Aso, study Norman Blake. He is a good old time picker of fiddle and folk tunes that are so obscure it's a shame. But if a person cares, there is a whole universe of great, great tunes waiting to be played at festivals and jams. I hope you find other pickers interested in your finds. Bob in Montana

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

Thanks, Bob. Have you checked this lesson Alan did on Norman Blake's Flatpicking style? acousticguitar.com/how-to-flatpick-like-roots-legend-norman-blake/

[@folksurvival]

Why mandolin? I never thought of Norman Blake as obscure.

[@cburns3256]

Simple, yet complicated.

[@danr5105]

Hi. I am an older player closing in on my third year on guitar. I want to take music theory at my Community College. I ask if you think it is "worth it". Thanks. Here is a course description. Book in under 20.00. Introduction to fundamentals of music designed to develop basic literacy in music. Includes definitions and notation, rhythm and meter, intervals, scales and transposition, key signatures, triads, chords and harmony, and simple forms.

[@colethompson306]

I took a music theory class at University my second year of playing and though it was very demanding it’s worth it and will change the way you view the guitar. Keep in mind that everything you do will (probably) be based around the piano so make sure to learn your note names on the guitar so it is easy to translate.

[@danr5105]

@@colethompson306 Hello Cole, thanks for that tip.Naming the notes I am playing is a big push as is with most that has a technical linkage. I am enjoying most videos that start out with something like "hre is your guitar fretboard on keys". Thanks again.

[@manbat1011]

7:35

[@papszi83]

hi, what brand is that guitar? thanks

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Hey Peter - its a custom build from Huffman Guitars in Smithfield NC.

[@charlespatrick8650]

@@alanbarnosky5566 watching this on a tiny screen on my iphone, and was trying to figure out what model Martin the guitar is, before seeing this comment, and finally seeing that's not the Martin logo on the headstock 😂

[@steveb9325]

@@alanbarnosky5566 thank you! On my little screen thought maybe Collings. Appreciate the info

[@relevantusername88]

Man, why even fight that insane beard you can undoubtedly grow. Set that thing free!

[@thrimnak1]

What is that nice guitar you’re playing on ?

[@danadardenful]

What kind of capo do you use?

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Hi Dana, I like the Paige capo

[@cotyreed047360]

Need more time on 3rd example!

[@priestmorrison6564]

Boy, *you MOVIN like my Math Teacher...WHEW!?

[@rosemarylambin7204]

Which issue of AG is this in?

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

Hi Rosemary, this is an online-only lesson at this point. You can see the TAB/notation here: acousticguitar.com/learn-the-fundamentals-of-flatpicking-on-guitar/

[@businessleo]

Im confused Where are the examples?

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

You can read the TAB/notation for this lesson our on website: acousticguitar.com/learn-the-fundamentals-of-flatpicking-on-guitar/

[@graycrom]

OH MY GOD , I've played for nigh on 40 years and this is messing with my mind. The notes are easy the speed is easy, the pick...ARRGGH. That first one I can just down pick the g a d b and hammer on the rest. my brain just won't do the up pick on the b flat and d

[@paulmitchell5349]

Why ''flat'' picking? What is flat ?

[@keithpetersen9196]

Your wrist

[@resolute7627]

your 3rd is a tad flat. it's killin me. lol

[@Rowen170]

Wish you would have taught what you played at the beginning on video.

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Ha thanks! That was actually just a bit of noodling to kick of the video. It ends with one of licks I show later on

[@lancebarbarino8178]

That's some bluegrass picking son.

[@patrickbush9526]

You forgot his named after Lester Flatt

[@tieguyscollectibles9767]

It looks very difficult

[@markforrestsr2242]

I subscribed, but maybe prematurely? Are you going to tell us what you're doing, or just do it, and expect us to get it? Too many great pickers, can't teach! Please explain what you're doing, and not expect us to figure it out.

[@alanbarnosky5566]

Hey thanks, this video is meant to accompany the tab and text at the AG website (link in description), so finding that should help show you what I’m actually playing. Without that tab I agree this would be very confusing. If you’re not a tab reader I would definitely recommend learning, lots of good info out there is in tab format.

[@chrisanderson8094]

a second camera on your left hand would be 2X helpful...

[@tylerstorer287]

slow down homie

[@lorenvguitar614]

Not to be rude, too much explaining. Play something and play some more please.

[@aubreynoftall3830]

nice song brian!....guitar playing is half decent....i disagree with the d minor chord....sounds bad......the crosspicking is awkward and ome of the bass runs isnt suitable...but hey nobodys perfect....including me....love the song...the high kings version is pretty good

[@DaveScarcella]

Blah blah blah, talk talk talk...lesson starts at 4:40

[@rzz9594]

He only shows he expertise , great player. Just talk you should talk a little bit more about that …. But get a seat on the View … quit playing and talk more ,more .,more ..quit playing just talk .,