My Thoughts on Fingerstyle Technique... | Lesson

Hey all! Sorry it took me so long to get to this. Hope this video helps out plenty of you who are thinking about switching over to Fingerstyle guitar, but have been nervous about doing so. Enjoy!
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[@JuanDhas]

I'm sure I missed something in this, but feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I'll do my best to answer anything I may have glossed over in the video,

[@davidsummerville351]

I ditched the pick after 20 something years, then picked it up again after 16 years. I love doing both, really changes things up. I've been playing for 53 years now. Dynamics are the key to developing individuality.

[@JuanDhas]

Beautifully said, and 100% agree on dynamics. That was a game changer for me.

[@cameronedwards6413]

Fellow student of Daniele's! A great and valuable video, I am a bass guitarist myself but there is a lot of crossover in the tonal diversity achievable through a fingerstyle-oriented technique.

[@JuanDhas]

@@cameronedwards6413 Thanks so much! Yes, I had the privilege of working with Daniele for about 6 months or so. Learning from, and performing with him was a fantastic experience!

[@piperofsimms]

You've got the touch. I love feeling the strings. Knock 'em dead. You sound great. Tucson, AZ.

[@JuanDhas]

@@piperofsimms Really appreciate it!

[@metallica3604]

First second of playing.. I subscribed

[@JuanDhas]

@@metallica3604 Thanks for subscribing!

[@danobrien9925]

The whole world needs to hear this man's phenomenal playing ✨✨

[@JuanDhas]

@@danobrien9925 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@wack5416]

You're playing is always refreshing and beautiful. Excited to watch the lesson

[@JuanDhas]

@@wack5416 Thank you!

[@Dilla4life]

Very nice! 🙏🏻

[@JuanDhas]

Thank you!

[@Dilla4life]

Just downloaded three albums of yours. Your free playing is really inspirational and creative…looking forward to delving into it

[@JuanDhas]

@@Dilla4life Really appreciate you doing so! Hope you enjoy the music!

[@mooseymoose]

I played for 5 years with a pick, until I started paying attention to classical guitarists techniques (36 years of playing now). I suggest a study of counterpoint to unlock the polyphony available with fingerstyle. Linear/scalar approaches are only the starting point. You'll have a lot of brain melting left hand coordination to get through (I call em tongue twisters for the fingers) but it's totally worth it.

[@JuanDhas]

@@mooseymoose I occasionally read through Bach chorales for some polyphonic stuff, but thanks for the reminder to revisit that and find other things!

[@mooseymoose]

@@JuanDhas I recommend The Contrapuntal Harmonic Technique of the 18th Century by Alan Irvine McHose if you can locate a copy. It's a gold mine of information.

[@JuanDhas]

@@mooseymoose Thank you! I'll keep an eye out for it.

[@marzbitenhaussen]

thank you for the insights, great playing and beautiful Kiesel you have, cheers

[@JuanDhas]

@@marzbitenhaussen Thanks so much!

[@folo9]

amazing content, I found out this video by coincidence and loved it. From the approach to the explanation, many thanks!

[@JuanDhas]

@@folo9 Glad to hear it helped you!

[@ShaneWilson]

Excellent video, love the very first pointer. Play from the four arm. I find I am sort of attacking the guitar with the fingers when I am trying to get more volume or pushing it. Very helpful! Great sound!

[@JuanDhas]

Thanks, Shane! Funnily enough, that also applies for left hand technique. If I can add, almost imagine that your finger is travelling through (or across) the string, as opposed to getting under it and plucking. That can also help alleviate a few concerns regarding tension. Hope this helps!

[@JuanDhas]

Also, regarding volume on electric instruments. While dynamic control from the fingers is essential, you can try setting your amp louder than normal and using your volume knob in conjunction with your fingers. Helps a ton when tryin to cut through a band mix.

[@ShaneWilson]

@@JuanDhas Very helpful Juan, thank you so much!

[@TheDonutDoctor]

the master at work!

[@JuanDhas]

@@TheDonutDoctor Thanks, dude! Catch-up long overdue

[@nhut9801]

Thanks. I like your style

[@JuanDhas]

@@nhut9801 Thanks for tuning in!

[@stevencsmith7644]

Great tone as usual. Even more with the new Kiesel. What amp and effects are you playing through?

[@JuanDhas]

Thanks, Steven! Still using the Quilter Overdrive 200 going into an Egnater 2x12. I have a Neunaber Immerse Reverb pedal in the FX loop of the amp. Otherwise, it's just Guitar -> Cable -> Amp!

[@arataka57]

I wonder about strumming: that's something that playing with a pick offers more I think.

[@JuanDhas]

@@arataka57 I'd say it depends on the style you're going for. If it's in line with the Flamenco tradition (rasgueado - also found in some Latin American styles), then that's totally doable, and you can get by with a lot for other genres as well. If it's particularly strumming heavy like some Bluegrass or Funk/Groove styles, then I'd say use a pick (especially as the sound itself is also dependent on the actual pick too)

[@arataka57]

@@JuanDhas I come from a classical gtr tradition but I feel still ambivalent about using finger style versus a pick. At a high volume playing finger style can present a big challenge. I noticed some of the great switched later to finger-style like Joe Pass. However Johnny Smith played incredible stuff using a pick. I'm still searching...

[@JuanDhas]

@@arataka57 Yeah, you definitely lose projection. I've had to compensate by pushing my amp harder, so that I can still play light and not overload the string with the right hand (means constant riding of the volume knob though). More of the Derek Trucks school of thought when it comes to playing with fingerstyle. To your point though, if you have to strum loud, especially on something like a steel-string acoustic, I'd definitely use a pick instead. In that scenario, it's just too troublesome to try keep that up with only fingers. In short, choose what feels good for what you want to play!

[@arataka57]

@@JuanDhas sometimes I use a thumb pick. I guess it sort of helps but it ain't the same as playing with a pick.

[@JuanDhas]

@@arataka57 I have a friend who does the same (has a great channel here on YT called Streetwise Guitar). I've personally found them to feel a little strange, but definitely a possible alternative for some.