First you learn the rules. Then you master the rules. Then you break all the rules and develop your own style.
@binocencio7105 жыл бұрын
For me, the most important point that you made was the one about “patterns”. They indeed may be easy by themselves, but playing the thumb/finger patterns at the same time can seem impossible at first. The key is persistence and speed, or should I say lack of speed. Go very slowly at first and keep repeating as many times as you can… over and over and over. Then put the guitar away and come back in several hours, or maybe the next day. Something seems to happen during the break - the next time you play it, you notice muscle memory kicking in and it starts to become much easier. It never stops surprising me and makes me wonder what happened while the guitar was in its case!
@dawnkirkbride64665 жыл бұрын
spot on this,didn't think it was possible for me as my brain just melted down.every time but I've persisted and I'd say in just one session it finally clicked.should say I'm doing blues stuff as appose to the full on Travis pick but it's still a breakthrough for me. Practice is the only way and remember that we aint worthy of sounding great until we put the time in.
@solartrox5782 Жыл бұрын
Yes, it's just amazing how the brain works on it "automatically"as you go about your other stuff or sleep.
@joelleklokkers41245 жыл бұрын
For me fingerstyle feels like dancing. It's my favorite type to play the guitar. :)
@ssagee41014 жыл бұрын
Another important mistake: Focus. This happened with me, so I assume there might be people who're facing the same issue. I knew how to play fingerstyle well, my muscle memory was on point, and my sense of rhythm was solid. Yet, I used to make mistakes, predominantly while fretting. I couldn't understand why this was happening. Now that I know, I'll share: it's mostly because of a lack of focus and calmness of the mind. Fingerstyle is a very delicate style of playing the guitar. When your mind's in a state of serenity, you play well. My advice: Forget the world, lose yourself in the music, and then play. :) If this helps even a single person, my job here is done.
@SatyamKumar-ts2jh3 жыл бұрын
So true! Whenever I try to record my guitar, i suck, but when i dont, I sound decent. While recording, I think i care too much about the recording itself, and forget about the music...
@seju27893 жыл бұрын
@@SatyamKumar-ts2jh relate
@That.Guy.3 жыл бұрын
Brah, your “girlfriend” is trans
@MrArchie7652 жыл бұрын
Great advice Sage, thank you.
@blueser1005 жыл бұрын
Nice review of key points to better fingerstyle playing. But I got distracted by the couch cushion Tony is sitting on, worried he would slip off edge any minute. 😬 (This is Diana P from TAC, by the way. 😁)
@sharontiano13485 жыл бұрын
I have been anchoring my pinky since I started playing. I am glad you said it was okay to do that. I worried that I was doing something wrong since a lot of people say you shouldn't.
@Fsuholley5 жыл бұрын
Sharon Tiano I have had many older players say dont put the pinky down. I saw an interview with Tommy Emmanuel and he recommended putting it down. Tommy says okay then its okay.
@Tamburo525 жыл бұрын
Personally, I do both, and it’s all dependent on what I’m playing. I can’t keep my pinky down while employing my ring finger, so if the song calls for it, I pick it up. If the song only requires me to use thumb, index, middle, I put it down because my hand won’t be moving much and it’s more comfortable/accurate that way. If the song requires a lot of movement or percussive thumb slaps, I have no problem picking the pinky up because I use the percussives as a reference point for my other fingers when my thumb hits that low E. Learning the intro to Nothing Else Matters really helped me get comfortable with not having my pinky down.
@binocencio7105 жыл бұрын
Hi Sharon. I anchor down with my pinky sometimes, and then sometimes I don’t. It depends on the song and whatever makes me feel comfortable. The “nay sayers” insist that it affects the resonance of the guitar. Are you able to hear the difference? I can’t. And anyone that does must have ears from the planet Krypton. Do what feels right and enjoy the show… your show.
@sharontiano13485 жыл бұрын
@@binocencio710 I can't hear a difference but usually that's cause there are dogs barking and someone else playing. LOL. Hope all is well with you
@binocencio7105 жыл бұрын
@@sharontiano1348 Ahh yes... the "barking dogs" issue. I'm right there with ya! I don't have the "someone else playing issue", though. Wish I did. I'm doing fine. Hoping you and Dom are good as well.
@richardcurry28045 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tony. As a newby to fingerpicking your lesson provided great clarity. You are a legend!
@nishagoyal3795 ай бұрын
You had a great lesson you taught everything very simplified!
@SuperShawn20208 ай бұрын
I’m all in for Tony’s Acoustic Challenge. 😎
@robertnewell50573 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Tony. Only one thing - not a single high level classical guitar player uses the finger/heel plant approach. This is because it limits the range of attack, the angle of stroke and finger independence. Additionally, planting the heel destroys the arch of the hand. Instead, classical players use the position of the upper arm against the lower bout of the guitar as the reference point, as well as 'planting' the fingers on their appointed strngs whenever possible before playing notes on those strings. This is a similar principle to pick blocking on dobro and pedal steel, and broadly requires as many strings as possible to be muted when their sound is unwanted, but carries the additional advantage that the finger is there, on the correct string, ahead of time and ready to play. Using the arm as the reference point is more difficult on the banjo because the body of the instrument is so much smaller, and that is how resting the finger(s) on the head developed, at least in bluegrass playing. In many old-time banjo styles, especially frailing (which is fast and super accurate). the finger(s) are not braced. I play fingerstyle guitar and bluegrass banjo. I always brace on banjo, but never do on guitar. Having said all that, and while I would not recommend bracing on a guitar, many great non-classical fingerstyle players do so and have excellent results.
@Tamburo525 жыл бұрын
Love that you made a fingerstyle vid Tony. Great fingerstyle isn’t what got me into guitar, but it’s what made me fall in love with it and want to learn. Hope to see more fingerstyle vids in the future!
@lonestarpatriot8762 жыл бұрын
Been playing for 6 months. I immediately took to fingerstyle playing over using a pick. It just came natural to me. My picks rarely get used. As a beginner I still have to work hard and work on technique always. And I play atleast 3-4 hours every day, but playing fingerstyle just seems easier to me no matter what I am doing. I do it so much that I have to remind myself to work with a pick because I like alot of different genres of music. They don't all require fingerstyle. One key is starting the pattern slow, and as you said, breaking them down into small parts. Speed comes through repetition because of our brain signaling. Myelin, which is like conduit, is built around the nerves. The more you do an action, the more Myelin is built around those nerves used for that action. That allows for better signaling from the brain through the nerves. With better signaling, comes faster speed. This is the same concept as an athlete using a speed ladder and this is why they do it. You often hear it referred to as "muscle memory" which is not really correct as our muscles don't actually have memory.
@vwbeetle72jellybeen5 жыл бұрын
Great tips for those of us living a life of learning the guitar! I'm just as guilty as the next guy of trying to drink from the fire hose and just jump right in and do the whole song off the bat, then for no reason at all but foolishness, I'd get angry and frustrated. Break it down into learnable segments and go slow slow slow, then incrementally increase your tempo.
@jamesn55953 жыл бұрын
I did the same, lol. Watch Jorma Kaukenon play Embryonic Journey, and think, hmmmm, i can play the chords, that won't take long. Ya, right!!! Sticking with the basic Travis style with easy cowboy chords is where i'm at after almost a year. Move slowly, learn correctly, and practice practice practice. Getting good headaches stretching my pea sized brain. The fans will have to wait. lol. (when i was a kid, i had an orange '72 Super Beetle for a couple years)
@terrywepner40027 ай бұрын
Good for us to have you help. Thank you!!
@stormstudios1 Жыл бұрын
another thing is if your on a electric guitar, its easier to do fingerstyle if you move your arm more up the body so its more at the angle it would be with an acoustic
@mimicgaming64614 жыл бұрын
You actually taught me something unlike other guitarists on youtube
@ritsnay47173 жыл бұрын
If u have short hands then put ur pinky finger on bottom for stability its better cause if u put ur wrist on uper surface ur fingers won't reach the E string and ur thumb will also face problem. Cheers practice makes a person perfect💯👏
@DiceOnYoutube3 жыл бұрын
So. My friend recently pointed out to me that I play fingerstyle oddly. Most people play with their thumb, index, middle, then ring finger. Where as I play with thumb, ring, middle, then index finger last. So it's backwards. I've been playing fingerstyle for around two years like this and just wanted some opinions on if this may be something that could limit my learning in the future. I don't find it uncomfortable to play this way and the "correct way" feels odd. Thanks :)
@dustytrailscactusron5 жыл бұрын
Excellent lesson from the guitar wizard himself. (As evidenced by his mad guitar skills and mighty beard!) Thanks for that, I'll be using this lesson forever. You just made me a better guitar player!
@bcain58233 жыл бұрын
Just saw this video and have scanned through most of the comments. Most talk about using and not using the pinky. I've been playing guitar for over 50 years; mostly electric (back in the day) but migrated mainly to steel string acoustic the last 30. Didn't start trying fingerstyle until a few years ago and not very often. On fingernails or not, I'm still in the air on which is better. I also play bass and noticed that long fingernails on the right hand just doesn't work, so guess I'm stuck with using the meat. One issue I have with this is that I have fat fingers and tend to hit or mute adjacent strings when plucking. On pinky, I prefer anchoring it. I'm a left hander that plays guitar right-handed. Chording with the left hand feels more natural to me but wonder if my less dominant right hand could be deterring my fingerstyle ability? Doesn't matter because I ain't gonna switch to playing left handed. :-)
@jamesn55953 жыл бұрын
There's timing, and then there is getting in the groove. Decades of busker strumming and I still sound very mechanical after about a year of practicing beginner fingerstyle. (and i'm not very good anyway). Practice practice practice!!!!
@the_glove5 жыл бұрын
I usually play with my guitar at a 45 degree angel to keep a straight wrist as well when finger picking . If I'm playing Travis style I play at 90 degree angle so I can get my thumb over the 5th and 6th string. Posture is incredibly important
@maxherron13765 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tony. I learn something from every one of your videos.
@davidmc84785 жыл бұрын
Such a good presenter and teacher
@kaadhalveri75273 жыл бұрын
Great lesson Sir, tq very much for uploading !
@markgaudet44035 жыл бұрын
Making it simple with a plan. Love it
@nathanmarineau39937 ай бұрын
Hmm... I've been playing fingerstye for years with my hand just floating above the strings. Is that quite unusual? It feels comfortable to me and I have good accuracy.
@tch7174 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Thanks for those important points, that has enlightened me along my journey become better player. I am sure fellow finger style guitarist will benefited from this.
@itsallaroundyou70853 жыл бұрын
As far as getting more punch I find having short yet active fingernails the best. Pad then nail right on release for real pop. Also I would recommend learning 5, 4, and 2 finger style. Five is the most efficient, 4 is the easiest, two is a unique style in its self. You can do things you can't do any other way. For sloppy sounding blues like lightning Hopkins and the rev. Two is the way to go. 3 is useless. Unless that is what works for you then it is the most useful lol.
@brad-scottgirod9324 Жыл бұрын
Hello Tony-I am searching for a guitar teacher. Apparently you give lessons and I’m wondering how I would proceed. All I used to play was finger style at Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto. That was a long time ago. I am now into my “Bucket List”. I am a bigginer ginger again.😊 I will try to find you on Facebook. Brad
@dariuspap15 жыл бұрын
Hi Tony! The flamenco finger style technique could be aplied on acoustic guitar? Technics like rasgueado, abanico, alzapua, golpe?
@mvh28345 жыл бұрын
Of course why not
@brandonthompson19955 жыл бұрын
Finger style is 50x easier than anything else, I can not play with a pick ❌
@HeartbreakerGuitars5 жыл бұрын
Great lesson Tony per usual...
@chimkinnugget52212 жыл бұрын
What if I anchor my palm on the bridge? feels most comfortable for me there and I pick with a electric guitar so the glossy paint feels slippery
@nicolen.96425 жыл бұрын
Got it. The thing is I get so nervous that I still hit the wrong string...Thanks for sharing!
@jimdoner34435 жыл бұрын
Relax start slow build speed after accuracy you can do it. Practice practice practice ...
@nicolen.96425 жыл бұрын
Jim Doner Thank you! I've started recently to do that, cutting on the anxiety... It works. I appreciate! 🤗
@erdogan3303 жыл бұрын
thank you great lesson.
@freesk85 жыл бұрын
Great lesson! Thanks!
@billhess52485 жыл бұрын
Very good information made simple
@dakotahstr Жыл бұрын
I place my fingers the right way like you and practice without chords but I can fingerpick once through and the next I screw up. I practice 10 to 20 mins a day. I must have a problem in my brain to learn
@Gurumoorthyonstrings5 жыл бұрын
Very informative. Thanks Tony bro🤗
@slodakini5 жыл бұрын
You are awesome Toni!
@saturninsakowski33275 жыл бұрын
Thank's You Tony 😃
@jimmyjams50384 ай бұрын
What if i like using my pinky to finger pick? I cant seem to find anyone covering this.
@Asmogrim5 жыл бұрын
This was awesome. Thank you.
@mattbortz102 жыл бұрын
Most guitar players I know think finger style is impossible. I will say, it can be difficult to learn and takes a lot of practice, just like anything. The first song I learned was Randy Rhodes "Dee" which threw me in way too fast. 20 years later, finger picking is a much easier technique.
@martinhlavac16575 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot!
@thodafunthodagyan49005 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir.
@BreadLightPray_EWFMgtr4 жыл бұрын
🔵 thanks ! gudd points !! 💙
@sentzzjmr68713 жыл бұрын
how about if i use pinky finger for high E string . .is it wrong? . becoz i do that all the time .
@lowellcalavera60453 жыл бұрын
Good vid. Jorma braces his pinky.
@shakibishere3 жыл бұрын
I got my finger tip chopped when i was little. No i got really bad nail and cant do nail picking anyway😥
@gilbertachsen47345 жыл бұрын
Hello Mr. P.. That looks like a 12 fret cutaway you're strumming, something i've been into for a while. Can you indicate the model, please. Thanks much.
@lordjs97265 жыл бұрын
Is that guitar a Martin?
@amanduslundh_40105 жыл бұрын
Wohow feeling Whitney
@dawiophikisutnga21485 жыл бұрын
can you plz teach on my way
@Tonetwisters5 жыл бұрын
Growing and keeping decent fingernails would do a boatload of "hot dog!" for this old man ...
@shikhar70363 жыл бұрын
I am getting so frustrated playing fingerstyle MAN! Playing with the thumb and the other 3 fingers almost at the same time is just so difficult. I play with my ring finger and automatically my index finger plays. My hand is just too uncomfortable on this. Ahh learning guitar is getting tougher day after day.
@outdoorsman93844 жыл бұрын
Tony, just subscribed to your channel want to learn finger style can you help me start my lessons,,,I want to buy that Taylor KOA Minni E I love the looks and sound of that guitar and if I buy it, that means I really want to learn to play and get good,,what's your thoughts
@lukeswa.n3 жыл бұрын
Thought it was incorrect technique to plant the base of your palm above the sound hole, so at least I know I'm not doing something wrong
@TPITEOTG11 ай бұрын
Wow, Paco de Lucia makes all these mistakes!!!
@udayanmustafi39632 жыл бұрын
🎸
@davidjduerr2 жыл бұрын
Some say it’s a no no if you don’t plant your pinky when playing banjo haha
@ralex36973 жыл бұрын
Anchoring my pinky is really difficult because it is undersized, I was not blessed with long pinkies
@turkmusik2 жыл бұрын
There's a real problem with assigning a finger to a treble string. You can't do alternate picking, and so your sound lacks rhythm and smoothness.
@jamesmorrison20635 жыл бұрын
How can I use finger picks when I have nails? Anyone?
@robertnewell50573 жыл бұрын
I use picks on dobro and banjo, but not guitar and I am a nail player. You need to experiment with different nail lengths and profiles (properly rounded and not too wide). Classical guitar forums have hours on this! Similarly experiment with how you wear your picks, altering angle (how bent thie pick is) and orientation (where it sits on your finger, both in terms of how far it extends and whether it is straight in line with your finger or at a slight sideways angle - some people find angling the picks so they are slightly off centre helps). Finally, bending the picks so that they are as close as possible to your actual nail can help. Credit to Tony Trischka for all this stuff on picks; I was at a workshop with him where he went into great detail about pick angle and profile. Difficult to put into words, I regret.
@jamesmorrison20633 жыл бұрын
@@robertnewell5057 It took a couple months to get my finger nails shaped where they work for me. I use fiberglass tape and nail glue like James Taylor. Thanks Robert for your experienced insight into finger picks. It will save me some time and probably some frustration. Cheers!
@robertnewell50573 жыл бұрын
@@jamesmorrison2063 Cheers! The JT method is very good. The only alteration I made was to put the tape just over the white part of the nail, letting as much as psossible have the air get to it.
@jamesmorrison20633 жыл бұрын
@@robertnewell5057 I will try that the next time I replace them. I may have to add a little cotton behind them with nail glue to make a "ramp" so they don't catch on things. I've had them catch on things before. Like flat picking. I'm single and do chores like washing dishes, general cleaning, etc. that can have negative effects on them sometimes. A little less glue my help. Thanks again!
@robertnewell50573 жыл бұрын
@@jamesmorrison2063 James, I've decreased the number of thicknesses of tape I use to 1. I only use 2 or more if I have a broken nail. I use water thin Zap CA glue or Elegant Touch brush on nail glue and find that makes the total depth quite thin. I build the ramp with a little extra glue if I need to. I make guitars as a hobby, so my nails come in for a bit of a beating. Consquently I really rely on the tape to protect my nails outside of playing, and regard replacing the tape as 'running repairs'.
@rong6483 жыл бұрын
My mistake was that my action was too low.
@jasper_north2 ай бұрын
First!
@rabonour9 ай бұрын
"You need to anchor your pinky or palm" is really bad advice. Both can cause injury and neither is necessary for string fingerstyle playing.
@Filthy_Rich_5565 жыл бұрын
Learning finger style from Tony's casting couch...
@fishcakez4 жыл бұрын
me a classical guitarists: 😳
@thomasnowicki58445 жыл бұрын
First of all, anchoring your pinky, any finger, or the heel of the picking hand anywhere on the top of the guitar IS a no-no, period! Case closed. Putting any part of the picking hand on the top affects proper resonance of the top, (especially on a classical guitar) and if you want good tone that's exactly what you shouldn't do. Besides, any finger you put on the top takes that finger out of the equation for picking a string. I like his suggestion of using finger picks, I never could stand having long nails, especially on just the picking hand. His suggestion for breaking songs down and looking for patterns was spot on 👍So many guitarists simply don't learn good practice techniques, which can make them struggle that much more.
@Tamburo525 жыл бұрын
Some hack named Tommy Emmanuel (among many others) would disagree.
@thomasnowicki58445 жыл бұрын
Tamburo52 sorry, not buying it. I went back and watched his finger picking lesson on Reverb.com, he talked about how and why it was ok to anchor fingers on the picking hand. Then I watched him play live, and the pieces he was playing (not just the advanced stuff) made anchoring impossible, thus contradicting what he was saying. I understand why some teachers say it might be necessary for beginners, but my philosophy still is, "DON'T start off with a bad habit, and you'll never have to unlearn it".
@paullehmor9825 жыл бұрын
Wrong hand positions can cause tendon injuries if used for longer periods. Check out what Alice Artzt has to say on the subject kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZK2XopmjKajbrM
@user-zq4dy2jc2c Жыл бұрын
Yo bro that is worst plucking ever. I bet you cant do tremolo with that plucking.