Top 5 Fingerstyle Guitar Mistakes (Are YOU Making One?)

In today’s lesson, we are going to cover the top 5 biggest mistakes guitar players make when fingerpicking.
Fingerstyle guitar playing is a difficult, but rewarding way to play your guitar.
Here are the top fingerpicking mistakes fingerstyle guitarists make:
1. Hitting the Wrong Strings
2. Picking Hand Position
3. Flicking the Strings
4. Limiting your Technique
5. Too Much, Too Fast
Get the TAB!: acousticlife.tv/top-5-fingers...
We wanted to create an exercise that proved fingerstyle guitar doesn’t have to be insanely difficult. So, start by grabbing a chord. In this example, we’ll use a C chord. Assign your fingers - your thumb will cover the A and D string. Meanwhile, the index will cover the G string and the middle finger will cover the B string. Play the A and D strings with your thumb, alternating strings for every downbeat.
Next, start by pinching your thumb and index to strike both strings simultaneously. For the next beat, pinch your thumb and middle finger. Continue doing this until you feel comfortable with the pattern. Finally, stagger the fingerpicking. Instead of playing notes simultaneously, strike the bass strings with your thumb on the downbeats. Then, strike the G and B strings with your index and middle finger on the offbeats respectively.
That's it! Easy, right?
★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: tonypolecastro.com/request-in...
★ Get more!: acousticlife.tv/category/learn/

[@captainkangaroo4301]

First you learn the rules. Then you master the rules. Then you break all the rules and develop your own style.

[@binocencio710]

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!

[@dawnkirkbride6466]

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]

Yes, it's just amazing how the brain works on it "automatically"as you go about your other stuff or sleep.

[@joelleklokkers4124]

For me fingerstyle feels like dancing. It's my favorite type to play the guitar. :)

[@ssagee4101]

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-ts2jh]

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...

[@seju2789]

@@SatyamKumar-ts2jh relate

[@That.Guy.]

Brah, your “girlfriend” is trans

[@MrArchie765]

Great advice Sage, thank you.

[@blueser100]

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. 😁)

[@Tamburo52]

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!

[@richardcurry2804]

Thanks Tony. As a newby to fingerpicking your lesson provided great clarity. You are a legend!

[@freesk8]

Great lesson! Thanks!

[@terrywepner4002]

Good for us to have you help. Thank you!!

[@maxherron1376]

Thanks Tony. I learn something from every one of your videos.

[@mathru86]

Very informative. Thanks Tony bro🤗

[@Asmogrim]

This was awesome. Thank you.

[@saturninsakowski3327]

Thank's You Tony 😃

[@dustytrailscactusron]

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!

[@erdogan330]

thank you great lesson.

[@nishagoyal379]

You had a great lesson you taught everything very simplified!

[@kaadhalveri7527]

Great lesson Sir, tq very much for uploading !

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

Great lesson Tony per usual...

[@tch717]

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.

[@martinhlavac1657]

Thanks a lot!

[@slodakini]

You are awesome Toni!

[@markgaudet4403]

Making it simple with a plan. Love it

[@billhess5248]

Very good information made simple

[@davidmc8478]

Such a good presenter and teacher

[@thodafunthodagyan4900]

Thank you sir.

[@sharontiano1348]

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.

[@Fsuholley]

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.

[@Tamburo52]

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.

[@binocencio710]

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.

[@sharontiano1348]

@@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

[@binocencio710]

@@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.

[@SuperShawn2020]

I’m all in for Tony’s Acoustic Challenge. 😎

[@BreadLightPray_EWFMgtr]

🔵 thanks ! gudd points !! 💙

[@robertnewell5057]

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.

[@mimicgaming6461]

You actually taught me something unlike other guitarists on youtube

[@lonestarpatriot876]

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.

[@gilbertachsen4734]

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.

[@the_glove]

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

[@vwbeetle72jellybeen]

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.

[@jamesn5595]

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)

[@dariuspap1]

Hi Tony! The flamenco finger style technique could be aplied on acoustic guitar? Technics like rasgueado, abanico, alzapua, golpe?

[@mvh2834]

Of course why not

[@bcain5823]

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. :-)

[@amanduslundh_4010]

Wohow feeling Whitney

[@itsallaroundyou7085]

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.

[@DiceOnYoutube]

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 :)

[@ritsnay4717]

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💯👏

[@nicolen.9642]

Got it. The thing is I get so nervous that I still hit the wrong string...Thanks for sharing!

[@jimdoner3443]

Relax start slow build speed after accuracy you can do it. Practice practice practice ...

[@nicolen.9642]

Jim Doner Thank you! I've started recently to do that, cutting on the anxiety... It works. I appreciate! 🤗

[@sentzzjmr6871]

how about if i use pinky finger for high E string . .is it wrong? . becoz i do that all the time .

[@brad-scottgirod9324]

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

[@brandonthompson1995]

Finger style is 50x easier than anything else, I can not play with a pick ❌

[@jamesn5595]

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!!!!

[@chimkinnugget5221]

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

[@stormstudios1]

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

[@outdoorsman9384]

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

[@lowellcalavera6045]

Good vid. Jorma braces his pinky.

[@dakotahstr]

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

[@nathanmarineau3993]

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.

[@udayanmustafi3963]

🎸

[@jimmyjams5038]

What if i like using my pinky to finger pick? I cant seem to find anyone covering this.

[@md.shakibkhan5183]

I got my finger tip chopped when i was little. No i got really bad nail and cant do nail picking anyway😥

[@mattbortz10]

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.

[@Tonetwisters]

Growing and keeping decent fingernails would do a boatload of "hot dog!" for this old man ...

[@lukeswa.n]

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

[@lordjs9726]

Is that guitar a Martin?

[@dawiophikisutnga2148]

can you plz teach on my way

[@shikhar7036]

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.

[@TPITEOTG]

Wow, Paco de Lucia makes all these mistakes!!!

[@davidjduerr]

Some say it’s a no no if you don’t plant your pinky when playing banjo haha

[@jasper_north]

First!

[@ralex3697]

Anchoring my pinky is really difficult because it is undersized, I was not blessed with long pinkies

[@Filthy_Rich_556]

Learning finger style from Tony's casting couch...

[@rong648]

My mistake was that my action was too low.

[@jamesmorrison2063]

How can I use finger picks when I have nails? Anyone?

[@robertnewell5057]

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.

[@jamesmorrison2063]

@@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!

[@robertnewell5057]

@@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.

[@jamesmorrison2063]

@@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!

[@robertnewell5057]

@@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'.

[@fishcakez]

me a classical guitarists: 😳

[@turkmusik]

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.

[@rabonour]

"You need to anchor your pinky or palm" is really bad advice. Both can cause injury and neither is necessary for string fingerstyle playing.

[@thomasnowicki5844]

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.

[@Tamburo52]

Some hack named Tommy Emmanuel (among many others) would disagree.

[@thomasnowicki5844]

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".

[@paullehmor982]

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]

Yo bro that is worst plucking ever. I bet you cant do tremolo with that plucking.