Guitar and technique
Fingerpicking
Fingerpicking means plucking guitar strings with your fingers, the thumb playing the bass strings while the index, middle and ring fingers play the treble strings.
What is fingerpicking?
In fingerpicking, each finger of your picking hand has a job, labelled with letters from the classical tradition:
- p (thumb): bass strings 6, 5 and 4;
- i (index): 3rd string;
- m (middle): 2nd string;
- a (ring): 1st string.
This "one finger per string" setup is the starting point. The thumb keeps the rhythm and the bass, the fingers play harmony and melody, so one guitar can cover bass line, accompaniment and tune at the same time.
How to start fingerpicking: the p-i-m-a pattern
Fret Am (x 0 2 2 1 0) and play an arpeggio:
- p: open 5th string (A);
- i: 3rd string, 2nd fret (A);
- m: 2nd string, 1st fret (C);
- a: open 1st string (E).
Then come back down with m and i: p, i, m, a, m, i, six eighth notes, which fills one bar of 3/4. Cycle through Am, C, G and Em at 60 BPM. The thumb moves to the bass of each open chord: 5th string 3rd fret for C, 6th string 3rd fret for G, open 6th string for Em.
Travis picking: the alternating bass
Travis picking, named after Merle Travis, is built on a thumb that plays every quarter note, alternating between two bass strings, while the fingers slip notes in between the beats. On C (x 3 2 0 1 0):
| Beat | 1 | and | 2 | and | 3 | and | 4 | and |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thumb | 5th str. | 4th str. | 6th str. fret 3 | 4th str. | ||||
| Fingers | i (3rd str.) | m (2nd str.) | i (3rd str.) | m (2nd str.) |
For the 6th string bass, your ring finger hops from the 3rd fret of the 5th string to the 3rd fret of the 6th. Practice the thumb alone for a minute first: it has to be automatic before you add the fingers.
Why does fingerpicking sound so good in open tunings?
In an open tuning or DADGAD, the low strings form a drone: your thumb can keep hitting the open 6th and 4th strings while your fingers play the melody on the top strings. In Open D, for example, the thumb alternates the two low D strings and you only fret the melody.
Patterns are written in tablature, with the finger letter above or below each note. For your own songs, note the pattern next to the chords in the songbook.
Common fingerpicking mistakes
- Thumb following the fingers: it must stay steady, like a metronome. If the fingers throw it off, slow down.
- Pulling strings outward: pluck toward your palm, or the string snaps against the frets.
- Cutting notes short: let the whole chord ring, the sustain is part of the sound.
- Watching your picking hand: learn to feel the strings, and keep your eyes on your fretting hand.
Key takeaways
- p thumb (strings 6 to 4), i 3rd string, m 2nd string, a 1st string.
- First pattern: p-i-m-a-m-i over Am, C, G, Em.
- Travis picking: alternating bass in quarter notes, fingers on the offbeats.
- A steady thumb comes before everything else.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need fingernails for fingerpicking?
No, it is a question of tone. Flesh gives a soft, round sound; slightly longer nails give a brighter, louder one. Many folk players use bare fingertips, others add a thumb pick to strengthen the bass.
How long does it take to learn Travis picking?
Expect two to four weeks of daily practice (10 to 15 minutes) before your thumb alternates on its own without thinking. After that, each new finger pattern usually falls into place within a few days.
Can you fingerpick on an electric guitar?
Yes. Lighter strings need less force, and many country and rock players use their fingers or hybrid picking (pick plus middle and ring fingers). The same patterns work on every type of guitar.
Related terms
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