[BENharperROX]

Hey Everyone. I was wondering how to go about fingerpicking? I am obviously a beginner (will be forever it seems) and I mostly play chords and learn some easy Ben Harper picking-like songs (they are really easy to play so i wouldn't really consider that fingerpicking also b/c he doesnt seems to pick over chords) but songs that i am really into have fingerpicking and they sound great. (IE- Chet Atkins' "Vincent" and Lyle Lovett's "If I needed you" are my aspirations) Anyways, I try to read the tab and play over the chords and I just can't get it to sound "connected and flowing". it sounds very broken and stutterd. Even when I am just playing over a simple C-Am-C-G progression straight up and down the strings. So how would I go about learing these techniques) I also remember Kirk's advice about how if you can fingerpick you can play any piece you want. So anyways, can any ya'll help me? Thanks in advance for you time!



PS - B/c I know that Alltumbs will respond to this - "Allthumbs, I would like to thank you for the comment you made on my "Not fire, Not Ice" piece. You mentioned it made you think of Lyle Lovett and while I had heard about him I had never really paid attention to his work. Now I love it and am learning some pieces! He's right in my vocal range and he sings really well! Thanks!"

Ok I am done

[allthumbs]

Good flowing, connected movement is a result of practise developing finger independence. All I can suggest is to practice some of the easier finger picking lessons here and move up in complexity when ready.
Finger picking patterns will build muscle memory but, not independence so don't confuse the two.
Lyle plays some good stuff doesn't he.

[Lcjones]

Sage advice from AT.

I do believe finger picking offers you the most conversation you can possibly attain with your instrument. It takes practice, as do all things guitar. The first time you get that thumb in concert with your fingers, you will be amazed, if not flabbergasted! It will be a revelation into a whole new way of life! You will be assimilated.

Les

[BENharperROX]

It just seems wierd to me when playing cause like you hinted, that thumb has 3 strings!! it gets sooooooo confused sooooooo easily!! haha.

[scotty_b]

Hey
I would recommend playing patterns slowly and getting the fingers used to the discipline of that, but also work on getting your thumb to be independant of your fingers. I think I posted a rather long-winded explanation on how I did this when I posted that piece I called ' A little bit of Chet'.
I learnt how to play walking basslines early on, and then went back and learnt how to play the Merle Travis/Chet Atkins style of 'boom chick' much later.
Play slowly, pay attention to the beat, and be disciplined with your finger choices (on both hands). Maybe practice some scale patterns too with alternating fingers. Patterns will lock you into a certain way of playing, but if you wish to do more, your fingers need to develop a certain degree of independance from your thumb - and the other fingers!

[LeeB]

I posted this in another thread. I did this lesson everyday for a month and it really helped

http://www.playguitarmagazine.com/ar...,LESSONS-1.asp