Fingerpicking Patterns
A fingerpicking pattern is when the right hand picks the strings in a set order and repeats that order of strings over and over again. The pattern is often played throughout a chord progression, i.e., the right hand maintains a strict right hand pattern as the left hand changes through different chord shapes.
Fingerpicking Pattern One
The order of strings to play for the first fingerpicking pattern is as follows.
This pattern consists of four movements. The thumb (p) first picks the root bass note. The first finger (i) then picks the second string. The thumb then plays the alternative bass note. Finally the second finger (m) picks the first string.
It is important to understand that each note in this pattern is valued as an eighth note (half a beat). It is necessary therefore to play the pattern twice to complete one bar of * time (four beats to every bar). Most of the fingerpicking patterns in this book will be in * time. Once again, the most important aspect of this type of fingerpicking pattern is the thumb strikes a bass string on every beat of the bar.
The following chart highlights the first fingerpicking pattern, which strings are played and on which beat of the bar. The symbol R in the circle is used to indicate the root bass note. The symbol A in the circle is used to indicate the alternating bass note The number in the circle indicates the string.
The first fingerpicking pattern is applied to a G chord in the following example. Practice this pattern slowly at first, then gradually increase the tempo until you can comfortably play along with the recorded audio track.
