In “Play Guitar: How to Finger-Pick Part 1” we looked at the specific fingers used to pick each string.  Now, it’s time to jump into some actual finger-picking exercises…

Below you will find 6 excellent finger-picking exercises.

The numbers refer to the strings.  The first example, 6-1-2-3, means you play the sixth string, first string, second string and third string.  Remember that the strings are numbered from the thickest (6) to the thinnest (1).

At first you should play each exercise with open strings.  Once you feel comfortable with the exercise, apply it to chords.

When you have mastered these exercises, you should combine the patterns together such as, 6-1-2-3-5-1-2-3 or 6-1-2-3-5-1-3-2.

Finger-style Exercise # 1
6-1-2-3
p-a-m-i

Finger-style Exercise # 2
6-1-3-2
p-a-i-m

Finger-style Exercise # 3
6-2-1-3
p-m-a-i

Finger-style Exercise # 4
6-2-3-1
p-m-i-a

Finger-style Exercise # 5
6-3-2-1
p-i-m-a

Finger-style Exercise # 6
6-3-1-2
p-i-a-m

In “Play Guitar: How to Finger-Pick Part 3“, we will continue with some additional foundation finger-picking exercises.  These exercises will make it much easier for you to learn finger-style songs.

Coming very soon, we will look at a fun finger-picking song called “Romance Anonimo“.  This is a perfect song to learn for your Valentine’s Day Sweetheart.