When you’re learning how to play fingerstyle guitar, it can be overwhelming trying to learn all the different picking patterns out there. In Sami Ghawi’s last lesson, he showed us the thumbs-up method for playing fingerstyle. In this lesson, we’ll be taking it a step further and learning a pattern that can be used to play any song in 4/4. It’s a great way to expand your repertoire and feel more confident on your instrument.
Sami’s thumbs-up fingerstyle lesson: The Most Basic Fingerstyle Guitar Rhythm
The Pattern
The challenge with this new pattern is getting everything working independently. You’ll be using your thumb and index finger individually, and then your middle and ring fingers will be working in tandem. On top of that, you’ll have to include a percussive slap on the strings. It sounds a lot harder than it actually is. Take it slow and follow along to the video with the tabs.
As has been mentioned earlier in the lesson, this pattern works with just about any song in 4/4, but a few great songs to try it with are “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd, and “Blame It On Me” by The Barenaked Ladies.
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