Fingerpicking means plucking the strings with your fingers instead of a pick, so you can play a bassline, chords, and melody all at once. It’s what gives folk, blues, and a lot of acoustic playing that full, rolling sound, and it’s one of the most satisfying things to learn on the guitar.
It can take a while to get smooth, and that’s normal. There are a few different ways to pick, and different players lean on different ones. Personally I like a form of hybrid picking, where I hold the pick between my thumb and index finger and use my other three fingers to pluck. Sometimes I use just my fingers, and sometimes just the pick, which is usually called flatpicking. Whichever way you go, a lot of the patterns stay the same.
One thing to keep an eye on while you fingerpick is the root note of each chord. The root sets the stage for everything else, it’s the note that tells your ear which chord you’re on. It moves to a different string depending on the chord, so knowing where it lives is half the battle.
Start here: beginner picking
- Beginner tips for guitar picking. The hand position and habits that make everything later easier. (our most-read picking lesson)
- An easy picking pattern. A simple, repeating pattern to get your fingers moving.
- Easy fingerpicking patterns. A few more beginner-friendly patterns to add.
Fingerpicking technique and patterns
- Fingerpicking technique. The core right-hand mechanics, broken down.
- Finger picking on guitar. Putting the pieces together over real chords.
- Finger exercises for guitar. Build the independence and control your picking hand needs.
- The ping pong picking pattern. A back-and-forth pattern that sounds harder than it is.
Hybrid and combined picking
- Hybrid picking for beginners. Hold the pick and use your fingers too.
- Combine picking and strumming. Move between the two without stopping.
- Strumming and picking combined. Another way to blend the two in one part.
- Picking out bass notes. Add a moving bassline under your chords.
Common questions
What is fingerpicking?
Playing the guitar by plucking the strings with your fingers instead of a pick. It lets you sound the bass, chords, and melody at the same time, which is why it sounds so full.
Do I need long nails or a thumb pick?
No. Plenty of players fingerpick with bare fingertips. Nails or a thumb pick add brightness and volume, but they’re a preference, not a requirement. Start with what you have.
Fingerpicking, flatpicking, or hybrid… which should you learn?
Start with basic fingerpicking, since the patterns carry over. Flatpicking (just the pick) and hybrid (pick plus fingers) are worth adding later. Most players end up using a bit of each.
Keep going
When you’re ready to fold picking into your everyday playing, the Rhythm Player’s Guide to Picking takes it from patterns to real songs, so your picking actually serves the music.