Right Hand Technique (Fingerstyle)

Fingerstyle, as we learned earlier, is a picking style usually used with classical or acoustic guitars. In this lesson, we will look at the basics of fingerpicking.

Positioning Your Hand

Below is an image showing the correct hand positioning for the right hand. Note, the knuckles are parallel to the strings. Your fingers should be slightly curled, but not too much curled (refer to the image). Your hand is not supposed to be resting anywhere on the guitar, only your arm will rest on top of the body. Some people develop a habit to rest their pinky on the pickguard, but I recommend not to do so. Doing so seems great at first, but it can get in the way in the long run.

Picking

Picking may be done by the nail (and it usually is done by the nail), or by the fleshy part of your fingers. Picking with nails give a crisp sound, and picking by fingers gives a more soulful sound.

For picking using nails, your nails should be a little long. They should be seen just coming up from behind your fingers when you look at them from the front. You will also need to keep them filed. An alternative to long nails is fingerpicks. These are small picks that you can put on your fingers, and you won't have to worry about nails.

Now we will play an easy little tab, that will exercise our fingers. Playing may seem awkward at first, but you will be comfortable in a little time.