Finger Style For Beginners. Start Here.

Video Chapters
00:00 Finger Style For Beginners - 6:8 Time
01:07 Finger Style For Beginners - Picking Pattern
02:03 Finger Style For Beginners - Anchor Finger
03:47 Finger Style For Beginners - Finger Nails
05:16 Finger Style For Beginners - First Step
05:56 Finger Style For Beginners - Avoid These Mistakes!
07:43 Finger Style For Beginners - How to Practice

[MostSimple]

Anyone else just zone out and an hour goes by in a blink of an eye when playing guitar?

[keithrisk]

Such a pleasure to have you, with your usual cheerfulness, patience and enthusiasm, continuing to give these lessons, during these tough times. Recently turned 70, just over a year in to learning guitar on my own, and this has been such a help. Am, finally, making real progress, despite frustrations (mainly fingers not doing what I want them to do), by sticking with practice, and not rushing things. We have time! Being a folk music fan who wants to play my favourites this finger style is important, and this lesson makes a great start as a solid basic foundation. With many thanks and much appreciation.

[ninjaturtle]

Justin has made his name in the history of guitar. And in teaching.

He will raise an army of guitarists and musicians. I can't think of a bigger honor.

[frmacleod]

I've only been playing guitar for five months and my fingerstyle has actually surpassed my flat pick strumming because I'm doing way more of it. Another great video.

[TheEvaluna]

Great advice for beginners! You're becoming one of my favorites YouTube guitar teachers! Thanks for sharing! 👍🙂❤

[pitfall]

Thanks for your devotion to teaching the basics. These small, easy lessons are such a sweetspot in a busy weekday.

[rrbernstein]

Been playing for over 35 years - self taught and by ear. This is simplest explanation and teaching of finger picking styles 6/8 4/4 I have come across - thank you

[jackhargreaves]

That you understand beginners far more than the vast majority of internet / YT teachers has never been exemplified better than in this video. I have been learning with you for a couple of years and couldn’t be happier with my progress. But recently I decided to go off piste and look at some ‘beginners’ finger-style videos on YT (because it had’t come up in your course yet). I found those videos very discouraging, and not just because they all feature good-looking French guys. Eg using obscure chords and difficult chord changes in the first ten minutes when I hadn’t even begun to get familiar with PIMA. So, I came home to you and I am happy again… You are the best (and yes, Tommy Emmanuel is the other best!)

[ravensaid]

Justin, thank you very much for all your lessons. Extremely helpful, and your gentle and friendly approach to teaching always makes me feel good and understood. I learn guitar on YouTube, and you are my number one pick amongst all guitar teachers here. Absolute legend, the amount of content you produced over the years is truly impressive. Great website too! Feeling lucky and grateful to have access to this quality stuff online. Keep up the great work mate, and thanks again!

[tunod-]

I totally get it now what he means by ''you kinda gotta feel it'' when he's talking about picking the strings.
I spent a few hours on 'Romanza' and its a very basic fingerpicking pattern but in the beginning youre still very conscious about it especially when changing chords and things get mixed up. But there's this breakthrough that just happens out of nowhere where youre not picking the strings anymore and your fingers just kinda wave over the strings. There's no pressure anymore and it just waves over it with the softest touch. It's such an amazing feeling to have!

[dbmuziek]

I love your guitar teachings in general and in this tutorial I particularly smiled at the nail part. I know that I'm supposed to have long nails for classical guitar playing, but when I play the bass guitar, this doesn't work. So glad to have found a teacher who leaves it up to us!

[seba_]

You are the best Justin, I played guitar when I was in high school but I quit after a few years, partly because my tutor wasn't as great as you are. I just bought a telecaster and giving a second try now in my late twenties.

Fingerstyle is one of my favourite styles as I would love to emulate mark knopfler, so I'm really looking forward to continue with these type of lessons!

[winstonfox]

First time listened to one of your lessons. What a pleasure to find an instructor sooo easy to follow . Am hooked now. Been plonking about 3 years using thumb for every note. Def will now concentrate full finger style over winter. Many many thanks.

[agarwaltushar]

Thanks, Justin for your awesome and FREE tutorials! I learned whatever I know today from them. I am beginning to learn fingerstyle now and had a question. I wish to play songs with the ability to switch between pick-strumming and fingerstyle and I don't want to rely on some less-common things like a thumb pick, since it may not be available everywhere (in that moment). 2 main recommendations I've come across while researching are:
1. Using thumb + 1st finger with the pick for the 3 bass strings and fingers 2, 3, 4 for the last 3 strings.
2. Holding pick between finger 1 & 2 and learn to switch back and forth (as in Rhett Shull's Fingerpicking tips on youtube. I'm not allowed to post links here it seems)
It would be helpful if you or anyone experienced in the community could recommend which way to practice.

[julessanchez]

Justin, thank you so much for sharing your talent and lessons, you’re a inspiration with your great personality.

[ComeOnPeopleThink]

this guy is fantastic, calm and easy to listen to..

[DeliciaTrini]

Ever since I've been learning from Justin's courses, my technique has improved drastically! He is so thorough! Love him!

[musiclist]

Hi Justin ! I am a fan of yours !! I love watching your videos. I kept pushing myself to be really good in playing the guitar. I have learnt a lot... and continues to learn. Thank you ...

[robism]

I have only found your channel in the last few weeks and even your beginner info is great. Just watched this and enjoyed the way you explained and demonstrated. thanks

[priscillaboatman]

Thank you! You are a wonderful teacher. Very easy for myself as a beginner to follow.