One Essential Technique to make Fingerpicking CLICK!

TUNING: Standard Tuning • E-A-D-G-B-E
GEAR:
• @CortGuitarCo Cort Gold Passion Acoustic Electric Guitar

In this lesson, I’ll show you the foundational fingerpicking technique that makes other fingerpicking styles click into place—once you get this down, everything else becomes easier! We’ll walk through three musical examples, gradually increasing in difficulty, to help you understand how to incorporate an alternating thumb bassline in your playing.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:46 - Fingerpicking Exercises 1-3
01:42 - Technique Explanation: Understanding the alternating thumb bassline and multitasking on the guitar
02:34 - Breaking Down Riff 1: Building on a simple pattern with thumb and finger parts
06:13 - Riff 2 (Intermediate): Alternating thumb across more strings with embellishments
11:55 - Riff 3 (Advanced Application): Creating rhythm and melody simultaneously
17: 09 - Exploring Style Variations: How this technique applies to Travis picking and other styles
18:29 - Key Takeaway: Recognizing the simplicity behind complex fingerpicking

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#learnguitar #guitartips #guitarlesson

[brianmarkl]

That was the best 20 minute lesson I've ever had in my life. It really inspired me, thank you, Justin.

[nicopillay]

Rick Beato needs to talk to you, man. And we have a responsibility to make that happen. You deserve more appreciation for your country and blues chops.

[wheeldrive]

Love that you are playing a Cort guitar. Not everyone needs to have a Martin

[doloresneilson]

Justin...you're an incredible teacher. So generous with your knowledge and skill. Thank you.

[diegooland]

The tab breakdown on the screen is super helpful, thank you.

[justincatterall]

I bought, and have completed one of your earlier fingerpicking courses. It was a turning point in my playing, learning to control my right-hand fingers and thumb independently was a revelation. Some of what I have been able to play since has been the most enjoyable playing I have had with my guitar. I'm looking forward to where this course leads - though I don't need this introduction, I'm looking forward to the more advanced lessons.
When I was a young I never knew or even heard of another Justin. Now I get all of my guitar tuition from two other Justins (I'm sure you know who the other one is). I really enjoy your style and what you do, thank you for sharing.

[gregkoelling]

As someone who's been playing for 57 years I have to say, this is a great presentation on finger picking and even a geezer like me can benefit from it. Thank you Mr. J!

[kellystauffer]

Such an intelligent teacher. Thanks for being so clear and zen about these teachings

[esteverino]

One of your early beginner finger picking porch style lessons got me started with alternating bass line/Travis style picking. I'm excited to add these progressive lessons. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome techniques and your 100% real and genuine teaching style. I wish you were my neighbor 😊

[edphillips]

Very informative, looking forward to the next guitar class.

[Bond-dycb]

Really cool, informative, and easy to understand; thank you! 👍

[maraalvarez]

Lessons for us from Justin Johnson...yes yes THANK YOU JUSTIN 💯

[kevinmccormick]

This is a must watch clip! I had never heard of Justin reflection on are just so many great artists out there. He should be a household name if your a guitarist! I have been playing for at least 50 years. Justin's style of teaching is flawless! He is clear, to the point, gives enough info to learn, but does not overwhelm or confuse.

He can teach you to play immediately....all you have to do is listen and PRACTICE!

This finger picking clip is priceless and opens a whole new exciting world for a guitar player....very inspiring!

I can't say enough good things about is easy to listen to, understandable, goes at just the right pace.
He literally can change the life of a guitar player! Amazing guy!

On top of all that, he is a gifted guitar player that deserves way more acclaim! Very professional at both teaching and playing!

He is now one of my favorite players along with Mark Knopfler who also is good at instructing players!

[idlikemoreprivacy]

Thanks for all your videos! You are such a good teacher, so enabling, musical and inspiring!

[eldjennemo]

Excellent. Your explanations are so clear and the way you break down the riffs to make us understand is really efficient. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

[CritterRepairTech]

I teach in the veterinary industry and you are a talented teacher. Educational videos take attention to detail, time, and skill. I’m really enjoying your lessons!

[jeffro.]

Thanks, Justin!
This lesson was very clear, very insightful and well done! Thank you so much for sharing your widespread knowledge of fingerstyle.
I've often admired your playing abilities, wondering where I'd be if I had kept up my playing, from long ago....
I started out playing fingerstyle in the mid-70s. I played for almost 10 years, and taught myself some pretty advanced classical songs. I learned best by ear, even copying several tunes I'd heard Andres Segovia play. But I stopped suddenly, for reasons I won't get into.
More than 30 years passed, and the music I wasn't playing just haunted me.
So, finally I tried to start playing again. But now my calluses were long gone, the muscle memory mostly forgetten, and worse was nerve impingement caused by problems in my spine & neck. I had muscle atrophy in neck, shoulders, chest, arms. So, when I tried to play, I couldn't even play for 3 minutes before my hands cramped & tired.
I had to have cervical fusion of 3 vertebrae.
The next morning after surgery, I noticed I wasn't dropping things due to my left hand not being able to clench!
But playing guitar was still a long way off!
I worked at it daily, playing for 1-2 minutes at a time, and almost constantly doing hand exercises.
It took almost 8 months after surgery, but one day I was trying to remember how to play one of the classical tunes I used to play. At some point, I realized I'd been at it for almost 45 minutes! Hurray! The surgery finally "took."
Since then, I've played daily on my acoustic guitar, and I can now play for several hours at a time! I can even bend strings and play any chords I want. I don't have the speed back that I had accomplished long ago, but it's coming.
It has now been just over 2 years that I've been playing again, and I get better every day! In many ways, I've surpassed where I was after almost 10 years of playing, except the "raw talent" of being able to learn & play anything almost instantly.
Ever since I started back playing, though, I've neglected my fingerstyle, all except for one Led Zeppelin song. Yet I've become even better at using a pick than I was before!
I'm much more accurate and I'm faster.
I've even gotten fairly good at "hybrid picking, " which came easy with my fingerstyle beginnings.
I have learned palm muting techniques and much more that I was missing before.
The hardest part for me was learning that my hand position has to be totally different for playing rock & blues than for classical and fingerstyle, because of all the string muting needed for rock & blues! You cannot mute strings with your left hand, while fretting with the tips of your fingers! That's one area where having an actual teacher would've helped. (I'm completely self-taught.)
With the advent of internet & YT I've learned an incredible amount of theory, which has helped my playing, composition, and improv skills.
After watching this video that you made, I have reconnected with my love of fingerstyle, and I understand it much better than ever!
I am planning to devote more time to practicing it
Thank you for sharing your knowledge & experience with fingerstyle! I doubt that I'll ever be as good as you, but I can at least aspire! 🤪
👍👍👍😅

[thehillbillyhoarder]

Thank you for taking the time to make and post them.

[Watchdog]

Many thanks Justin. After 50 yrs of doing it wrong, I'll now practice what you taught me today.

[tomdaoust]

Good demo. I've been seeing this demoed by many online teachers. In my first 56 years of guitar playing (strumming creatively) I never understood the simple concept you demo. I'm a little late to the game. That all changed when I bought a Martin D-18 with the intention of really learning to make my GUITAR SING, instead of just me singing, the result is amazing. Thank you.