How To Play Guitar Solos WITHOUT A Pick - Beginner Guitar Lesson

When you think about guitar solos, you probably imagine guitarists ripping it up with a pick in their hand. But some of the greatest lead guitar players abandon the pick altogether and just use their fingers. So in this lesson, Andrew Clarke is here to talk about how you can play guitar solos without using a guitar pick by looking at John Mayer and Derek Trucks.

Throughout this guitar lesson, you’ll learn about proper hand positioning for fingerpicking, the difference between using your fingernails and the pads of your fingers, how to mute the strings with both hands, flicking technique, and how to fatten notes using adjacent strings.

These techniques aren’t easy to pull off, so you may need to take your time with this lesson. At the end of the day, it’s all about developing your style and unique voice on the guitar. Don’t feel like you need to steal everything you learn in this lesson. Just use what sounds good to you.

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Signal Chain:
Suhr Antique Classic
Dr. Z EZG-50
Boss Tube Amp Expander
Universal Audio Apollo Twin
Logic Pro X

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[MusoraOfficial]

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[Lawrence]

You are natural teacher...nice tips. Thanks

[renderu]

I learned without pick when I started then later with a pick due to those rock and metal stuff. Lately, it feels like having identity lost if I get rid of pick or not cause it really feels like without pick means freedom. Glad I see comments here who are the same as I do.

[NestofWeasels]

Derek Trucks is playing with a slide in the example. Generally speaking, most skilled slide players recommend playing without a pick - - not a hard and fast rule but probably a good idea to learn to use your fingers when using a slide and, as you gain facility, that might convince you to forego a pick at other times, too.

[costo.]

my favorite fingerstyle guitar player is the best guitar player of the world: Gilberto Reategui from Los Mirlos 💖

[jimdefazio]

Nils Lofgren, although uses a thumbpick.

[anthonyclegg]

Can you play pinch harmonix with no pick. 🎸💓.

[schinsky]

Dont know why but the guy in the video is so likeable. Great lesson too!

[robertsmith]

Jeff Beck uses his thump and sometimes his forefinger too.

[MeanderingMentor]

5:33 this is a great point. I recently had several breakthroughs in my playing, but they are all subtle changes in strumming, muting, and note selection. These would be hard to describe, and I only was able to make the changes because I was ao familiar and practiced at some things that I could stop thjnkjng about what I was playing and pay attention to where my fingers were landing, which part of the pad was contacting, and how each chord or note sounded

[alharris]

Alan Hager is an amazing talent using his fingers: Portland, OR, playing with Curtis Salgado.

[kevinconnolly]

My favorite finger style player on electric is Mark Knofler. Favorite song - Brothers In Arms.

[habdollahi]

Hello,
I think this is my first time ever leaving a comment but could not and would not leave unless I mention Mr Jeff Beck! The one and only true god of Guitar and finger style playing 🙏🏻

[mugsypea]

I came from a flamenco background so this is real easy for me! Thanks for the great vid!

[nothazeemshah]

Idk why but using pick is harder for me

[yushadilag]

There's an electric guitar in church and I noticed, no ones been playing on it. And two of my picks are gone :(( So I asked the Pastor if i could practice it. And I'm a beginner! Wish me luck :)

[justjamie]

Please make more pickles playing solo videos. There is a pretty big hole in this area and what I would consider a very important part of guitar playing.

[schesser]

Jeff Beck, my friends...Jeff Beck. Check out Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scott’s right here on the Tubes of You. You’re welcome.

[kckudasai]

I’ve developed my “own” style of playing mostly with my index finger both strumming and playing solos, but the outer side of my index finger nail tend to get file down from playing, and my preferable “tone” will be gone. That’s why I’m here searching for any video about playing with just the finger and here I stumble upon this video! And it’s amazingly see other ways the play without a pick!

[robertspizzolini]

Jimi Vaughn comes to mind.
I play better with my fingers,
The pick turns. And my fingers find the strings better..
Nice video though..