Basic fingerpicking pattern
The basic fingerpicking pattern plays the notes of the chord one at a time, in eighth notes: the thumb (p) plays the bass, and the index (i), middle (m) and ring (a) fingers play the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings, going up and back: p-i-m-a-m-i-m-a, eight notes per bar of 4/4.
Now Am Next F
4/4- p i m a thumb, index, middle, ring; the number is the string (1 = high E)
Step by step
The whole pattern, with the accents.
Chords
Space bar: play/stop
The pattern as a table
| Beat | On the beat | Offbeat (&) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | p (bass) | i (string 3) |
| 2 | m (string 2) | a (string 1) |
| 3 | m (string 2) | i (string 3) |
| 4 | m (string 2) | a (string 1) |
How to play it
- Each finger has its string: i on the 3rd, m on the 2nd, a on the 1st. The thumb looks after the three low strings and picks the bass string of the chord.
- Let the notes ring over each other.
- The thumb pushes the string down; the other fingers pull towards the palm.
- Practise the thumb alone first while changing chords, then add the fingers.
Common mistakes
- Playing the wrong bass when the chord changes: on C it is the 5th string; on G, the 6th; on D, the 4th.
- Using one finger for every string.
- Pulling the string away from the guitar so it buzzes against the frets.
Play along
Frequently asked questions
What do p, i, m, a mean?
They are the initials of the picking-hand fingers in Spanish, used in guitar notation worldwide: p = pulgar (thumb), i = índice (index), m = medio (middle), a = anular (ring).
Do I need fingernails to fingerpick?
No. With the fingertips the sound is softer; with nails, brighter.