Vintage Club #23 with Richard | Fingerstyle Basics

[Richard_close2u]

Vintage Club #23 - 7th April 2025.

View the recording and access resources from the Club Archive page:

https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/vintage-club-23-intro-to-fingerstyle-cla-115

---

This is an introduction to fingerstyle guitar. It should be accessible and relevant to Grade 1 players - and beyond. You will need to be able to play most, or all, of the eight essential beginner chords summarised in Grade 1 Module 7.

Justin first introduces fingerstyle basics in Grade 2 Module 11 so I hope to give Grade 1 players a head start. I encourage you to view this Introduction to Fingerstyle lesson, which uses patterns in a 6/8 time signature, plus read the Learn More content.

---

Thanks to those who took part in my recent Vintage Club survey (still open if you want to add your thoughts) I have decided to revisit some topics from older clubs.

[TonyHS]

Hi Richard, great club lesson. Thanks.

[WillDavid]

Richard, a question was asked tonight whether the fingerstyle format should always be Thumb, Index, Middle, Ring with fingers mainly assigned to the same strings.Many years ago in a previous attempt to play guitar, I was taught using just Thumb, Index, Middle, with the thumb covering 6,5,4 and 3 strings. for example ‘D’ chord 5132; 4132. The thumb covering 5, 4 and 3. Was this a form of fingerstyle? Thanks

[CD02]

Hi Richard,

Nice lesson, thanks. I really enjoyed it especially the latter parts, plenty in there to for me to keep improving and expanding my fingerstyle.

Due to timing I only watched the recording but still, very enjoyable.

One that I like to use to regularly practice my fingerstyle is Everybody Hurts, that’s a bit of fun especially with the little baseline walk downs

[Richard_close2u]

@WillDavid
Thanks for watching and asking a follow up.
I mentioned in my answer that for 4-strinf chords the hand shifts across with thumb on D & G strings, index & middle fingers on B & E strings.
We do quite frequently play 4-string chords so that assignation is more common than an ‘exception’.
Nevertheless the convention is thumb for E, A & D strings then a finger each for G, B & E strings.
Convention is not rule but is the recommended way to start.

Mark Knopfler does differently and he has made quite a career from playing unconventionally.

[Richard_close2u]

@CD02
Everybody Hurts is great for the 6/8 I mentioned but spent o ly a little time on.

[barny]

Thanks Richard! It’s great that you emphasised not to “sock puppet”; I was guilty of that and found finger picking rather cumbersome as a result. I don’t recall Justin ever mentioning it in his lessons (I’m at early grade 3 at the moment), and I didn’t even realise I was doing it until you mentioned it.

[Huw59]

Thanks Richard.
Just caught up belatedly on the fingerstyle lesson and appreciate the effort you have gone to with materials etc.
Also aware I have a whole back catalogue of Vintage lessons that I have missed, so will go back and catch some of these in coming weeks.
Quick related question please. Is there anyway of knowing when future lessons are scheduled or is it just a case of keeping a regular eye on the community pages etc.
Thanks again.

[Richard_close2u]

Thanks @Huw59 I appreciate your kind words.
Clubs are one per month unless holidays etc. intervene.
Vintage clubs are always Mondays, generally the first or second Monday of a month.
Fanny updates the pages with all dates but usually just for a coming month.

[Huw59]

Thanks for clarifying Richard👍