Here are 9 simple tips to improve your fingerpicking and become a better fingerstyle guitar player.
Looking for some simple fast tips you can use right now to save you years of frustration?
You see, we almost never talk about the simple tips that can transform your fingerpicking right away.
So I'm going to share with you some easy things you can implement right now to make your fingerpicking 10x better, without having to overhaul your entire setup or routine.
Think about it: what if instead of trying to log 10,000 hours of playing time to get good at fingerpicking, we could instead do the things that actually move the needle?
Well, we can, and today I'm going to give you 9 simple tips that you can do right now to improve your fingerpicking.
1. Change Your Strings
Go ahead, take a look at your guitar right now.
Are the strings brilliant and shiny, or dull and rusty? Chances are, it's the latter.
But if you want to make your fingerpicking sound clearer and more vibrant, change your strings regularly. I’m not saying, swap them out every single day.
Instead, make string changes and regular cleaning become part of your maintenance routine. By keeping fresh strings on your guitar, you'll almost guarantee that a dull tone will never again hold you back.
2. File Your Nails
I'll admit it. When it comes to deciding how to file my nails for guitar, I like to shoot from the hip.
I'll trim and shape as needed and pick whatever feels right to work on. It's only if I have a performance (or a YouTube video) coming up that this forces me to set goals of perfecting my nail shape.
If you're like me and you fly by the seat of your pants when it comes to nail maintenance, you can keep a nail file out on your guitar stand for easy maintenance. Or, consider carrying a nail file with you to deal with unexpected breakages.
Either way, having perfectly shaped nails and never letting them grow uneven will guarantee perfect sound quality. Plus, tackling the edges will make sure nothing snags the strings or causes any other accidents.
3. Improve Your Technique
If you haven't got a solid understanding of how to position the hand to pluck the strings, you should start here.
For example, one of the worst habits is playing a repeated note on the same string using the same finger. This is a no-no that will slow you down when it comes to playing fast passages, but it's all too common to see players making this common mistake.
By the way, if you want step-by-step exercises, and expert tips to build proficiency and self-assurance with your fingerstyle guitar skills, then check out my online course Play Fingerstyle Guitar Now!
4. Practice Finger Independence
Do you ever get the feeling your fingers all want to move in the same direction? That's because finger independence is an often overlooked skill that most players have no idea how to practice.
Luckily as fingerstyle guitarists, we have a very simple exercise we can do to improve finger independence. Start with targeted exercises for finger independence to build control over each finger.
5. Buy A Better Guitar
Some people budget their entire life down to the cent, writing down everything from their weekly grocery haul to their daily coffee.
I haven't done that kind of detailed tracking since I was a university student. However, I do set aside a small budget every month for upgrading my gear. Because I know that a better guitar can make sure that I don’t over-compensate for poor tone with technique alone.
If you don't feel like splurging, check out this guide to budget-friendly acoustics that you only need to consider once a year.
6. Create A Practice Session
By using just a few of these tips so far, I am confident you will emerge from your next practice session more satisfied. However, over the long term, you will make real progress with structured routines.
If you're like me, you have options to keep it simple: Block out focused time slots, include warm-ups and cool-downs, and end with reflection on what you accomplished. It's very simple to practice guitar effectively with a simple routine.
7. Work On Simple Plucking Patterns
If you already know how to play guitar, you can get started with these basic patterns straight away. Or, if you don't feel like diving right into your song, you can start with some simple plucking patterns.
In contrast to most simple patterns that you'll see, the best simple plucking patterns don't follow the natural order of the fingers (p,i,m,a or a,m,i,p). Instead, consider mixing up the order or playing multiple strings simultaneously.
8. Practice Arpeggio Patterns
As a more advanced fingerstyle guitarist, you may be looking to practice more elaborate plucking hand patterns. In that case you will build a strong foundation with arpeggio patterns.
If you rush an arpeggio and stumble while practicing, don't ignore it. I've seen students stumble through arpeggios multiple times, nail it once, and move on. Play it correctly several times in a row before advancing and you will save yourself lots of frustration in the future. Trust me.
9. Practice Playing Without Looking
This one is for the pros, or at least, those looking for that next level freedom. When you learn how to play without looking, it's like you unlock a whole new level of skill.
Be prepared to have random strangers who are frustrated with their lack of progress ask you how you accomplish this magical skill.
By using just a few of these nine tips, I am confident you will improve your fingerpicking, feel more in control, and enjoy greater satisfaction in your playing.
