Fingerstyle Guitar Exercises

Fingerstyle guitar is a term meaning fingerpicking, but typically on a steel string guitar. You can fingerpick (play fingerstyle) on any type of guitar, yet the term is closely associated with steel string guitars. Jazz players using the term for finger comping too.

In this lesson, we will learn some more arpeggio patterns, a finger flutter exercise, & some blocking (playing tones together as a block).

Let's again start with the arpeggio exercise from the previous lesson...

p i m a arpeggio across3 sets leaving the thumb on the low e

Now, let's stick with those string sets, but mix up the patterns (use all six combinations of pima).

mixed arpeggios, different string sets, p i m a, then p i a m, then p m i a, then p m a i, then p a i m, then p a m i

You can use any chord that utilizes 6 strings, such as E or Em, or just use open strings.

Try to keep the driver knuckles over the string set you are picking. The space between your thumb & index will open up, & your elbow will move your hand over the next string set.

Now, let's try an arpeggio pattern that is popular for classical guitar, & a great one to know...

Villa-Lobos Etude 1 pattern, string order 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 ascending, then 2 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 descending using p i p i p m i a ascending, then m a i m p i p i descending

Next, let's do some finger flutters. When you train, you should strengthen the muscles of your arms & hands in both directions (extension/flexion). When you pluck or pick, you are flexing the muscle. When you do rasgueado (strumming downward with nails), you are extending.

Finger Flutter Exercise

finger flutters, use i m a c and p seperately to strum up and down

And finally, let's get all the fingers moving together. It is good when you train to alternate between arpeggios, finger flutters, & the following blocking exercise.

Block Exercise

p i m a blocks, all 4 together or thumb then i m a together

Fingerstyle Guitar Basics