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Six Strings

Picking-hand foundations

Independence and basic patterns.

  1. PIMA and thumb independenceAssign each finger to its strings and make the thumb steady and independent.Builds on: Chord changes in time
  2. Arpeggio patterns in 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8Three patterns that cover most fingerstyle accompaniment.Builds on: PIMA and thumb independence

Bass lines under the pattern

Alternating bass and Travis picking.

  1. Alternating bass and Travis pickingA steady alternating thumb with fingers on the off-beats.Builds on: Arpeggio patterns in 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8
  2. Melody over a bass linePlay a tune on the top strings while the thumb keeps a bass going underneath.Builds on: Alternating bass and Travis picking, The major scale
  3. Dynamics and percussive techniquesControl volume and add a rhythmic body tap.Builds on: Arpeggio patterns in 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8
  4. Your first fingerstyle arrangementPlan sections, dynamics and an ending for a whole piece.Builds on: Melody over a bass line, Dynamics and percussive techniques

Colour and longer pieces

Harmonics, alternate tunings and arrangements with several sections.

  1. Natural and artificial harmonicsBell-like notes from touching, not pressing, the string.Builds on: PIMA and thumb independence
  2. Drop D and open tuningsRetune the guitar for a deeper bass, one-finger chords and ringing open strings.Builds on: Alternating bass and Travis picking, Natural and artificial harmonics
  3. A longer, multi-section arrangementPlan and perform a piece with intro, verse, chorus, bridge and ending.Builds on: Your first fingerstyle arrangement, Natural and artificial harmonics

Practical checkpoint

Module 4 checkpoint: independent thumb

Play a pattern with the thumb alternating bass notes while the fingers play on top, over a four-chord progression, at a steady tempo.

You are ready for the next module when you can honestly say:

  • I can play a four-string arpeggio pattern over C, G, Am and F at 80 BPM, cleanly.
  • I can play a 3/4 pattern and a 4/4 pattern and explain the difference in feel.
  • I can keep an alternating bass going while my fingers play a different rhythm.
  • I can play a basic Travis pattern over two chords without stopping.
  • I can play a simple melody over a bass line, with the melody louder than the bass.

9 lessons in this module are not complete yet. You can still attempt the checkpoint whenever you like.