Fingerpicking
Fingerpicking is pretty self-explanatory. You pick with your fingers. Normally, guitarists use their thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. Your fingers are labeled as "Pima". In other words, "P" represents your thumb, "I" represents your index finger, and so on. The letters derive from spanish words for the fingers. So just about everything with fingerpicking will name the fingers by the "Pima" method. The pinky finger is not used much and therefore does not have a letter to go by. The diagram below should clarify any questions you have about "Pima". People who really enjoy fingerpicking sometimes grow their nails longer to play with their nails. This is better than plucking the strings with your fingertips.
I am going to show you is a couple of ways to fingerpick chords. It is pretty self-explanatory, and it is not too difficult. As a general rule, the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings are plucked by your thumb (or "P" finger). The 3rd string is plucked by your index finger ("I"). The 2nd string is plucked by your middle finger ("M"), and the 1st string is plucked by your ring finger ("A").
The examples below both use a C major chord. These patterns are not limited to this chord though. These patterns are meant to be used in chord progressions. Try alternating through the patterns when you play different chord progressions. These patterns can be used as warmups, plus they can help you gain more control over your right hand. Play through these at your own pace. You can make some nice little 3 chord tunes with these.
C Major
The "P" with the "A" over it means that
you play the lower note with the "P" (your thumb)
and the higher note with the "A" (your ring finger).
Main Menu
