Legendary Fingerpicking Patterns

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16 Legendary Fingerpicking Patterns

November 16, 2010 by Klaus Crow / 123 Comments
16 Legendary Fingerpicking Patterns - Pattern #1
For tabs see below.

Fingerpicking style is a technique that is used in many famous and legendary songs
over the years. The 16 examples in this post are a good source to learn the most
common fingerpicking patterns you will ever come across. The fingerpicking patterns
can be applied to almost every folk, pop, country or rock song.
Try and figure out which pattern suits your favorite song. Maybe youll already
recognize some of these patterns from songs you heard before.
I personally think pattern #12 is a really nice one. Its a Travis fingerpicking style
arrangement named after Merle Travis. The Travis fingerpicking style is known for its
steady bass pattern played with the thumb while the rest of the fingers fill out the rest
of the pattern on the treble strings.
Right hand finger positioning
Now lets take a look at the finger positioning assuming you are a right handed guitar
player.
For my right hand position I use my thumb to pluck the low-E, A and D-string. The
index finger is on the G-string, the middle finger on the B-string and the ring finger on
the high E-string.
For each different chord, you play the corresponding bass note with your right hand
thumb.
Whenever you play an A or Am chord with your left hand, you pluck the A-string ( A
root note) with your right hand thumb.
For an E or Em chord pluck the E-string (E root note) with your right hand thumb.
D or Dm chord = D-string (D root note).
G chord = E-string (The G root note is played with your left hand on the low E-string).
C chord = A-string (The C root note is played with your left hand on the A-string) and
so on.
In the video lessons above the tabs I show you what each pattern sounds like and
explain the pattern slowly in close up.
Practice each and every one of them thoroughly. Its really good for you.
Enjoy!
PATTERN #1
A
e:-------0-------|-------0-------|-------0-------|--------0-----------|
B:-----2---2-----|-----2---2-----|-----0---0-----|-----0----0---------|
G:---2-------2---|---2-------2---|---1-------1---|---1--------1-------|
D:---------------|---------------|---------------|--------------------|
A:-0-------------|-0-------------|---------------|--------------------|
E:---------------|---------------|-0-------------|-0------------------|
PATTERN #2
e:-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
B:-----2-----2-----|-----2-----2-----|-----0-----0-----|-----0-----0-----|
G:---2-----2-----2-|---2-----2-----2-|---1-----1-----1-|---1-----1-----1-|
D:-------------2---|-------------2---|-------------2---|-------------2---|
A:-0-----0---------|-0-----0---------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0-----0---------|-0-----0---------|
PATTERN #3
e:-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|--------0---------|
B:-----2---2-------|-----2---2-------|-----0---0-------|-----0----0-------|
G:---2-------2---2-|---2-------2---2-|---1-------1---1-|---1--------1---1-|
D:-------------2---|-------------2---|-------------2---|--------------2---|
A:-0---------------|-0---------------|-----------------|------------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0---------------|-0----------------|
PATTERN #4
e:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B:-------2-------2-|-------2-------2-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|
G:---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|---1-------1-----|---1-------1-----|
D:-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|
A:-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0--------0------|-0-------0-------|
PATTERN #5
e:-------------|-------------|-------------|--------------|
B:---------2---|---------2---|---------0---|---------0----|
G:-----2-------|-----2-------|-----1-------|-----1--------|
D:---2-------2-|---2-------2-|---2-------2-|---2-------2--|
A:-0-----0-----|-0-----0-----|-------------|--------------|
E:-------------|-------------|-0------0----|-0------0-----|
PATTERN #6
e:---------0-------|---------0-------|---------0-------|---------0-------|
B:-----2-----2---2-|-----2-----2---2-|-----0-----0---0-|-----0-----0---0-|
G:-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|
D:---2---2---------|---2---2---------|---2---2---------|---2---2---------|
A:-0---------------|-0---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0---------------|-0---------------|
PATTERN #7
e:---0-----0-----|---0-----0-----|---2-----2-----|---0------0---------|
B:---2-----2-----|---0-----0-----|---3-----3-----|---2------2---------|
G:---2-----2-----|---1-----1-----|---2-----2-----|---2------2---------|
D:---------------|---------------|-0-----0-------|--------------------|
A:-0-----0-------|---------------|---------------|-0------0-----------|
E:---------------|-0-----0-------|---------------|--------------------|
PATTERN #8
e:----------0-----|----------0-----|----------0-----|----------0-----|
B:-------2----2---|-------2----2---|-------0----0---|-------0----0---|
G:-----2--------2-|-----2--------2-|-----1--------1-|-----1--------1-|
D:---2------------|---2------------|---2------------|---2------------|
A:-0--------------|-0--------------|----------------|----------------|
E:----------------|----------------|-0--------------|-0--------------|
PATTERN #9
16 Legendary Fingerpicking Pattern - Pattern #9
e:---0-------------|---0-------------|---0-------------|---0-------------|
B:-----2---2-------|-----2---2-------|-----0---0-------|-----0---0-------|
G:-------2---2---2-|-------2---2---2-|-------1---1---1-|-------1---1---1-|
D:-------------2---|-------------2---|-------------2---|-------------2---|
A:-0---------------|-0---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0---------------|-0---------------|
PATTERN #10
e:----------0---------|----------0----------|----------0----------|
B:-------2----2-------|-------0----0--------|-------2----2--------|
G:-----2--------2---2-|-----1--------1---1--|-----2--------2---2--|
D:---2------------2---|---2------------2----|---2------------2----|
A:-0------------------|---------------------|-0-------------------|
E:--------------------|-0-------------------|---------------------|
PATTERN #11
e:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B:---------2-------|---------2-------|---------0-------|---------0-------|
G:-----2-----2---2-|-----2-----2---2-|-----1-----1---1-|-----1-----1---1-|
D:---2---2-----2---|---2---2-----2---|---2---2-----2---|---2---2-----2---|
A:-0---------------|-0---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0---------------|-0---------------|
PATTERN #12
e:-------------0-----------|-------------0------------|
B:-2-------2-----------2---|-0-------0-----------0----|
G:-----2-----------2-------|-----1-----------1--------|
D:---2-------2---2-------2-|---2-------2---2-------2--|
A:-0-----0-----0-----0-----|--------------------------|
E:-------------------------|-0------0----0------0-----|
PATTERN #13
e:-------------0-----------|-------------0------------|
B:-----2-----2-----2-----2-|-----0-----0-----0-----0--|
G:---2-----2-----2-----2---|---1-----1-----1-----1----|
D:-------2-----------2-----|-------2-----------2------|
A:-0-----------0-----------|--------------------------|
E:-------------------------|-0-----------0------------|
PATTERN #14
e:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B:---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|--0-------0------|---0-------0-----|
G:-------2-------2-|-------2-------2-|-------1-------1-|-------1-------1-|
D:-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|
A:-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0--------0------|-0-------0-------|
PATTERN #15
e:-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|
B:---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
G:-----2-------2---|-----2-------2---|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|
D:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
A:-0-------0-------|-0------0--------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|
PATTERN #16
e:-------------|-------------|---------------|----------------|
B:-----------2-|-----------2-|-------------0-|--------------0-|
G:-------2-----|-------2-----|--------1------|--------1-------|
D:---2-----2---|---2-----2---|---2-------2---|---2-------2----|
A:-0-----------|-0-----------|-----2---------|-----2----------|
E:-----0-------|-----0-------|-0-------------|-0--------------|
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Comments
1.
michael says
November 17, 2010 at 1:08 am
cool, good stuff (also for guitarstudents)
2.
Klaus Crow says

Hi Michael,
Indeed great for students and a good post for teachers as well. :-)
Good luck with it!
Klaus Crow
3.
Vincent says
November 17, 2010 at 4:29 pm
This is it Klaus!
Great post, I believe its exactly what people need to do in order to improve!
4.
Phil says
This is an excellent jumping point for someone whos been wanting to dabble in
fingerpicking but never knew a good place to start. Guitarhabits has been a
worthwhile addition to my online activities. Thanks a bunch!
5.
Klaus Crow says

Hi Vincent,
Thanks mate.
I think these are good exercises to improve and expand your fingerpicking
vocabulary.
Klaus Crow
6.
Klaus Crow says

Hi Phil,
Im really happy to hear that.
If you got any questions about the patterns or anything else let me know.
Thanks for turning to Guitarhabits.

Klaus Crow
7.
mark dean says

August 2, 2011 at 1:05 am
# 16 leaves me wanting more!!!think ill and my own end to it!.Love your site
Klaus,your a good man,its easy to see
8.
giovanni pradetto says

August 20, 2011 at 11:20 pm
mi piace mi sembra efficente
9.
pate says
September 25, 2011 at 2:44 pm
all such additions are gratefuly accepted thank you
10.
Neva says
October 23, 2011 at 8:10 am
Hey Thanks so much for this! The exercises are great and its set up so nicely with
the audio examples. Ive been wanting to expand my picking skills and this
makes it very easy. Thanks againwe appreciate it!
11.
Klaus Crow says

October 23, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Hi Neva,
Glad you like it. Keep on improving those skills, itll pay off!
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
12.
Ben says
December 25, 2011 at 2:16 am
How do you read these tabs?
13.
Trevor says
January 1, 2012 at 1:10 am
Great stuff,much appreciated
14.
Annie says
January 3, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Thanks so much for this, very helpful with the audio. It has gone a long way in
helping my fingerpicking skills, and I try to run through one of these a day as
part of my practise. Much appreciated!
15.
Mark says
Any ideas for songs that match up well with a some of these patterns?
16.
Arlen says
January 10, 2012 at 10:39 pm
This is an awesome list. Ive been trying to improve my finger picking a lot lately
and this is a huge help. To anyone else trying to learn to finger pick, I would
suggest you learn the song Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotton. It has been a huge
help in getting my right hand fingers used their string assignments.
17.
Yo-ko-Oh-No! says
February 18, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Answer to mark, (8th of jan, 2012). From the 12th to the end you will find it in
songs like:
-Helplessly hoping CSN. You can find the tabs almost anywhere in tablature
sites in the net.
-Check some mississippi John Hurt songs beautiful picking. Be patient!!
-Bron-yr-yaur -Led Zep. It is an arpeggio very nice but at the beggining its quite
tricky. Ull find the tab in lots of sites. The problem is ull find a little bit lost as it
is a funny tunning invented by Page in a sort C!
-Some country and rockabilly songs have patterns like that, check Merle Travis,
like 9 pounds hammer which is not really tough.
-Beatles, Dear Prudence. It is drop D. Very beautiful and easy. Try with Blackbird
as well. Very helpful.
Good luck mate
18.
John says
March 8, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Really interesting and useful information. It would be an additional help if the
appropriate time signature had been provided against each pattern. A further
bonus would be the actual musical score in conventional notation. This would
help me to practice when I dont have access to the Web.
Many Thanks
19.
Mateusz says
March 20, 2012 at 1:34 am
Thanks a lot brother this is just wonderful to have all those patterns collected in
one place and including the soundclips is just great idea cause sometimes its
really hard to get the style of playing just reading the tabs. Once again THANK
YOU !!
20.
margie says
May 8, 2012 at 4:54 am
Can I ask a dumb question. Just learning here. what do the numbers refer to? I
understand PIMA but am lost here. Thanks for any help.
21.
margie says
May 8, 2012 at 4:55 am
Im just learning and am lost. How do you read these things. I know PIMA but
what do the numbers apply to.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
22.
Edwin says
May 9, 2012 at 11:36 am
Margie,
If I understand your question correctly the answer is:
The numbers stand for the guitar fred.
When I look at the first pattern it starts with the A cord. That is 3 fingers on the
second fred on the strings DGB. You only pick the A, G, B, e string. therefore you
see 0 2 2 0 2 2
Hope this helps.
23.
Priyantha says
May 18, 2012 at 11:26 am
Dear Sir,,,
I really appreciate your work. These patterns are really matching with our songs.
If you have any lessons about hammer on and finch off etc. pls send me
God bless you.

Priyantha Sri Lanka
24.
Vin says
June 15, 2012 at 7:07 pm
Thats some nice patterns
Loved it!!!
25.
onegoodmule says
June 16, 2012 at 8:41 am
Can you list other chord combinations that sound as nice? I love the E & A, but it
would be nice to practice with other combos as well.
26.
Anna says
June 19, 2012 at 4:46 am
I am teaching myself to play guitar, so this is a big help!! Thanks!
27.
Kim Forcade says

June 22, 2012 at 8:01 pm
These 16 patterns are helping me with my fingerpicking.
Can you tell me what songs are played with each of the different patterns.
Thank you
28.
Esther says
July 19, 2012 at 9:16 am
Great patterns. Thanks for posting them.
29.
Bob says
August 17, 2012 at 2:10 am
Thank you for the array of different patterns. These offer some new ones that go
beyond many of the book patterns out there and offer a good challenge. See, who
says you cant get decent information on the net?
30.
Chris says
August 26, 2012 at 6:18 am
Hi great lesson mate just wandering about my right hand.What fingers should
pluck what strings?
31.
Paul says
Klaus,
Thanks! This is exactly what I have been looking for. I am beginner to

intermediate level, and wanted a place where I could find some common picking
patterns. I recognize a few patterns from some Jack Johnson songs I know. Are
you familiar with John Prine and know which patterns he favors?
32.
Chris says
PATTERN #12 is sooooo Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits!
33.
dave says
September 30, 2012 at 2:36 am
Does anyone know the fingerpicking pattern for Mary Gauthiers Mercy Now?
34.
chris k says
October 7, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Exactly what I was looking for to jump start my fingerpicking lessons. I am a
beginner about 9 months in and felt it was time to try some different approaches
to playing. This is a great training tool that I come back to all the time. Thanks so
much!
35.
Georgie says
October 20, 2012 at 6:14 am
#12 is my favorite! Awesome website, very helpful.
:)
36.
Chris says
Hey, Georgie, I mentioned it before but if you like #12, definitely check out the
song Romeo and Juliette by Dire Straits. Exact same pattern and amazing voice!!
37.
Timo says
Coolest thing ever man, thanx a mill
38.
Emily says
I actually use #14 all the time (figuring it out after a bit of playing around), and
didnt realise it was so popular. :)
Will definitely be checking the rest of these out more thoroughly.
39.
zack says
thanks, been playing with a pick for too long and want to get used to
fingerpicking. Trying to take it slow. Can anyone tell me some songs that use the
first 5 so I can play along?
40.
Chris says
Nothing else matters kinda uses a variation of the first 5. Theres just a bunch of
fills and stuff though.
41.
Chris says
Another great song to learn fingerpicking is Broken by Seether. I dont really
know if its based on any of these styles but theres some pretty straight forward
tabs. Make sure to tune a half step down. Especially if youre trying the one with
Amy Lee.
42.
Klaus Crow says

December 2, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Hi Chris,
Amy Lee definitely brings an amazing flavor to the song. Love it!
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
43.
robert says
to play music is a wounderful gift but to give freely of skill knowledge and the
ability to teach and to reach people in this process
is honorable. from this 78 yr old guy to a young guy THANK YOU

i have just started on this musical journey and your gift to us on
this site sure has taken alot of the bumps out of the road for me
my learning is much more fun now sounds lot better to
THANK YOU YOUNG MAN
44.
Klaus Crow says

Hi Robert,
Thank you for your kind words. Hearing that you enjoy your musical journey
like this keeps me writing posts on guitarhabits.
Thank you I really appreciate it.
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
45.
joe de la Garza says

Travis picking style is my passion, and I hope to master the pattern. And Im
looking for G maj., F , Bminor , B minor 7. thanks for your music.
46.
Animesh Sinha says

Its a pleasure to play all these and equally soothing to hear them.
Thanks Klaus for the patterns!!!
47.
Emer says
January 23, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Dear Klaus, I agree with Robert that it is extremely generous of you to take the
time to share all this information with us. Many thanks. I have a question: when
you play #1 with an Em chord all the strings that you pluck are in fact open is
that just part and parcel of the method? It still sounds great to me as you move
through a succession of chords but I was wondering if I am doing something
wrong? Regards Emer.
48.
Kurt says
Hi Klaus,
I just found this page while doing a search. Great resource for finger-picking! Its
great to have the tabs & the audio of the pattern to verify that youre playing it
correctly when doing new patterns.
I will have to spend some time browsing the rest of the site.
Thanks!
49.
Rod says
Klaus,
I am just learning to pick up a guitar and I frankly am not sure I understand how
to read the patterns above. I am sure I sure I should understand. Can you give me
a little guidance as to how to read so that I can try and learn to use the exersises.
Thank you
50.
Marc says
Hi KlausIm really glad that I found your site. Ive been looking at your 16 picking styles.
Is it possible to get the tabs for each of these in a larger format. The ones
accompanying your videos are a bit too narrow and the spacing makes pinches
look like sequences and visa versa.
Marc
51.
Klaus Crow says

Hey Marc,
Try to zoom in or out on the page. Maybe that helps.
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
52.
Magnus says
March 7, 2013 at 1:33 am
Really great stuff, Claus! This site would be really top notch if you also would
give some examples of songs to apply the picking patterns to.
As the tabs concerns, change the font to Courier new and the picking patterns 2
16 will be as neat as pattern no.1! =)
//Magnus, Sweden
53.
Marc says
March 7, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Thanks, Magnus. I dont know how to make that change on the web page itself
but by copying and pasting onto Word, it automatically cleaned up the spacing
problem. I also agree that it would be great to have some examples of what songs
apply to the patterns.
54.
david stanford says

March 13, 2013 at 4:58 pm
I am 72 years old. Ive been a painter photographer and film director most of my
life. I have filmed and photographed some of the biggest rock stars. I have just
decided to teach myself guitar and you are an inspirationThe gentle approach
to teaching you take is great Many thanksMaybe we will meet one day
ThanksKeep up the good work!!
David
55.
Stuart says
March 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Just stumbled across this wee page, cant wait to get home a give this a go, I
know a few of these already Ps Magnus Its up to you now to find what
works with what songs But you will have lots of fun trying it out..
56.
Peran says
March 15, 2013 at 10:25 pm
i enjoy picking alot more than strumming and this helped me learn alot, thank
you :)
57.
Tony says
March 23, 2013 at 8:03 pm
I havent played (strummed) a guitar since I was at school 30-some years ago and
last week,I decided to buy a good quality guitar to learn to play finger-style i.e.
properly!
Because of your well constructed tutorials and delivery, you have taught me so
much in such a short space of time.
Klaus, you are brilliant!
Thank you, Sir
58.
Chris says
April 30, 2013 at 1:51 am
Hey thanks so much for setting this out so clearly. Anyone got tips to fast track
your brain into making your fingers follow a pattern please help!
What would take this even further is maybe ten popular songs alongside each
pattern to help us learn but hey we always will want more!
Thanks again.:)
59.
Marc says
April 30, 2013 at 3:45 am
I agree with Chris. Having even one or two iconic songs tied to each pattern
would make it much more useful than trying out all 16 styles for any new song,
particularly when we are not as versed in the finger picking as Klaus.
marc
60.
edel says
May 3, 2013 at 2:15 pm
hey I have been playing guitar for twenty years now only playing rhythm on a 12
string, I decided I wanted to start learning how to pick and didnt know were to
start, I came across your page the other day and you have helped me heaps.
Thank you so much for making this amasing page.
61.
Ted Lonnberg says

May 22, 2013 at 5:54 am
Just wanted to express my gratitude and say thank you for sharing so many great
lessons. This site is a great resource!
62.
Hans says
May 26, 2013 at 9:00 am
Thanks Klaus
This is great I even find some of the patterns I use :-) but there are also some
that are new to me and require practice
63.
Klaus Crow says

May 26, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Hi Hans,
Enjoy the new fingerstyle patterns and incorporate them into your songs. Thats
the best way to memorize them.
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
64.
Gene Pindser says

May 27, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Hey Klaus,
Im 77 years old, and four months ago, decided to learn guitar. So far, Im doing
that three chords and the truth thing pretty good. Actually have about 15
chords memorized, but the chief item on my bucket list is learning how to
Travis Pick. I think your finger picking patterns are going to do the job for me.
Currently beginning #4. Confidence is building. Thanks!
I will keep posting as I progress.
Gene
65.
zorameagle says
June 7, 2013 at 6:15 pm
thanks a a million ton.one of the best guitar tutorials in youtube
66.
Gary Rice says

June 7, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Klaus,
Thanks for the 16 patterns- not only are they extremely well done, but you
obviously thought about how to most effectively present them from the
watcher/listeners perspectivetheres a ton of junk out there, but this is really
perfect.after hearing your comment at the outset, I jumped straight in at
pattern number 12!
One question- and it may well be on others minds as wellthe D chord, with the
root note on the D (4th) string. How do you play / modify a pattern when
playing a D chord? That would help me a ton- I always struggle with that.
Cheers and thanks,
Gary
67.
Johnny says
June 26, 2013 at 12:10 am
Hi Klaus,
Great tutorials, I`ve been strumming for a few years but have been trying
fingerpicking and came across your site, some nice patterns and I like the way
you teach, easy to listen to. are they all 4/4 time, or how do you work out what
time Signature they are in.
Many thanks again, Johnny.
68.
Tony says
July 6, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Dear Klaus
First off I would like to thank you for putting up this great website which has
helped me a lot with my guitar skills so thank you! Also I would like to ask of
you a favor that if you could please go to this song on YouTube Troublemakerby Gabriela Quevedo and help me figure out what finger picking pattern she uses
it would mean a lot please and thank you! -tony
69.
lm says
July 21, 2013 at 11:27 am
Dear Klaus,
Very interesting and fruitful.
Could you precise for each pattern whether it is a 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 or 6/8 etc?
Thanks in advance.
lm
70.
Davin says
August 14, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Thanks so much for posting this Klaus
71.
Matt says
August 15, 2013 at 5:07 am
Wow. Endless thanks for explaining these 16 techniques!
I have a question right off the bat: in #1, why bother to form the full E and A
chords with the left hand, since few of those particular fingered strings are
plucked? Just curious. Its probably just a good habit to form the full chords.
Thanks again.
72.
Marc R says
August 21, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Hi Klaus,
Really useful video clips, I like your chilled-out style of teaching, really
comprehensive and slow enough but not too slow, thanks!
Marc.
73. I says
August 30, 2013 at 3:41 am
wow, super helpful! thank you so muchso easy to use and understand! I
love it!! so fun!!
74.
Agnelo says
Hello Klaus,
Your tutorials of these fingerpicking patterns are simply superb. I have a question
regarding pattern #12, what will be the pattern if the root note is on the 4th
string, like a D chord ?. Thanks a lot Take care.
75.
Dee says
Great,Been wanting to know this. THANKS.
76.
Akua Kamau says

Klaus, many many thanks for this man. I needed some new patterns and I got it
right here. CHEERS brother.
77.
Alison Hughes says

Klaus, this is a wonderful site, and I am so pleased to have found it. Ive just
started playing guitar, though I always wanted to learn. Turned 50 and figured it
was a good time to begin! I love the intimacy of acoustic finger picking, and
hadnt been able to find much in the way of patterns to learn. This lesson is
perfect! Thank you for sharing your skills, my friend. I shall bookmark this site
and peruse more of your teachings. Kind regards, indeed.
78.
Klaus Crow says

Hi Alison,
Youre never to late to learn.
Maybe you like this post as well
http://www.guitarhabits.com/10-reasons-why-you-are-never-too-late-to-learn/
Thanks for your kind feedback.
Kind regards,
Klaus Crow
79.
Scott van Heerden says

October 19, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Cool list, nice exercises as a refresher or for beginners!
I think there might be a mistake with Ex#8 though, there should be 6 notes per
bar but there are 7. In the video I think you dont play the A (4th string) in the A
chord and the Bb in the E chord which works. Its just the tab that has the
mistake.
Thanks a lot.
80.
Scott van Heerden says

October 19, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Theres a very similar mistake in the tab for Ex#10 as well. Not trying to be a
complainer! Just trying to help out :)
Kind regards.
81.
Ismail H. - Sri Lanka says

Super stuff I really like it !
82.
Scott M says
I stumbled on your site looking for fingerpicking pattern so I am not just
strumming the chords to a song. Some of these patterns seem better for 3/4 time
vs 4/4, I.e. The number of notes in a pattern. Am I correct or just overthinking it.
83.
naomi says
wow this is absolutely amazing!
good stuff :)
84.
William R. "Bill" Tallman says

I come from a background of drumming. Have recorded and six years ago
decided to learn how to play the guitar. I DID NOT start playing guitar at six
years old (Im 58) but have gotten to this point
http://www.soundcloud.com/wrtallman-1 I am concentrating on fingerpicking
the 6 & 12 string guitars. My question is, Could you please tell me which
pattern(s) John Prine uses? Thank You in advance and I sincerely like
EVERYTHING you are doing here!!!
85.
JK says
Most of these patterns are a total bore and sound almost identical.
Do you have anymore spicy patterns? For instance from the department of Travis
picking? How about the pattern from In The Early Mornin Rain? Then were
talking.
86.
Glenn says
Thanks for the humble donation of your time to put this on the web. Even though
I use a gdae tuning I still find these patterns helpful. May God bless you.
87.
Harlan says
Congratulations on a very professional website and sixteen wonderful patterns.

One suggestion: consider developing an Air Guitar instructional website for
visitors like JK who left that present last Christmas.
88.
Simon T says
This is fantastic, very helpful. Could you just elaborate what to do with the D
chord or chords with the D string as the root. Im not sure what to alternate bass
wise.
89.
Dev_D says
Great lesson, thank you for sharing! This is an area I have always struggled with.
I can sweep arpeggios like nothing but for some reason my fingers cant pick!
These fingerpicking patterns will definitely help me develop my skills further. I
especially like that youve included video AND TABS. Thanks for sharing!
90.
Lani says
Thank you!!! Ive been teaching myself guitar and have been wanting to figure
out finger picking for a while now. Im dyslexic and havent been able to
understand any patterns the way theyre written for the longest time, so when
you went slowly and talked about how to do it while you were playingwell,
that made all the difference! It suddenly clicked for me and now I can make the
connection of the visual to the sound. :-) Youre awesome! Thank you!!!
91.
gerald pugh-roberts says

thank you for the help with the finger picking patterns.I find them very helpful
with my attempt to play Spanish guitar.about six months ago I bought a guitar at
a boot fair and at the age of 79 I need to learn rapido.
92.
coking says
March 19, 2014 at 1:34 am
Special Request
Hello
Im Arab guitarist
I Entered into your site
and I was impressed with way too much and the way you play your
announcements
I play the Finger Style way
But I can not make music in a way Finger Style
So I hope you will help me in making music this way
I will Sended to you a song for Arab singer her name Fairouz
I should be drafted by way Finger Style
and tell me how much the cost of the song and how to send money to you
of course this will not be the last song
Accept greetings
93. Priyantha says

April 4, 2014 at 3:10 pm
pls what is the meaning of following tabs (within brackets)

1-(0)
22-(0)
how to play notes in the brackets
94.
coking says
April 4, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Hi
Please can you send your email to me
I want to talk to you in a special theme
I send message for you before in March 19, 2014 at 1:34 am
Thank you
95.
vraj sharma says

April 7, 2014 at 10:34 am
is this exercise can mak me the master of finger picking :-)
96.
youpie says
May 27, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Hello Klaus vertel my, is de guitar serie 16 picking patterns te koop ???
97. Klaus Crow says
May 27, 2014 at 3:44 pm

Hi Youpie,
The lesson videos are for free as you can see along with the tablature provided.
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
98.
Jamie says
June 26, 2014 at 1:32 am
This is awesome! How do you figure out which pattern to use though? Im trying
to learn Autumn to May by Peter Paul and Mary, do I use any pattern?
99.
Bennie Trejo says

July 16, 2014 at 5:17 am
This site is really great!!! Ive been playing for over 40 years and finally got the
nerve to try to finger pick. I love the way you explain and show how to pick
effectively especially for slow learners like me. I just started your tutorials
yesterday and am already starting pattern #3. I want to thank you and I really
appreciate your lessons and feel it will add another dimension to my guitar
playing. Thanks a million!!!
100.
Steve Lucocq says

August 5, 2014 at 9:40 am
Thanks for this. I have been dropping into this page for a while and have found it
a great help. I have been mixing and matching a few patterns and with different
cords which can sound good. It would be helpfull if combination patterns and
alterative cords were included as well as sone other more advanced patterns to
allow progrestion( that is if u have the time? ) many thanks and this website has
been a great help for me whilst struggling with a long term illness. Cheers
101.
Will says
August 10, 2014 at 6:21 pm
I agree that the Travis picking is (for me anyway) the most interesting
pattern. With it you can then add melody notes and start playing Merle Travis
tunes (or any tune come to that even the Beatles) The other patterns are great
finger exercises but really for accompaniment, in other words good for singing to,
whilst the Travis picking you can be a virtual one-man band. Finger-picking can
add a lot to your enjoyment than merely strumming. Make damn sure (as in
these examples) you play the correct notes and in strict time. Speed up gradually
and they sound fantastic (especially the Travis picking style)
102.
Ray says
August 21, 2014 at 8:00 pm
Thank you very much for giving us these patterns. Very useful.
103.
brian says
September 23, 2014 at 4:20 am
Hello,
Thank you for the great lessons. So far the easiest way for me to learn is when
you describe each finger placement for each string. It had me playing along faster
than any other teaching method.
I have the same question as the post from September 3, 2013. I am wondering
about the D and F chords and if all the 16 fingerpicking patterns can be applied
when the root is on the 4th string. I have been double plucking the 4th string for
some patterns and it sounds ok. But I am a bit perplexed for pattern #12.
Thanks much!
104.
money online says

I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This paragraph posted at this site is really good.
Look at my web site money online
105.
Elisa Jean says

Hi.
I really love these.
As a elementary guitar student, tthese plucking styles make me more falling in
love with guitar as well as music.
Thanks for your teaching.
106. JINGLES says

October 26, 2014 at 12:02 am
REALLY NICE!! I LIKE IT.. EASY TO FOLLOW
107.
Everett Bonds says

Hello All,
I think these patterns are perfect for the beginner guitarist who is just now
learning to finger pick. You need to begin with the easy ones in order to progress
to more difficult or you will get discouraged. Please learn easy first. You must
learn the easy ones so well, that you can do them without thinkingthey have to
go into your long-term memory in order to do that. Once that happens, you can
learn another, slightly more difficult pattern. This pattern took me 6 months to
learn and I do not recommend that you try unless you have already learned all
the rest. You will be frustrated, if you try to skip easier ones, not being ready for
it. It is difficult and your fingers wont be ready, accustomed. T6-3-T4-1-T5-2-T41. T stands for Thumb and number next to T, as in T6, means strike string 6. Good
luck. Later on, you will be able to add Melody. Much later. For now, go slowly
and in 6 months, if you work on this every day, for the next 6 months, for an hour
a day, it should go into your long-term memory. Good luck. You will need it. A
tough pattern. Just dont give up. It will make you a better guitar player.
108.
Everett Bonds says

Oops, I forgot, use an E chord with that pattern. or F, or G. Do not use an A
chord, B7 or C chord. This is for chords where the root of the chord is on the E
string, string (6). The pattern changes very slightly for other chords when the root
moves to other strings. If you get this pattern down perfectly, the changes are a
piece of cake to learn.
109.
Lars says
It would be very helpful if somebody would tell the rhythm counting in each
pattern ex whats in 3/4 4/4 6/8 ?
Pattern 12? is it sixteenth notes? please help
110.
Ysmael says
February 2, 2015 at 8:41 am
Very big thanks to you
111.
Ren Mendoza says

March 12, 2015 at 6:00 pm
Thank you for all of this. Im taking easy spanish learning at
http://preply.com/en/spanish-by-skype and also learn guitar at the same time
so I can practice your patterns.
112.
Paul Soloslow says

April 26, 2015 at 2:39 pm
These are very good with good instruction to establish time sigs To make them
brilliant you need to inc a song with each pattern.
Cheers Soloslow
113.
Nicolle says
May 11, 2015 at 3:01 am
thank you so much . I just believed I can actually play , seems a lot easier with all
info I found here .
bless !
cheers mate
114.
Guido says
May 12, 2015 at 11:10 am
Dear Klaus,
Can you(or other readers:D) please post an example of 1 song in which each
fingerpicking pattern is used(like house of the rising sun in pattern 8)?
That would really help me a lot to practice them.
keep up the good work!
115.
Martin says
July 24, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Hi Klaus,
Ive just seen the question before but I havent seen the answer What should
we play the pattern 12 with a D chord? If you get down all the notes what
become the low E-string at the third time? I got the same question with other
patterns Thanks a lot if you can help me.
Ive told you before but Im gonna repeat once again: your site is very helpful!
Really great work.
Martin
116.
De says
August 15, 2015 at 12:33 am
If one measure has 4 beats (4/4) and I use pattern 1 (above) then how many time
of pattern 1 I need to play? (4 times?)
If so then the P finger will land on the beat?
Thanks for your help in advance.
117.
Willie says
Asked but not answered, do you ship to Puerto Rico ? Alot of companys dont.
Like to order 50 blues licks.
118.
Klaus Crow says

Hi Willie,
The 50 Cool Blues licks is a downloadable guitar course. It doesnt need to be
shipped. You can download it instantly.
Best regards,
Klaus Crow
119. Anna says
February 16, 2016 at 1:33 am

Thank you so much. What a good guitar teacher you are.
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Klaus Crow says

Klaus Crow says

Klaus Crow says

Thanks for turning to Guitarhabits.

mark dean says

giovanni pradetto says

Klaus Crow says

God bless you.

Kim Forcade says

Thanks! This is exactly what I have been looking for. I am beginner to

Klaus Crow says

is honorable. from this 78 yr old guy to a young guy THANK YOU

Klaus Crow says

joe de la Garza says

Animesh Sinha says

Klaus Crow says

david stanford says

Thank you, Sir

Ted Lonnberg says

Klaus Crow says

Gene Pindser says

Gary Rice says

Akua Kamau says

Alison Hughes says

Klaus Crow says

Scott van Heerden says

Scott van Heerden says

Ismail H. - Sri Lanka says

William R. "Bill" Tallman says

Congratulations on a very professional website and sixteen wonderful patterns.

gerald pugh-roberts says

93. Priyantha says

pls what is the meaning of following tabs (within brackets)

vraj sharma says

97. Klaus Crow says

May 27, 2014 at 3:44 pm

Bennie Trejo says

Steve Lucocq says

money online says

Elisa Jean says

106. JINGLES says

REALLY NICE!! I LIKE IT.. EASY TO FOLLOW

Everett Bonds says

Everett Bonds says

Ren Mendoza says

Paul Soloslow says

Klaus Crow says

119. Anna says

February 16, 2016 at 1:33 am