Struggling With Fingerstyle

[luch-handt]

I’ve been to Brian’s fingerstyle lessons time and again and always come away dissatisfied, not because Brian doesn’t teach it well, but only because my coordination with it sucks. I came across another lesson on YouTube of a song I’ve always liked. So, I thought I would try it out, and I’ll be darned, it’s got fingerstyle in it. The song is Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. The fingerstyle isn’t extremely difficult in this song, and not a lot of changes so I’m still working on it. Both lessons show how to cheat and just use open chords, but since the fingerstyle in it isn’t intense, I’m going to continue my struggle. I also think that it would be very difficult to play and sing the words to this song. I can’t sing, but after I can play the thing I’m sure going to try I think it will be good for concentration.
Any feedback on this style of playing is welcomed.
Terry

[Neiles335]

I have been working on thi song too..frum youtube martyzsongs.. great tune. It is a bit of atoughie if youre not into fingerstyle… MAybe u should back up and try a simpler 3 cord progression say c f g7, to practise fingerstyle first then take another run at Fast car…

[Neiles335]

ps. I also found O had to practsce the playing to the point it was automatic before I couuld sing aalong withit…

[GnLguy]

Let me suggest a simple pattern that will have you playing an alternating bass line in 5 min or less

Hold your open C chord and use this pattern (legend: T = thumb i = index m = middle)
Beat 1 2 3 4
Finger T i T m
String 5 3 4 2

Now switch to your open position Am chord and pick the same pattern.

If you will pick this pattern slowly, it an alternating bass line in its most simple form. This is the one that I learned first and simple patterns of this nature is what is needed to build your coordination.

Apply this pattern to any open position chord, hitting the root of the chord first with the thumb and on beat 3, hit the bass note on the string below the root. Except on D – it is OK to hit string 5 because A is the 5th of the chord.

I know this isn’t Chet Atkins or Leo Kottke material but neither am I at the level of proficiency. I went thru the same thing with fingerstyle until I learned that I need to start simple before trying the complex pieces. We have to keep in mind if its on a recording, that person has been playing for years before the recording was made and unfortunately, most of us will arrive after many long hours and days do doing the simple basics.

Hope this helps

[luch-handt]

Thanks BH, I’ll try that, looks easy enough reading it. I’ve finally got Fast Car down, but it took a lot of practice.

[GnLguy]

Hmmm, my wife calls me BH sometimes…. usually not in reference to my Gibson Blueshawk

[GnLguy]

The slight variation of the fingerstyle pattern that I described earlier is the foundation for Dust In The Wind by Kansas. If you look at the tab for Dust In the Wind, after you work on some of these patterns, is actually a pretty easy tune to play

[luch-handt]

Cool, I like that tune!

[6stringer Pete]

@luch_handt wrote:

Cool, I like that tune!

you might like this site

http://www.tabnplay.com/

The melody of the notes is what expresses the art of music . 🙂 6stringerPete

It really is all about ”melody”. The melody comes from a language from our heart. Our heart is the muscle in music harmony. The melody is the sweetness that it pumps into our musical thoughts on the fretboard. 🙂 6 stringer Pete

Pete
Active Melody
Forum Moderator

[sunburst]

I’m not sure if it violates Active Melody’s TOS but, there are tons of easy tutorials to learn finger style of all kinds.. this guy is one of my favorites,, definitely not for beginners but keep at it lol.. his tutorial on Jerry Reed is my favorite. but start easy and take your time..http://youtu.be/2RRzWK7ROyg or just type in banjo rolls on youtube look for the italian guy

[GnLguy]

Jerry Reed was an amazing player and his songs always brought an element of humor with them. Lord Mr Ford and Amos Moses comes to mind

Would have been great to have had Jerry and Danny Gatton together. Gatton was kinda out that same mold as Jerry

I just don’t know how their hand moved that fast

[sunburst]

Don’t forget Roy hee haw! http://youtu.be/WFfB2JQmTCs looking there and hearing how loud and brite, I’m going to guess that be a D28 Martin.

[GnLguy]

Great Video for sure!

Judging from the headstock, its definitely a Martin.

When you saw that you had posted that video and was pulling it up, I thought of seeing him on a variety show doing something very similar, more of a single note mandolin approach.

I’m going to post a video of Phil Keaggy noodling around with some pedals as demo for the company that produces it, but the skills and talent he exhibits is amazing. Check it our

[Author]

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