Fingerpicking Tips To Save Years of Guitar Practice 

Best 20 minutes of lessons I've ever had. Thanks!

I’m 64 buying my first guitar always wanted to learn to play

RU-vid is littered with guitar teachers giving very brief and shallow lessons on techniques and whatnot, and then after the 8 or so minute video they plug their overpriced lessons on their website for more in depth lessons. And then this guy puts out a 20 minute video, perfectly paced and explained, in perfect lighting and an actual camera man. Easily one of the best guitar lessons on RU-vid.

How in the hell is this shit free. This guy is the perfect teacher. Chill as hell, perfectly paced, great pointers, and ultimately a bad ass player.

I’m blind and have always wanted to learn guitar but having browsed RU-vid for years trying to find the right tutor, I’ve struggled to find people who explain with words. It’s all very visual stuff. Thank you so much Justin for saying exactly what we need to do out loud..

It gets easier, but the path evolves. You will come to a point where youre able to watch a cover 1 time and be able to do it. Or to be able to do it by ear. Better yet, make your own songs Long road, enjoy each step

Summary : 2:07 Good finger position 3:18 Anchering 4:33 use mirror 5:02 1st exercice (pattern at 5:40) 7:43 2nd exercice (pattern at 9:04) 10:08 3rd exercice (pattern at 11:25) 12:40 4th exercice (pattern at 13:35) 14:28 cool shit 14:40 5th exercice (pattern at 16:09) 18:17 cool shit 18:51 final advices /!\ Be sure to watch the entire video before using this summary! /!\

I'm a 131 year old wizard and I just started playing the ukulele, thanks for the tutorial

I am turning 1,337 years old today and have been practicing for a full year with this method. I can confidently say that this year has been pivotal in my progress. Thank you.

I watched this video a few months ago and took Justins advice to heart and tried to adopt his great technique. Started playing in the mirror like he said...went from there. Started with the basics of fingerpicking and didn't pay too much attention to what chord i was fretting...just as long as i was getting my pattern down right. Thing is.....3 or 4 months down the track and i'm fingerpicking Joni Mitchell songs and the dirtiest delta blues you ever heard...just let yourself learn -both brain, mind and body...just fingerpick like crazy. You will quickly start gaining the needed muscle memory and strength but you really need to work that pinky!!! Mine has basically been unemployed my entire life and so was, at first, absolutely weak and useless...but a few months down the track i am getting real confidence in lil' pinky and he's there lightning fast when i call...... This really does work peoples.

At the first part of this year I was told that I'm in the end stages of heart failure and I just had my ninth heart attack three weeks ago. I'm 54 years old and my wife and I adopted our first child 6 years ago. I have always encourage my daughter to never say that she can't do something. That the only time you can't do something, it's because you stopped trying. About a month ago she, right out of the blue, said Papa teach me how to play a guitar. I said sweetheart your Papa can't play a guitar. Busted me with: Papa...did you stop trying. We both got guitars tonight. Never say you can't do something! I've watched this so many times tonight I'm starting to answer him! 🎅

I am a 60-year-old grandma finally learning finger picking! So excited. I hope to get my grandson learning early!

sunlight on the strings, is great, and it would also make a good song title.

I was thinking "wtf how are the strings in tune but so loose" and he immediately explained it. Nice work.

51 years old and started taking guitar lessons a year ago. Great video lesson. Thanks for the tips. Old guy like me needs all the help he can get.

I've never really felt comfortable using a pick when I play. I like using my hand and feeling the strings when I strum. As a beginner, you've got me excited about fingerpicking. I really appreciate these tips. Thank you, Justin, it's so cool to have a guitarist you admire show you how to play the guitar. 👍💖🎸😎

I am a 61 y.o. grandpa from South Africa. I used to mess around a bit on guitars during school years but all I remembered from that were a few chords. So, when the lockdown hit us by end March, I borrowed an acoustic guitar and started Justin's course. The man is a genius! The way the course builds up, preparing you for future lessons makes it extremely effective. In the past three months I have completed the fundamentals and intermediary courses and have since moved on to the Tennessee Hill Country Blues lesson, looking forward to mastering RumbleStrippin sometime soon. I have since bought some of his music downloads as well and as you can see, had become a huge fan! Thanks for all the joy you brought to my life Justin, God bless you! (even more)

I've been playing for 39 years. My single biggest regret in my self-taught approach is that I put ALL the emphasis on the left hand and none on the picking hand. In recent years I've really wanted to learn to finger pick but even in the RU-vid era, I couldn't find anyone that explained it in a way that really connected with me...until today. This is great. Thanks!!

46 yr old stayed at home mom w 3 kids. I watch my kids playing all kind of musical instruments and nagging all day for them to practice. Here I am going to try to learn the guitar on my own while sheltering in place. This time I have to live up to my own words. Count. Practice and Repeat. Wish me luck!!

A heart-felt Thank You. As a 59-year-old who put his guitars away several years ago, I want to voice my appreciation for this video. I pulled my guitars back out about a year ago, even bought a Gretsch (love it), but haven't really taken off playing again. I watched this video a few weeks ago and have been better at practice. Thank you for the motivation and knowledge. You have made a difference for me. Your talent and skill have you ranked with my guitar heroes, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins.

I appreciate a guy who was born to play and to teach with such clarity. I'm the kind of person who needs the whys behind the whats which you do so well, Thanks

This man is an exceptional teacher.

Honestly, don't think I've ever seen such a professional lesson, on every level, delivery, filming, everything. Thanks Justin, new sub here.

Justin, I’ve been playing for 15 years and your 20 minute video corrected a problem I’ve had all along. I wasn’t anchoring my picking hand, and I could never get any volume. In just 20 minutes you have given me a whole new way to play. Thanks so much !!

I'm seventy years old...I will buy my first guitar in three weeks....I just love this!!!!

Damn. I've been playing fingerstyle guitar for around 11 years now and I just want to say I've never come across such a great teacher on the internet or in person before. Thoughtful, to the point and just showing everybody how to do well for absolutely free. You're a great person, a great teacher and a great guitarist. Excellent use of lighting to help show what exactly is going on, too! Thanks for being you, man.

Free lessons from a virtuoso is insane. Thank the Lord for RU-vid. I have been playing for years and only learned about using my pinky to pick strings from this beginners lesson. It explains how he does some of the licks in his amazing arrangements.

The first actual helpful fingerpicking lesson I've ever had.

Justin, I've been picking for quite a while, but never thought there was something wrong with my picking finger positioning---specifically, the thumb being separated from the other fingers. My goodness, what a difference! I occasionally find myself slipping back to the thumb/finger collision style from before, but this new method will be anchored soon. This is one of those things where you ask yourself, "How did I not figure this out myself?" Life-changing (or at least picking-changing tip! Other great tips, too! Thanks so much.

There is only one thing I like more than your guitar playing, and that’s your attitude to helping others play. Many guitarists like simply to be better than others. You help others play better - so they can reach their own heights and make their own sweet music ... that’s got to make the World a better place. Peace, respect. All lives matter! 👍🏻👍🏿🎵

Best attitude in a teacher I’ve ever seen. Good man

I’m a 61 year old nurse, working through a pandemic. I just bought my first guitar, and hope to learn.

I absolutely love this guy. Wasted a few years on heavy metal guitar, i should have been playing blues this whole time

I just want to say thanks for your great lesson and to say I appreciate your calm, easy manner. You have a great speaking voice and a kind, thoughtful manner about you.

I'm from exactly 3000 years in the future. I've come back to check this guy out. Loved it. I'll be getting my first guitar exactly 3000 years and 1 day from today.

I've been playing guitar for many years. A friend of mine played fingerstyle and I asked him "how do you do that". He answered, "just do it". So 40 years later I'm still just doing it. I've been playing these same patterns for years but never really paused to break it down to realize exactly what I was "just doing". This video is helpful to me because it now gives me the ability to catagorise each pattern and organize my playing into more melodic results instead of the random never play it the same way twice method I've grown used to. Thank you Justin.👍

This video is pure gold. So much value and information. I watched 5 mins, and later while noodling on the guitar, applied this information to my playing and it just worked. The hand position and anchoring ideas when applied to already existing chord playing, just works. It doesn't take much effort. You sir, are the best! Much thanks!

I already taught myself all fingerstyle, but I love how straightforward he teaches, which screams "just practice!!!" its hilariouslt beautiful.

Awesome. What a teacher you are. The pace and the visibility are perfect. Such a good camera work. Finally I can see what the instructor is doing. Thank you so much.😊

@Justin- I have been trying and trying YEARS to figure out and master the fingerpicking process and to also be able to incorporate it within strumming. I'm SO HAPPY you popped up on my screen. Things happen in a person's life and for some (like myself) and you feel as if you've lost your music. I am one of those. Deep inside I KNOW and I'm searching once again for the music but I need to touch and be able to reach the soul searching depth and sound. I will be following you and want to say thank you for your kindness in sharing your gift. Truly!!!

Justin, I bought four of your guitar lesson DVD's from your website last week. And you have taught me more in the first 1/4 of the first DVD than all my guitar teachers combined have taught me over the past DECADES ! Thank you ! Not to slam all guitar teachers. I'm sure most of them are good. I just didn't know in the past what "fingerpicking" is and they didn't understand what I wanted to learn. When I wrote some tab to a song I wanted to play, one of them said, "Oh, you want to make every note count." So that's how I think of this style. Every note counts.

Thank you Justin! I’m picking up the guitar again after a 50 year rest, and yours has been the best, most encouraging and enjoyable lesson I’ve seen. Most teachers overlook a lot of the items you cover, from hand anchoring, to self-evaluation techniques, to simply going slowly enough to not only see but understand what your fingers are doing. Also, your honesty regarding the amount of practice needed to get good is refreshing! You have a willing student and I am eager to learn more! Thanks again!

I’ve been playing the guitar for over 20 years without ever learning any good fingerpicking. This is a very helpful video to inspire me. I’m finally going to start practicing. Thanks for the lesson.

I've been playing guitar for a long f'n time and finger picking is something I've always wanted to teach myself. This is the best breakdown of the technique I've seen. Great job Man! Thanks for posting.

I'm 55. I used to play and just recently bought a new acoustic guitar. I was pretty discouraged at how rusty I've become. I watched this video and really appreciate how helpful it is. Thank you Justin.

Thank you so much. I love your style of teaching. So clear and easy to understand. I am a total beginner at guitar at age 71. Have been playing ukulele for a number of years but thought I'd like to give guitar a go. So glad I found you.

This is without a doubt the most valuable 20mins of guitar instruction I've ever come across

I'm doing this now every day for 30 minutes and it's helping so much. Thank you for this exercises. Finally playing guitar is fun again, after being stuck in my development.

This (REAL finger style/picking) is exactly what I was looking for - Thanks! The sunlight trick is such a great idea. You are both a great player AND instructor. The internet is loaded with crap.

Thank you for this. My teen sons and I decided to learn to play the guitar. I have found I am more of a finger picker as opposed to a pick user. So many videos concentrate on the fret, but very few concentrate on the pick style. This will definitely help me define my fingerpicking style & technique.

So helpful. I’m in my 30s, been playing since I was a kid - I *always* had anchored with my pinkie & thought (years later) “well darn now I’ll never unlearn that” But he showed how it can best be used - thanks!

I've been working on these exercises during the quarantine and it's really paying off. Thanks a lot for the video, man.

I've always had problems with thumb positioning. Thanks for addressing that. No one else I've watched has ever talked about it.

I Love how these exercises were extremely universal. And cover a foundation for multiple patterns in the predictable future. And the sun was a nice touch for the strings. Been looking for this video all morning, thank you

Whatever you were playing right there in the beginning clenched it for me. I'm 65 years old, retired, bored, and I've been getting into drawing with graphite and color pencils because i need to do something to fight depression and boredom. I have a lot of talent in art, people say I'm really good. But art frustrates be because i don't know how to use other mediums and no one to teach me. And i don't love art enough to keep trying to study, experiment, and spend money trying different materials. So i wondered what i can do to get through the winter that would be more enjoyable than art. I looked up a couple videos on learning guitar. I realized that strumming doesn't do a whole lot for me but picking... Picking DOES. And exactly what you were playing that had that somewhat blues sound... THAT i love! I'm going today to look at some guitars. I can't wait to get started! Your video will be the first one i watch. Thank you!!!

First, I'm not an accomplished guitar player. Singer yes, songwriter pretty good, guitar, just not that hot. This lesson made really no sense to me when I watched it, but I did nothing but these patterns for a week, along with my daily scales and stretch routines.I found them honestly frustrating, as you said, it was like a little mind puzzle for my fingers and brain. I'm still not fast with them, didn't expect to be, but what I did notice is when I started playing songs again, everything felt smoother, more relaxed, and cleaner. I'm more aware of my positioning and posture. I'm more relaxed while playing. THis is easily the best lesson I've found on the net(and trust me, I've found way too many), and I'm truly grateful for it. Thanks so much.

I've only been frustrated by finger picking so far, hopefully these simpler steps will provide the momentum for success! And seriously, who would vote thumbs down on this? As a music educator, this is solid pedagogy!

I've always struggled to play smooth, fast arpeggios, but just emulating Justin, I've got them going already. Hand, arm, and finger positions come so naturally, I barely have to think about them. The Am got me going on the famous Animals' "House of the Rising Sun" lick and I realized that by playing a song I know, I can play arpeggios faster, smoother, and more naturally than just mechanical exercises. Brilliant!

Just turned 60 years old and bought a new guitar. Love this guy! Justin has really inspired me to practice. Could play nothing but the two string Honkytonk prior to discovering his RU-vid presence. You’re special brother, thanks. J.E. Shepard MSgt, USAF Ret.

I've been a fingerstyle guitarist for a long time and this is the best instructional video on fingerstyle guitar that I've seen. I play and sing at a lot of live jam session type events. Even got to play over at Buddy Guy's here in Chicago, and even so, I meet surprisingly few fingerstyle guitarists. I can chicken pick and play with a pick, of course, but fingerstyle is so intuitive and has such a distinctive sound. If you're ever in Chicago at a jam session, it would be great to jam sometime.

This is the second time I've watched this. I don't know why I got so much more out of it this time, but this presentation was very articulate, logical and approachable. Fingerpicking is a technique I've always wanted to acquire and I think this video will be invaluable. Thank you Mr. Johnson!

This guy is one of the best guitar teachers I've ever found on RU-vid... thank you so much!

Back when I was teaching guitar ... my students ranged in age from 5 to 90! All are welcome! Today I'm 61 and front a cover band, play in a trio, duo, and as a solo performer. Go for it!! 😎🎸👍

G'day Justin, as someone who teaches music (saxophone) this was a really lovely lesson. Nice, slow and helpful and not condescending at all. Well done man! Could watch and listen to you play for hours!

Quote from country legend 'learn all the fingerpicking patterns, then forget them' These add more 'finger yoga' to the patterns i already use and wouldn't be able to play through the lesson without learning these 'new' patterns. Learn 'em, forget 'em, then let the muscle memory do the rest. Thanks mate, I've put these in my drill book and you are subbed !

love his laidback style. Superterrific!

I've never rested my wrist against the soundboard. I tried it and woah!! I could really feel the guitar and have a new appreciation for this technique and the sound of my instrument. After trying these exercises, I realized how part of my brain was not working for control. Thank you Justin!!

Man, highly appreciated from a beginner, just about to start the journey at the ripe age of over 50's !

Thank you for this wonderful lesson about fingerpicking tips for me as a beginner. I could sing well as a vocalist and soloist, but I moved to Sweden where no one could play piano and guitar for me. Thus I have decided to learn it during free time. :)

Thank you so much! i'm super glad you're the kind of musician that actually cares about his audience :)

Thank you Justin Johnson for your time and effort in creating this tutorial. I haven't played the guitar in years but you have inspired me to break old habits that were holding me back. Flourish and prosper everyone and keep music live. X

WOW neat sunlight trick! You can actually see which strings are in action.👍

Outstanding presentation in the sun to help show which strings are being picked. You must be a mind reader because right when I said to myself, "His strings look loose," you immediately explained the effect caused by the sun.

My dad has always been amazing and I was, lost, thinking I could never compare. Once I got the pentatonic scales and bends down, the guitar is an addiction now. You're an awesome teacher and I truly appreciate the great skills. I have and will be watching and playing along to all your videos. Thanks. Cheers. B

This feels like a private lesson. Amazing!

Thanks for this lesson. I played guitar back in the 80's and then set it aside for many years. Just now getting back to it. Your video just jump started my relearning process by a great degree!

holy crap, the intro alone has me dazzled !!!! so much to learn from such a legend-class guitarist

We bought a guitar for my son 5 and I’m 41. Trying to learn the basic. Thank you for sharing. It’s amazing to watch how you play 🙏

Thanks, back to the roots. This is EXACTLY what I needed to get more consistent. Without a good anchor point my hand was never at the same angle so it was impossible to play with consistency.

The man is a freaking genius, yet seems incredibly nice, polite, and humble. So cool.

These tips are essential to starting out fingerpicking, and Justin delivered it in such a seamless and natural way :) And the wobbling strings sure help hahah

I've been trying to learn this for YEARS! Thanks for being the first one to adequately explain how to finger pick properly.

Just discovered you and I think I'm in love with you!!! With this vid you have indirectly answered SO many of my questions and put other thoughts at ease that other instruction hasn't. Even better, it's like you intuitively knew what I haven't been able to get instructors to understand about my struggles. Just a GREAT BIG thanks to you, man!! I hope I get to see you play some day! With lot's of love and appreciation from Montreal, Canada.

BRILLIANT I wish I had this video 50 years ago. a wonderful and complete lesson I have to say I agree with others comments as to Mr Johnsons gift to teach I will be sharing this with every student I come across thank you

Having been playing for over a quarter century I often fall into the hubristic trap of thinking that "beginner/intermediate" lessons have nothing to offer me. Thanks for kicking my ass on that. Just following along for the duration of the video I felt my control, accuracy and endurance improve as well as hearing a real difference in the clarity of my playing. You can teach an old dog new tricks, sometimes you've just got to shake a few bad habits out of them first. I owe you one brother.

Lol. SOO much harder than i thought it would be. I took a piano course years ago and it seemed a whole lot easier. I got my guitar 2 weeks ago and I'm still not really fluent at the first couple patterns but I'm encouraged because I'm seeing some muscle memory starting up. Because of that, i accept that it's going to take a really really really long time for me to have any proficiency. But his style of teaching is great. Once i get a little under my belt I'll start buying his instructional vids. Huge thanks to Justin!

Wow, I simply LoVe everything Justin does❣❣❣...such an amazing, caring, genuine guy who values sharing his music with his fans. Not too many people out there in the world who are such lovely souls 😇 and not driven solely by the mighty dollar. You're a unique treasure 💜Justin. Thanks for caring and sharing your talents 👌❣

I've been play gutair since I was 15. I'm 20 now and I feel like I'm not learning new techniques, just playing what I know. I'm excited to expand my horizons and take on some new challenges!

At 60 I am just starting Thank YOU Justin Johnson !

I bought a Martin D10e last summer and tried watching all the videos from everyone, music theory etc. Its a pleasure to just watch Justin. I caught the virus, spent 4 days in the hospital at 53 yo and proclaimed to the staff that I had to get back to my guitar because the best part of my old age was about to happen. I did the mirror thing, twas kinda neat for 2 minutes. I trained my ears and fingers for 20 hours like Justin is sharing here, also learned to hold the pick(s) proper and close my eyes to enjoy what I was doing. I had to learn to strum proper, with emotion. Then I had to learn the diff between agressive play and relaxed play going up and down the fret with both hands and all fingers. At last, 5 months into learning I could make up my own arrangements by ear. I learned how to use the thumb from Flea and my finger style came from watch that flamenco style guy with the goatee. Kid you not, I used to lay to bed in the dark with my old Fender to learn how to not see the strings and hear what I was doing. Fender went in the garbage, Martin came home from Guitar Center.

Wow, you are the most dedicated teacher I came across, paid attention to the most important techniques🤷‍♀️👑❤💯💪😚

If I might add one more comment to this video. That is, despite my not being in complete agreement with the desirability of "anchoring" with the right hand, I do agree with his other two major points. That is, do make sure your thumb strums out of the way of the other fingers. His suggestions are spot on with that. (Please scroll down to read more.) Likewise, I am in complete agreement about the benefits of spending at least some time practicing in front of a mirror. The benefits go beyond simply observing our right-hand technique, however. Also beneficial is to observe our overall posture while playing. It's all too easy to develop poor posture while playing, often slumping over the guitar. Not only does this look "goofy" but also is very bad for our backs. Another reason to observe ourselves in the mirror is to check our facial expressions. For example (although I know it comes from cultural differences) so many guitar player's faces on Asian players are "expressionless". They often play "poker faced". In Western cultures, this is interpreted as "not being into the music". (Not so in Asia where music is more often judged solely on the sound the instrument is putting out, not on how the performer looks). By the same token we don't want to have silly "tortured looks" on our faces like competitors in an air-guitar contest. At some point we all will be "performing in front of other people", so it's a good idea to occasionally look in a mirror while practicing, just to see ourselves from that third-person perspective. If you find yourself looking "silly" or playing with poor posture, you can work those things while playing in front of a mirror. After some time (just like any other aspect of our playing), your "desired expression and posture" will begin to feel natural. Let me rephrase that last sentence... It won't begin to "feel natural", it will "be natural".

Man Justin, I've been a fan of your music for a long time! I have to tell you that your instruction style is fantastic! I've had other lessons from other teachers and videos but your teaching style thus far has been the best! very clear and concise! Thank you for what you do!

Thank you Justin. In many videos by pro guitarists addressing proper right hand technique, fingers are so close to the strings the striving beginner can't really see which ones are being plucked. Brilliant idea to use bright sunlight to better show your technique as lighting contrast accentuates active strings. Pretty clever!! Your slow, complete and patient teaching technique is most appreciated. I learned the most about proper finger technique from this video( and have watched many)!!

My gosh, you've just helped me so much... THANKS for the excellent lesson! :)

Justin is one of a kind , especially these days. Great taste and always excellent musicianship. Keeping the great music and techniques alive

I just thought how it would be in like 60 years when i'm 75 and i practiced guitar my whole life. I bet it'll be fun

I'm 62 and I have played at a Guitar since I was 14 years old always wanted to finger pick for 48 years I have been misten on a proper g chord formation. In the past 2 days I have now learned the proper g chord and now it's like starting over.

You are one of the reasons I have decided to pick up the guitar again! Thank you for the fantastic video, Im very excited for more of this kind ofcontent!

Big fan Justin. And this is my first plucking lesson. Thank you so much for the lesson sir. I really love your style, especially those early albums, they are on permanent rotation. 😊