Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with fingerstyle

African geetar

the cuban — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:02:43 -0800

Online resources for learning African fingerstyle guitar? Ideally tablature with audio, but tab alone is fine and dandy.

Many thanks to anyone oud answer this question.

The White Hat — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:59:17 -0800

Name that tune. Specifically, the melody that starts at 8 seconds. (flash video) Also, who is Hashim Alqallaf? I've searched several variations of the name in english and arabic and haven't come up with anyone. Are there any other oud players who have a similar classical/fingerstyle/flamenco approach to the oud? Thanks for any help.

How do I play "strumming-type" patterns while fingerpicking?

Stauf — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 10:02:08 -0800

Mefi Guitarists! Hope me with a certain aspect of fingerpicking on my guitar! I've asked a question similar to this on a guitar forum and got dissapointing results, so I've decided to take it to the Mefi hivemind where most people tend to be much more eloquent/thorough in their answers. Anyway, I've played guitar for a little over two years and I'm really starting to delve into fingerpicking as I'd like to be more self-sufficient as far as playing/performing goes. In the past, I've already gotten comfortable playing basic fingerpicking patterns (We Are Going to Be Friends by the White Stripes, Street Spirit by Radiohead, Lullaby by Emitt Rhodes, etc.).

Specifically, what I'm having trouble with now is playing more complex rhythms. Even more specifically and as an example, I'm looking at the beginning of Clapton's Unplugged version of Before You Accuse Me (I'm hoping most people know it or have a recording of it, but if not I found this, which you can use to play the song, though you have to download a plugin first). Everything I've read says this song is played using fingerstyle. My initial question is: How does he (or how would you/should I) play, for example, that first series of chords so quickly with his fingers? It's easy to do with a pick using alternate strumming (down, up, down, up, down), but how is it done with the fingers? Do you use all three finger to pluck the strings successively (if this is the case, I guess it would just be a matter of building dexterity, since I can't seem to pick the chord multiple times in a row that fast at the moment)? Do you strum with one of your fingers or your whole hand (if this is the case, what is the technique to use, e.g. finger position and such and how do you avoid accidentally playing other strings not in the chord)? Or is there another, more correct or better way to do this that I haven't thought of?

I guess the heart of this question is how do I do what sounds to me like "strumming-type" rhythms while fingerpicking? (Another example might be certain parts of Blackbird by the Beatles or (this may not be as apt) Somebody I Used to Know by Elliott Smith where he's fingerpicking the intro but apparently switches to strumming during the verses, though I suppose the answer might be different from song to song).

Also, when fingerpicking is it more preferrable to use a thumb pick or just use your thumbnail?

Note: If it helps at all, although I'd like to be able to play a variety of styles of music, I'm most interested in the styles of artists like Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, and Bob Dylan.

Also, as a bonus question: Any excellent fingerstyle resources that you would recommend (i.e. books, websites, etc.)?

Anyway, sorry for the length; I really appreciate any help.

How do I keep my fingers agile in cold weather?

Zero Gravitas — Sat, 20 May 2006 11:50:14 -0800

How do I get rid of stiffness from my fingers? I'm a guitarist who just started learning the banjo, and since I live in a rather cold climate, I'm experiencing problems keeping my fingers agile.

This is mainly a problem while playing the banjo and fingerstyle acoustic guitar, since the fingers on my right hand needs to be moving fairly fast.

When I spend any extended amount of time outside, the stiffness tends to last for hours after, and I therefore cannot play as well as I otherwise would. My fingers hurt and feel generally sluggish compared to normal.

Maybe fingerstyle and bluegrass simply aren't meant for Icelandic climes.

Any exercises or other remedies?

Good electric guitars for an acoustic fingerstylist?

The White Hat — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 16:41:31 -0800

I'm an acoustic fingerstyle guitarist. I play a Martin OOOc-15e. Lately, I've been considering buying an electric guitar for similar purposes, as well as some heavier blues stuff. Suggestions? Also, price is somewhat of an issue. Absolutely under $500, preferably under $300. I know you can't buy a lot of guitar for that, but that's my budget.