GO TO - www.radioyur.com
Back to
Guitar Lessons
Table of Contents
Back to Euphoria Falls Pub. Co.

Basic Finger-Picking Folk Pattern


Step - 3

The Basic Pattern

Now that you are well grounded in the alternating bass and are comfortable playing notes on the treble strings with the index and middle fingers, you are ready to proceed with the playing the basic syncopated folk pattern.

Notice that beats 2 and 3 are the only beats that are different. Look at the diagram and follow these steps:

 

Diagram 3 The basic pattern

Finger - picking diagram 2 - the basic pattern

  1. Beat 1 - Begin the pattern with the thumb / middle finger pinch .
  2. Beat 2 - Beat 2 will be broken down into two half beats (quarter notes) the downbeat (T) and the upbeat (I) index finger - second string. The count is 2and. Strike the alternating bass note (T) followed by the syncopated (upbeat) note played by the Index (I) finger. The count is 2and.
  3. Beat 3 - Beat 3 will also be broken down into two half beats (quarter notes) the downbeat (T) and the upbeat (M) middle finger - first string. Count 3and. Strike the alternating bass note (T) followed by the syncopated (upbeat) note played by the Middle (M) finger. The count is 3and.
  4. Beat 4 - Finally bring this four beat measure to a close by adding the final alternating bass note. The count for this pattern is 1 - 2and - 3and - 4
                                      1 - 2and - 3and - 4.
As before take your time to become comfortable with this basic pattern. Watch your timing. Make certain that you are playing the pattern in a slow steady manner.

It is very easy get into the habit of placing too much emphasis on the upbeat notes giving the pattern a jerky uneven sound.

Remember that everything is controlled by the steady movement of the thumb which is alternating between two bass notes of each chord.  1 - 2 - 3 - 4

If you have the Real Audio Player, click here Click to Listen to listen to how it should sound.

When you are comfortable with this basic pattern try experimenting with beginning the pattern with the thumb / index pinch or possibly adding additional treble notes in beats 1 and 4. Just remember to keep the bass as smooth and steady as possible.

Try out this pattern with some easy folk songs. You will find words and chord changes in "The Folksong Wordbook".

Also, I plan to continue this series of beginning fingerstyle guitar with additional lessons on playing melodies in a variety of styles so check back from time to time.

Good luck and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Phil Johnson aster@radioyur.com

Top of Page

Radio YUR

 
The KingPup Radio Show
is on the air !

HOME  |  RADIO YUR  |  KINGPUP RADIO  |  PHIL & GAYE  | GUITAR WORKS  |  EUPHORIA FALLS  | ASTER
copyright 2006 ASTER Productions