Hi from Pa.

Just dropped in on this site and found it pretty interesting. I have been playing 45 years off and on. More on the off side. I get bored with playing same stuff. I decided to give finger picking a try, it seems to add a spark to my practice the last couple of days. For the people who have been on here for some time maybe they can lead the way for me . I am brand new to finger picking and I would prefer to use 4 fingers as I am just learning I want to get it right, So that would be thumb, index, middle and ring finger. I have seen some people anchor their pinky but I have read this is not a good way to start. I am looking for some input on this. My latest toy is a Taylor 710ce and I just love the guitar, I have a few electrics, I should say too many, Still have my 1963 Fender Jag my dad bought me when I graduated grammer school. That would be my sentimental piece. Enough said hoping to hear from some people and thanks for listening, pete

Greetings! I just finished working on a boom chick finger picking lesson taught by Ben Lindholm. Check out this link and here is another one for you as well. Also, just type in "fingerpicking" next to the forum tab and a variety of lessons will come up. When I fingerpick I usually anchor my pinky like you described. I would be interested to hear why this may or may not be a good idea myself. Talk to you later.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=962

http://www.guitartricks.com/search.php?search.x=0&search.y=0&search=Submit&input=finger+picking

Hi there...

I am a big fan of finger picking. Actually, thats where most of my creativity shines. Rather than a pick and 4 fingers, with finger picking you have 8 fingers working together (or even 9 fingers if you can incorporate the pinky on the picking hand). I think I do better with finger picking and writing material because it give you more to work with in doing melody and rhythm simultaneously (something similar to piano I suppose you could say); As compared to with a pick, you are limited in producing both rhythm and melody, and most of the time need to either accompany another guitar/instrument or singing.