Clicky

View post (Tips for Practicing Complex Fingerpicking Patterns?)

View thread

ChristopherSchlegel
Full Access
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,834
ChristopherSchlegel
Full Access
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,834
09/11/2025 5:36 pm
#1 Originally Posted by: rosebl2244

Hi everyone, I've been working on improving my fingerpicking skills, especially for songs with complex patterns and alternating bass lines. I usually practice slowly, but I feel like I'm not making much progress when I speed up. Does anyone have unique tips or exercises that helped them master tricky fingerpicking sections more effectively?


Agario


 

It's important to play that kind of material slowly at first, as you mention.  It's necessary to get all the details right while you are working through repetitious practice because you are gradually automating it in order to eventually make it second nature when you increase the speed.  


But at a certain point it helps to just go for it and play it faster even though this virtually guarantees a sloppy result at first.  It can be helpful to try playing it faster or up to speed even before you are totally ready because otherwise it's difficult if not impossible to understand what motions are truly necessary when you play that fast as opposed to deliberately playing it slowly.  The tactile feel can be quite different and so it can be a helpful step in the process.


That's not exactly a unique tip, but it is a strategy that can be effective in these kind of situations.  And I'm certain it is more effective than playing the online video game you linked.


Hope that helps.


 


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory