Finger Picking is a playing techniques where the fingers are used to pluck the string instead of a guitar pick.
This lesson will cover some tips for finger picking. When reading music that uses finger picking, you may see the term
"PIMA" or the initials P, I, M or A used. PIMA is an acrostic for the thumb and the first three
fingers of the right hand. This is often used to indicate which fingers to use in picking.
Let's start our dirst finger picking exercise. Use your left hand to form the "E" chord on the guitar neck.
E-----------------
B-----------------
G---1------------
D---2------------
A---2------------
E---0------------
Pick the notes, using your right hand; with the fingers indicated. Pick upwards using the fingertip (Pick downward when using the thumb).
You can use the fleshy part of your fingertip or your finger nail; whichever works best for you.
P A M I
P A M I
P
E-------0---------------|-------0---------------|-------
B-------------0---------|-------------0---------|-------
G------------------1----|------------------1----|-------
D------------------------|---2-------------------|---2--
A---2--------------------|-----------------------|-------
E------------------------|------------------------|-------
For our next exercise, we will use the same chord, but but will use our fingers to pick downwards. Remember to watch the fingering.
Start out slowly until your fingers are 'rolling', then pick up speed.
E-------------------0---|-------------------0---||
B----------------0------|----------------0-------||
G---------1-------------|--------1--------------||
D---2-------------------|---2-------------------||
A------------------------|------------------------||
E------------------------|------------------------||
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These letters are abbreviations of Spanish word which are:
PULGAR= Thumb
INDICE= Fore Finger
MEDIO= Middle Finger
ANULAR= Ring Finger
(This is the P I M A representation)
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