Fingerstyle blues guitar is one of the most beloved styles of playing on an acoustic guitar. It draws upon a long history of blues artists while contemporary artists such as Keb’ Mo’ and Jim Bruce help keep the genre alive and fresh.
Delta blues guitarists employed a variety of techniques to craft their distinct style. Some used the thumb to play bass strings while their fingers played melodic notes on treble strings- this was the birth of fingerstyle blues.
How do you play fingerstyle blues on guitar?
Playing blues guitar with fingerpicking is both enjoyable and pretty straightforward, as long as you practice and have patience. You can pick up the basics of fingerstyle blues guitar in just a few days, but of course it can take months to perform it fluently.
Learning fingerstyle blues requires mastering the technique of dead thumb playing – the ability to control your thumb with one hand while using other fingers for melody and accompaniment notes simultaneously. Once you’ve mastered this, you can add more complex patterns to your fingerpicking style.
There are various ways to achieve this effect – one simple but effective technique is having the bass line move around the guitar neck while picking hand fingers play melodic lines on the same string. This technique, called walking bass, works best when combined with pinch, triplet pull-offs or even alternating thumb picking.
You can also add some ‘blues curl’ bends and quarter note ‘blues slides’ when playing single-note solo lines. This is a more authentic approach than simply playing bass and melody lines simultaneously, but it still takes practice to become proficient at it.
Where to find fingerstyle blues guitar tabs
Thankfully, there are plenty of free resources to choose from online for any guitar style. In addition to guitar tabs, video lessons and online guitar classes are all accessible at your fingertips. If budgeting is an issue for you, there are plenty of free online resources on Youtube that will get you on the path towards fingerstyle mastery.
For the ideal combination of online and in-person lessons, consider combining them. A teacher with an eye for detail will ensure you learn more from him or her, while helping boost your instrument confidence in the process.
Furthermore, you’ll understand all aspects of playing guitar – including open tunings and technique – so that you can build upon strengths while improving weaknesses without breaking the bank.
Is fingerstyle guitar the hardest?
Fingerstyle guitar can be a challenging technique to master, as it requires the thumb and one, two or three fingers of the picking hand to play notes simultaneously or in syncopation. This may prove intimidating for beginners and requires lots of practice in order to develop finger strength, agility and muscle memory necessary for proficient playability.
To prevent fatigue and muscle or tendon strain, it’s essential to take breaks when learning fingerstyle guitar. Players need to develop a sense of timing and rhythm so they can perform accurately.
Another challenge is learning new fingerpicking patterns. It can be hard to maintain a groove, so it’s essential to focus on practicing basic patterns while developing your sense of rhythm and timing..
Does Eric Clapton play fingerstyle?
Eric Clapton may not be the first person that comes to mind when we think of fingerstyle blues guitar, but the acoustic-guitar prodigy was an innovator in that genre. His 1992 Unplugged album featured an array of fingerstyle moves that differed significantly from his signature electric stage style.
Why is learning fingerstyle so hard?
Learning fingerstyle guitar can be intimidating for some people as it involves synchronizing left and right hand techniques. This may prove overwhelming to novice players, if they try to run instead of walk, resulting in frustration or failure.
However, this can be overcome by taking time to learn the fundamentals of both left and right hand techniques. After that, you can move onto more advanced fingerstyle techniques.
Many beginning guitar players begin by learning chords and strumming. This provides them with a foundation upon which to build their fingerstyle skills, which is essential – you need to know your way around the instrument before delving into any fingerpicking style. Another reason learning fingerstyle can be challenging is its greater precision requirement than strumming.
How long does it take to learn fingerstyle guitar?
Fingerstyle guitar is a challenging technique that involves plucking each string with your thumb or fingers instead of strumming chords. Although some guitarists may struggle at first, once you grasp the fundamentals, learning this style becomes easier as you progress. When you first start, it can be incredibly slow.
The progress you can expect when learning fingerstyle depends on your current skill level and commitment to practice. An absolute beginner could become proficient in the basic monotonic thumb blues style within six months of beginning their guitar studies, while more experienced players might be able to pick it up within three or four months.
In addition to learning licks and chords, it is also essential to develop your ear. Doing so will enable you to pick up without consulting a chord chart for understanding them.
Prior to learning fingerstyle playing, it is beneficial to have some prior guitar experience in any style of playing. This will enable you to comprehend how individual notes can combine to form complex rhythms and melody lines, making the adjustment of hands and mind much simpler.
Easy fingerstyle blues guitar songs
Beginners can learn to play some fantastic blues songs without much difficulty; they don’t require complex techniques or chord progressions. The most simple blues song can be performed with just 3 chords – E, A and B7.
One of the best blues songs for fingerstyle beginners to learn to play is ‘Candyman’, by Reverend Gary Davis. This iconic tune provides an introduction to a playful blues in the key of C.
Another straightforward fingerstyle blues song to learn is ‘Boogie Chillun’ by John Lee Hooker. This tune uses a simple rhythmic motif that repeats throughout, keeping the key steady while leaving lead guitars free to create some great blues riffs and licks.
Best fingerstyle blues guitar players
Playing fingerstyle blues guitar requires a few prerequisites in order to be successful. The most important of them is having an understanding of the fundamental techniques. One of the biggest mistakes is to rush past the basics – your future playing skill depends heavily on a firm foundation.
Another essential quality in fingerstyle guitar playing is being able to feel the music. The best players will be able to elicit emotions and thrills while they perform. For many soulful Mississippi Delta-type blues songs, the feeling is the biggest part of the technique. This can’t be taught, you have to be passionate about the music.
No matter how they approach it, musicians need to be able to capture the spirit of blues music in their compositions.
Some of the finest fingerstyle blues guitar players are renowned for crafting beautiful melodies, while others display impressive technical proficiency and mastery of various guitar techniques. No matter your taste in music, these guitarists have something special to offer everyone; so be sure to check out some of them below.
Some of the greatest fingerstyle blues guitar players in history include Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Blind Blake, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Boy Fuller, Elizabeth Cotten. These legendary guitarists have all mastered the intricate techniques required for fingerpicking style guitar playing, serving as inspiration to many younger musicians.
Perhaps the greatest acoustic fingerstyle guitarists alive today is Tommy Emmanuel – see below:
FAQ relating to Fingerstyle Blues Guitar
What is Fingerstyle Blues Guitar?
Fingerstyle Blues Guitar is a guitar playing technique that uses the fingers to pluck the strings instead of a pick. It’s a style of playing that is commonly associated with blues music.
What are the basic techniques for Fingerstyle Blues Guitar?
The basic techniques for Fingerstyle Blues Guitar include thumb independence, fingerpicking, and alternating bass.
What kind of guitar is best for Fingerstyle Blues Guitar?
Any guitar can be used for Fingerstyle Blues Guitar, but guitars with wider necks and wider string spacing are often preferred as they make it easier to fingerpick.
How can I improve my Fingerstyle Blues Guitar playing?
To improve your Fingerstyle Blues Guitar playing, you should practice regularly, focus on proper finger placement, and work on developing your thumb independence.
What are some common Fingerstyle Blues Guitar songs?
Some common Fingerstyle Blues Guitar songs include “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” by Bessie Smith, “Sittin’ on Top of the World” by Doc Watson, and “Crossroads” by Robert Johnson.
Who are some famous Fingerstyle Blues Guitarists?
Some famous Fingerstyle Blues Guitarists include Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis, and Robert Johnson.
How can I learn Fingerstyle Blues Guitar?
You can learn Fingerstyle Blues Guitar by taking lessons from a teacher, watching video tutorials online, or learning from instructional books and resources.