Fix your Fingerstyle Plucking Thumb

Hey guys, I hope you are having a fantastic day.

Today I want to show you a very simple way to fix your fingerstyle plucking thumb.

One of the question I get asked the most about fingerstyle guitar is how to correctly position the right hand thumb and how to pluck the strings effectively.

Believe it or not, the right hand plucking thumb is probably one of the most important aspect of fignerstyle guitar.

I strongly believe that if you learn how to position the thumb correctly, you will also improve your plucking fingers as well as control and tone.

Why the fingerstyle plucking thumb is so important?

There are many reasons why you should learn how to correctly pluck the strings with the thumb but I think the number one reason is “Balance”.

So many guitar players pluck the strings incorrectly due to a wrong thumb position.

I was lucky enough to start as a classical guitar player when I was only 10 years old so my right hand was trained correctly since the day I started playing guitar and I really thought that every guitar player used the same approach.

I was wrong! In fact, over the past 15 years of teaching guitar I realize that the majority of guitar players who struggle with fingerstyle technique have no idea how to correctly pluck the strings.

Don’t worry though! I am here to help.

In this fingerstyle lesson I am going to show you a simple chord progression that will help you improve your fingerstyle plucking thumb.

Good luck!

The Video

Chord Progression and Bass line

One of the thing that I like the most about this exercise is its simplicity and musicality.

We will be learning a super simple chord progression in A minor and then we will add a bass line between the chords to challenge your fingerstyle plucking thumb.

It’s a very simple fingerstyle exercise perfect for beginners.

The chord progression goes as follows: Am – C – D – Fmaj7.

The Simple Plucking Pattern

In the first part of the video I am going to show you the fingerstyle pattern you will be playing over the chords.

In this section we are not playing the bass line yet so that you can focus on learning the chords and plucking pattern before adding the challenging line played with the thumb.

I find this fingerpicking pattern very simple however it could still be quite challenging depending on your level so take things steps by step and use the guitar tab on the video to make sure you learn the correct fingerstyle pattern.

The Thumb Position and how to pluck the Strings

As I said earlier the fingerstyle plucking thumb is one of the most important aspect of fingerstyle technique.

I thing the best way to pluck the string is to position the thumb in front of the finger and pluck the string with the side of the fingertip.

Also, the index, middle and ring finger will be plucking the strings using a 45 degree angle.

Check the picture below.

Take Things Step by Step

Guys, I tried to simplify this lesson as much as possible but it is almost impossible to make it suitable for anyone.

If you are a beginner take it step by step and realize that it might take a while before you fix and improve your fingerstyle plucking thumb.

Good luck with your journey and let me know if you have questions on my facebook page.

Tab on Patreon.

 

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Useful Links

• Guitar Lessons in London
• Strumming Guitar Lessons – Justin Guitar
• Fingerstyle Plucking Thumb
• Electric Guitar Lesson]