Our first finger picking lesson features a picking pattern that has been used in a great many songs. This pattern has no name that I am aware of.

To play this picking pattern, you will use your thumb (P), index (I) and middle (M) fingers on your picking hand. ( Hand diagrams coming soon )

Look at the first tab example below. While playing an open C chord, pluck the strings using your thumb and fingers as indicated by the P's, I's and M's. Notice that the first notes in each bar are plucked together by P & M while the next 6 notes are plucked individually.

Work on this slowly. Notice the tempo and rhythm I have used in this example and do your best to copy it.

Click on the diagrams for an MP3 audio example.

Play this pattern over an open C chord.

Now lets apply this picking pattern over some chords and play the intro to Dust in the Wind by Kansas. Notice that there is very little finger movement required to move from chord to chord. Just add and/or remove your 1st and/or 4th fingers to move from chord to chord.

The same picking pattern (as above) is applied over each of these chords.

Click here if you're not sure how to read the chord blocks.

Dust in the Wind By Kansas
(intro)

Click on the diagrams for an MP3 audio example.

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