More Fingers

The following are techniques that are used by all guitarists, but are especially useful to the fingerstylist as a means of getting a little more sound out of the instrument , or a little more "bang for the pluck". The included songs/tabs are good practice tunes, not too difficult but using most of the techniques discussed here.

Hammer ons (h), are a way of playing two or more notes on a string, but only picking the string once. Hammer ons are always from a low pitch to a higher pitch.
Pull offs (p), go from a higher pitch to a lower one, and usually require the player to pluck the string with their fretting hand to reinforce the volume of the note.
Hammers / Pulls are often shown with an arched line connecting the notes, leaving the logic of pull or hammer up to the pitch direction of the following note(s).
Bends (b), are another means of getting more bang for your"pluck". Pick the string and then bend it up to the next note that you want to sound.
Pre-Bends (pb), are just the opposite, bend the string, then pluck it, then lower the tone by releasing the bend.
Slides (sl), (/ \), are somewhat self explanatory, pluck your note and slide up or down to the next desired note.
Tapping (T) , while a little more difficult on an acoustic, is a combination of hammers and pulls performed using the picking hand, as well as the fretting hand.
Pinching, is when, in addition to the alternating bass another string or strings are played with that bass note, sort of creating a pinching motion between the bass and other string(s).

Alternate Tuning or Open Tuning, is another avenue for expression by the finger stylist. In this method the guitar is tuned to any variety of open chord or combination of intrevals that the guitarist chooses. In alternate tuning there is an immense variety of sound and self expression available that cannot be achieved in standard tunings.

Glory of Love in Standard Tuning; E - A - D - G - B - E
Tabs and audio for this can be downloaded Here.

Glory of Love

Most of the above measures are started with a "pinch" between the bass note and a second note, also note that in measures 5 & 6 there a pull offs. The complete score and tab for Big Bill Broonzy's "Glory of Love" can be found Here. Tabs created using Power Tab, which can be downloaded Here.

4 & 20 by CSN&Y in Alternate Tuning
Tab and audio are Here.

4 and 20

There are many patterns that can be used in fingerpicking, and coupled with the variety of alternate tunings, the possibilities are endless. Experimentation is the best way to determine which technique of finger style guitar playing best fits your individual taste. Remember that music should be an enjoyable, self expression, and what works for one doesn't always work for all. Play what you enjoy, in the way that is right for you, and pay no attention to the fools behind the curtain who insist that everything must be a certain way, or that alternate tuning and using a capo is somehow cheating. The idea is to make music and only you can decide what you want to include, or exlude from your definition of music.

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