What Is Fingerstyle Guitar?

Fingerstyle means playing the guitar with the fingers rather than only a pick. It can create a rich texture with melody, harmony and bass sounding together. Although steel-string guitars are often played with a pick, many players use fingerstyle techniques, drawing on approaches also found in classical guitar.

Online, you can find solo-guitar arrangements of rock and metal songs with a softer, layered texture. As in classical guitar, melody, rhythm and bass can be heard together. These performers often arrange contemporary local and international songs in this way. Fingerstyle refers to the use of the fingers, although layered arrangements can also be played with a pick or a combination of pick and fingers.

How can you begin fingerstyle? Many steel-string guitar students are interested in it. The arrangements discussed here can be technically demanding, and a background in classical guitar and notation may help. Many performers combine melody and accompaniment using skills developed through earlier study. Once you are comfortable with the basics and have good control of your instrument, you can explore this approach through pieces suited to your level.

Onur Severgün
Rekor Sanat – Guitar Teacher