Synaptic Studios» Finger Picking

Finger Picking Pattern 2: Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

Chris Finch — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:50:23 +0000

Our second finger picking lesson is another example of pattern picking. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac uses a similar picking pattern to “Dust in the Wind”. However, the chord changes here require more movement.

For your convenience, the chord shapes and fingerings are as follows:
Click here if you’re not sure how to read the chord blocks.

For the picking pattern, you will use your thumb (P), index (I), and middle (M) fingers on your picking hand. A capo on the third fret is also required to be in the same key as the original.

I recommend strumming through the chords first to ensure a clear sound. Then add the picking pattern. Once you’re ready, use the tablature example below. Pluck the strings with the corresponding fingers as labeled above the tab. Once you have the pattern, your picking hand should be playing;

Thumb (P), Index (I), Thumb (P), Middle (M) Thumb (P), Index (I), Thumb (P)

The first part of the song we will look at is the Intro/Verse. In this section we are using three chords. Practice these changes first and aim for smooth transitions.

The first chord change is C to G/B. Note only the second and fourth fingers are required to make the G/B. All G/B means is that the notes from a G major chord are used in the top of the chord while B is used in the bass.

The second change is a G/B to an Amin7. The Amin7 is just an A minor chord without the third finger. Only the first and second fingers are required. The final change in the Intro/Verse is simply switching back to the G/B.

Landslide
Fleetwood Mac – Stevie Nicks

Intro / Verse

Last time through the Intro/Verse

Bridge

Note that the last time through the Intro/Verse; the D/F# chord is introduced. This is the last chord before the Bridge. Changing Amin7 into D/F# is probably the most challenging change within the song. Use your first, second, and fourth fingers to fret the D/F#. Repetitive practice of this chord change is helpful in being able to play through the song in time.

The next major part of the song is the Bridge. Notice that the thumb on the picking hand is now starting the pattern on the low E string. The index and middle fingers continue to pick the same strings as before. This slight alteration in the picking pattern only applies to the G, G/F#, Emin, and D/F# chords.

Once you feel comfortable with both parts, the last step is to practice playing through the Intro/Verse and into the Bridge. In addition, play the Bridge and back into the Intro/Verse.

This generally covers “Landslide”, good luck and enjoy!

P.S. Sound clips for the tab and for the G/B, G/F# & D/F# will be up soon.

Finger Picking: Comping to a walking bass line

Gil Namur — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:39 +0000

This lesson will show you how to play a walking bass line accompanied by little chords. This is a 12 bar blues progression in Bb with a swing feel to it.

To play this, you will use your thumb (P) to play the bass line and your index (I) and middle (M) fingers to pluck the chords.

Work on this slowly. Once you have learned it, work on speed and also try to interpret it differently.

The fingerings indicated above and below the tab represents how I feel most comfortable playing this progression. I suggest that you start with these fingerings but modify them to suit your own style if you find them too awkward.

TIP: Whenever you see 2 notes together in this progression, like the 6 and 7 on top of each other in the first bar, think of those notes plus the note just before it as a chord. Learn these chords and the progression becomes much easier.

Click on the diagram for an MP3 audio example.

(If the tab image is not rendering nicely on your browser, right mouse click on it and choose the save image option. Save it to your desktop and open it there. It will display just fine and you can print it for reference.)

Thumbnail Photo Credit

Some rights reserved by Utnapishtim

Finger Picking Pattern 1: part 2, Dust in the Wind

Gil Namur — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:05:08 +0000

In part 1, you learned how to play the picking pattern that is used in the song Dust in the Wind. Did you notice that all of the picking was done on the middle four strings. In part 2, we will add the remaining chords for the song. You will use the same picking pattern but this time, you will be playing it on different sets of strings. For reference, I have recopied the pattern here.

Click on the diagram for an MP3 audio example.

Play this pattern over an open C chord.

Ok, this time, I am going to make you work a bit for this and not give you all the chord charts on this page as you already know them by now right? I am also not going to score out the whole song from beginning to end. Between the information in parts 1 and 2 you have everything you need to put it all together. Listen to the original song, use your ears and it should all come together for you. I have not created an MP3 for you to listen to this time. You should hear when it is right compared to the original song.

I will however give you a few tips.

Play the intro first (part 1) and then the following.
Notice the first bar below. You will see above and below the tablature some additional numbers. These represent the fretting fingers you need for these parts. Thinking of these as little chords will help. The same is true for the D/G chord ( D chord over a G bass note) in the last 2 bars of the song.
The 3rd bar of the song calls for a G chord. You really don’t need to play the whole G chord form here, just the 2 notes. See if you can figure out the most practical fingering (fretting hand) for it. One that moves nicely from the C chord in the previous bar.
To play the Amin/G chord (Amin chord over a G bass note), simply play an Amin chord and add your pinky (4th finger) on the 3rd fret of your E string as indicated in the tablature at that bar.

Are you ready? Good luck!

Dust in the Wind
By Kansas

Finger Picking Pattern 1: part 1, Dust in the Wind intro

Gil Namur — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:50:22 +0000

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.

Part 2 is available here