How Do You Play Fingerstyle Blues Guitar?
• Make a C chord shape. • Play the 5th (A) and 4th (D)strings back and forth. This is called an “alternating bass” • Keep this alternating bass going; don’t worry about the treble strings yet. • Practice the alternating bass until you no longer have to think about it. • Try some different chords (C7; D; F). • When you are comfortable switching chords, it’s time to give it the ‘mojo’. Let the palm of your hand – the fleshy part on the side of your pinky rest lightly on the 3 bass strings (E;A;D) • This will give you a thumping sound that imitates a string bass. • Explore the treble stings. While you are thumping merrily along • Let your index and middle fingers pluck the high E, B and G strings. If it is easier to pluck in time with your thumb, that’s ok for now. • When you are comfortable with the first steps, try plucking the treble strings randomly (not necessarily with the beat). • Try plucking on the musical beat, with the thumb (bass) on the off beat. This is the syncopated rhythm
