Thanks so much for doing this course. I have played several of your finger style arraignments, but I’m really interested in learning to make the music!
Discuss the Guitar lesson: Alternating Thumb Fingerstyle- Lesson #1
4 Likes
Hello John. I too agree that using banjo-picks is OK for guitar. I used them originally as being a banjo-picker as it felt more natural to me. That ‘bell-tone’ release sound of a banjo-pick is hard to beat. Over the last year, however, I’ve settled into using only a thumb-pick and bare-fingers, but I’ve grown my fingernails out to use a combination flesh & nail attack on the strings which I feel sounds almost like using fingerpicks and I find (at least for me) it requires substantially less force than flesh-only for a given volume. That said, I think flesh-only gives a more ‘jazzy’ or ‘smoky’ sound. In the end, it probably depends on what sound you’re after.
Fingernail disclaimer: Although I find picking flesh & nail produces a pleasing sound; Picking with nails comes with a cost. I find that I spend a little time maintaining my fingernail profile (shape). Banjo picks obviously do not require such maintenance. Happy Picking!
3 Likes
This looks great! I also want @BanjoBen to do a whole lesson just on smacking the bottom of the guitar to play the right chord. 
5 Likes
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’ve been looking for this kind of instruction for a long time now. Others who play this style “break it down” but without the detailed video and instruction. Thank you. Working on this now. Super excited.
4 Likes
I absolutely LOVED this lesson! I’ve been wanting to learn this all my life, but haven’t. Thanks, Ben!
4 Likes
I started playing finger style twenty-five years ago, mainly Travis style. I loved that style so much that most of what I play is acoustic finger style. I wish this lesson would have existed back when I first learned. It took nearly two weeks of hammering the muscle memory into my hands to get the coordination of the picking pattern to smooth out. Once I got over that hurdle it was on to learning how to play “Freight Train”.
4 Likes
I only use flesh and nail for my guitar finger picking. After extended picking sessions I find that the tips of my nails wear thin and eventually break off. It’s all a part of finger style playing. I just couldn’t ever get comfortable with picks on my fingertips even though I use them for my banjo picking.
3 Likes
Fun lesson.
Ben, are you planning on doing follow-on lessons? Finally something I can do with great ease. 
All those years playing classical guitar and lute were good for something.
4 Likes
Hello Dan. Ditto for me on the nail trouble. What solved my problem with my fingernails was Ping-Pong Balls. Yes, you heard right. I read that Chet Atkins used Ping-Pong balls super-glued to underneath his nails for a repair. Well lo and behold, on the internet, you can find all sorts of instruction on how to perform this job. I find it makes my nails about 300% stonger and provides an ablative surface to greatly reduce wear. I guess it’s a common technique for classical guitar players also. That said, it’s probably not for everyone 
3 Likes
I have lots of knowledge of basic fingerpicking but am really enjoying this lesson. I can’t wait for the more advanced stuff. Great job!
3 Likes
strong text*Thanks for this lesson I have tried before but never had the basics laid out so well. I will never be great at it but I believe I can draw some good attention to my playing if I apply myself . I will have to use the amp to get it to sound better because my hearing has about left me, I have hearing aids but it is not the same, I still hear it good enough though .
2 Likes
Nice beginning. Now how about some elementary tabs for tunes expanding on what you’ve taught?
3 Likes
Welcome to the forum Tommy! I believe that is the intention, but it’ll be a week or two before they start coming out
1 Like
Yep, we’ll do that for sure.
2 Likes
Ben, I play some fingerstyle, but I try to Travis picking using a flat pick and my fingers (hybrid). Is there anything different or particular that I need to do vs. using my thumb or a thumb pick?
4 Likes
I think that’s really cool! I’d love to hear some of your playing!
2 Likes
Just started taking Banjobens guitar lessons, good stuff! I think I will need an extra 4 hours a day to cram it all in with the Banjo and my bass guitar 
4 Likes
That’s a fun technique! Do you use your ring finger also or just the middle?
3 Likes