fingerstyle

Latest about fingerstyle

Jared James Nichols performs at Sweden Rock Festival on June 03, 2026 in Norje, Sweden
The advice Jared James Nichols took – and the bad advice he ignored – to develop his electric fingerstyle

By Janelle Borg Published

In a journey that took him from rural Wisconsin to world stages, Nichols reflects on the fingerstyle players who inspired him

Guitarists
Left-Nita Strauss performs at Palace Of Fine Arts on February 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California; Right-Yvette Young of Covet performs during Swanfest at Heart Health Park on April 23, 2022 in Sacramento, California
Nita Strauss reveals how Yvette Young inspired one of her favorite riffs she’s ever written

By Janelle Borg Published

Strauss demonstrates a tapping and hammer-on/pull-off-heavy riff that featured on her 2023 album, The Call of the Void

Guitarists
Left-Andrew Synowiec of the SRT Band with Tom Scott perform in concert at Birdland Jazz Club on July 22, 2023 in New York City; Right-Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who perform onstage at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on September 15, 2019 in Wantagh, New York
Hollywood's go-to guitarist, Andrew Synowiec, on how he ended up playing on a Who record

By Janelle Borg Published

The seasoned session guitarist received a last-minute call to step in and play a guitar part in a style not typically associated with The Who and Pete Townshend

Guitarists
Marcin Patrzalek
Marcin announces debut album – and the first single features Polyphia’s Tim Henson in fiery form

By Phil Weller Published

He's been endorsed by Steve Vai and jammed with Mateus Asato, now the viral virtuoso has announced his debut album, Dragon in Harmony

Guitarists
Arianna Powell
Ditching the pick adds a whole new set of colors to your guitar palette – and these 10 fingerstyle jazz licks will class up your playing (even if you’re not a jazz guitarist)

By Arianna Powell Published

Pickup Music’s Arianna Powell shares a wealth of tasty jazz ideas that will work in any genre

Techniques
Gio Guido playing fingerstyle guitar
Introducing the “up-and-down” fingerstyle approach – a new guitar technique designed to get you playing faster than ever

By Matt Owen Published

The brainchild of Gio Guido, up-and-down fingerpicking is inspired by Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin – but takes things one step further

Musical Tips & Advice
Richie Kotzen
5 ways to improve your fingerstyle guitar technique

By Simon Barnard Published

As the likes of Richie Kotzen, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler and others have shown us, sometimes ditching the pick opens up new avenues for expressing yourself on the electric guitar

Techniques
The SoundFile nail file
Has The SoundFile unlocked the secrets behind peak fingernail performance for fingerstyle guitarists?

By Matt Owen Published

The LA-based nail file specialist seeks to help guitarists maintain the shape and form of their nails, which in turn is said to deliver improved tone

Guitarists
Beginner guitar: How to play fingerstyle acoustic guitar
How to play fingerstyle guitar: learn fingerpicking styles

By Chris Bird, James Uings Published

Steady up your acoustic skills with this fingerpicking lesson

Beginner Lessons