Picks or Fingers? Do Both

Glen McCarthy

glenmccarthy@aol.com

The personal viewpoints expressed in this session are solely those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or views of Music Will.

Classical Posture

The Guitar rests on the left leg. The leg is elevated using a footrest. This elevates the guitar. There are numerous devices available to elevate the guitar. Here’s some links:

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https://www.stringsbymail.com/guitar-accessories-2/guitar-supports-945/guitar-supports-386/

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https://bigmo.com/guitarsupports.html

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https://rientoshop.com/acc003

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Fingerstyle Playing

Thumb: Pulgar P

Index: Indice I

Middle: Media M

Ring: Annular A

P: Thumb plays strings 6, 5, & 4

I: Index plays string 3

M: Middle plays string 2

A: Ring plays string 1

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Fingerstyle Playing

• Free Stroke: “Tirando” Used when playing arpeggios.

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• What’s the difference between “Tirando” and “Apoyando”?

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• https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=apoyando%20guitar&mid=A2451341FC9F3F478062A2451341FC9F3F478062&ajaxhist=0

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Fingerstyle Playing

Let’s Play:

P I M A

P I A M

P M I A

P M A I

P A I M

P A M I

P I M A M I

P I M I A I M I

P I M I M A M I

P I M A M I A M I A M I

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Let’s Play!

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Take 2

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Arpeggio Tune #1

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December Chords

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Tune #2

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Fingerstyle Playing

• Rest Stroke: “Apoyando” Used when playing melodies..

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• https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=apoyando+guitar&mid=DC95A4318640EE02236ADC95A4318640EE02236A&mcid=DC57DB4D378844558BB7529A0C7EF638&FORM=VIRE

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Rest Stroke

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“Travis Picking” “Block Picking”

• Thumb alternates playing quarter notes e.g., String 5 to 4 to 5 to 4�
• Beat 1: P & M Play together: e.g. string 5 and string 2 play together�
• Beat 2: P plays string 4 on the downbeat, followed by i playing on�the 3^rd string on the “and” of beat 2

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• Beat 3: P plays string 5 on the downbeat, followed by m playing on�the 2^nd string on the “and” of beat 2

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• Beat 4: P plays string 4 on the downbeat, followed by i playing on�the 3^rd string on the “and” of beat 2

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• Play p i m at the same time e.g.:

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• Play strings 6, 3, and 2 together using p I m

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• Play strings 5, 3, and 2 together using p I m

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• Play strings 4, 3, and 2 together using p I m

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Travis Picking

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Block Picking

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Using a Pick

• Down Pick: on the beat
• Up Pick: on the “and” of the beat
• “Sweep” Picking: playing chords ascending with a down pick or descending with an up pick: https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/sweep-picking-how-to-get-started

• Crosspicking: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=crosspicking+guitar&&mid=357017289A3BF2A1FC2A357017289A3BF2A1FC2A&mcid=66140976067D42BE8AA31FED19D9FFE9&FORM=VAMGZC

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Fingers or Picks?

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Sweepin’

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All Down!

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Sweet!!

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Fun Tune

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Music Will will make all presentations available after the conference.

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The personal viewpoints expressed in this session are solely those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or views of Music Will.