The ability to move between strumming and fingerpicking is what separates a good guitarist from a great one. Songs like "Blackbird" by The Beatles, "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas, and countless folk songs require this skill.
Why It's Hard
The challenge isn't the technique itself - it's the transition. Most players hold their pick in one hand, which means to fingerpick they need to either hold the pick between their teeth, tuck it in their palm, or put it down entirely. Each option breaks the flow of the music.
The Classic Approaches
- Tuck and palm: Tuck the pick between the middle and ring finger, fingerpick, then retrieve. Works but takes practice and can drop picks.
- Hybrid picking: Use the pick for bass notes and your fingers for higher strings simultaneously. Requires rewiring your technique.
- Hold between teeth: Quick but unhygienic and risky mid-performance.
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Practice Drill: The Transition Exercise
Start on a simple chord progression - say G, C, D. Strum 4 beats, then fingerpick 4 beats, then strum again. Do this until the switch is automatic. Then start reducing the beats: 2 strums, 2 fingerpicks. Then 1 of each. The goal is to make the physical transition second nature.
Songs to Practice With
- "Scarborough Fair" - Simon & Garfunkel
- "The Boxer" - Simon & Garfunkel
- "Norwegian Wood" - The Beatles
- "Behind Blue Eyes" - The Who