A Fingerpicking pattern is a set order of playing the strings. This same order of picking the strings is used with different chord shapes. The pattern is based upon the symbols given for each right hand finger. The first fingerpicking pattern is:
Any pattern you learn can be applied to any chord you know. In the following example, Fingerpicking Pattern 1 is played using a C major chord. This pattern occurs twice in 1 bar of * time and uses eighth notes.
C
Fingerpicking Pattern 1
In this example, the same pattern is applied to the chords C, F and G7. Always hold the complete chord shape even though you do not play every string.