Alternating Thumb Style
The most popular fingerpicking technique used in Country is the alternating thumb style. For this style the thumb alternates between two bass notes on each beat of the bar, usually beginning with the root bass note of the current chord. The three alternating bass lines shown in the next example are for the G, C and D chords.
One of the most common fingerpicking patterns is shown in the following example. The first(i) and second(m) fingers of the right hand play the first and second strings. The second string is picked with the first finger of the right hand immediately after the root bass note. The first string is played with the second finger of the right hand after the alternating bass note. Try this pattern on the basic G chord first.
The next example applies the previous pattern to a chord progression.
There are many patterns fingerpicking patterns that can be applied to a chord progression. The next pattern involves picking two strings at the same time. First try the example 85 which uses a C chord. Once you a comfortable with this pattern try applying the pattern to the chord progression in example 86.
A common technique that can be incorporated into Fingerpicking patterns is the hammer-on. The hammer-on can be played on the bass or treble strings.
