The Freestroke
Most of the fingerpicking patterns presented in this book are based upon the freestroke style. Freestroke is a method of playing where the finger, after picking the string, does not come to rest on any other string. The sound is produced by the fingertip and the nail striking the string simultaneously. The fingertip should move across the string, rather than pull out from it. This movement will enable the hand to remain steady (i.e., only the fingers move).
Freestroke Movement
First finger joint should be flexible, and move with the stroke.
Finger moves across the string in an arc - it does not pull away.
A different technique is used for picking with the thumb. Firstly, the thumb, unlike the fingers, does not bend when making its stroke. It is kept rigid at all times. Secondly, the thumb picks with a downward motion, and strikes the string with its left hand side.
Thumb Movement in Fingerpicking
Thumb Position Against String
Thumb strikes string with left hand side, and moves through in an arc.
