Dansm's Fingerpicking Lessons
Two- and Three-Note Chords
Before you play the songs, there is one more technique that you need to know.
This one should be pretty self-explanatory, but not necessarily obvious at first.
Most songs use two- and three-finger chords at one time or another; they don't
always use the broken picking patterns we have studied. As an example,
I am going to use the opening to Tears in Heaven, by Eric Clapton,
so check that out before we start.

  1. Use the shape shown in Figure 1 for the opening chords to Tears in Heaven.

Once you have completed this exercise, you are officially a fingerpicker! You can now practice and refine your skill, working with different chords and sounds to create the musical style you want. The only way to improve your picking is to practice. Good luck, and have fun with your newfound skill!


Move on to the songs!
Go back to the fifth lesson
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© 1997 Daniel E. Smith.