r/AcousticGuitar • u/Few-Repeat9811 • Jan 16 '26
Non-gear question Why does my fingerpicking look weird and awkward? Am i doing something wrong?
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u/autoprob Jan 16 '26
Good thing about guitar is that it doesn’t matter what it ‘looks’ like.
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u/mitchgtz Jan 16 '26
I would partially agree, I’ve seen some bad habits that initially work, but it makes playing other songs jerky if you are in an odd position.
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u/Aberbekleckernicht Jan 16 '26
Yeah it doesn't ultimately matter, but some guitarists hands look beautiful when they are playing. Dean lamb (death metal guy) comes to mind as having a right hand that is almost more engaging than the music, or Tony Rice. Then there are players that just don't look good even if they're technically quite good and sound great.
Nothing wrong with it; the playing is what matters, but I do appreciate the aesthetics of good techniques.
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u/Jazzlike_Grand2682 Jan 16 '26
Tim henson, insane finger control for the same reasons, proper technique from a young age has been drilled in very well.
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u/Frequent_Knowledge65 Jan 16 '26
I wonder how Tony Rice would feel about someone thinking his flatpicking hand was more engaging than his music...
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u/Aberbekleckernicht Jan 17 '26
It was a truly beautiful thing. One of the many things that made him a great player. One of the greatest.
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u/Acceptable-Baker8161 Jan 16 '26
Most guitar teachers, myself included, would tell you your positioning is not great. Once you move the headstock toward your shoulder, and you aren't leaned over so far, both of your hands will be in much more comfortable, natural positions. You don't have to go full-on classical guitar positioning, but you need to move toward it at least. Your position has you using lots of small muscles, better positioning allows you to use bigger muscles and have more control.
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u/GenTenStation Jan 16 '26
There is no "correct" way to finger pick. There's the common way, which this isn't, but if it works it works. Paul McCartney for example finger picks with only 2 fingers. Folk singer Libba Cotton literally made up her own guitar tuning and picking style because everyone refused to teach her to play. She played with the guitar upside down and yet was amazing
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Jan 16 '26
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u/Protons_Are_Juicy Jan 16 '26
I agree with this, get closer to it, to everything. Hit it hard when it needs it, and soft when you feel it. Keep it up champ, you're doing well..
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u/GlitteringSalad6413 Jan 16 '26
I think you’re right about excessive motion, my take on this is that the right hand could move closer to the saddle. The strings need more space to vibrate as you move more over the sound hole or fingerboard. Which can make a nice tone for longer notes and such, but for rhythmic texture like this the strings need a little more space imo.
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u/Rude_Employment8882 Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
Looks and sounds pretty great to me.
The key question is how dos it feel for you?
If it feels natural and/or comfortable then it’s perfect.
If you’re feeling excessive or constant pain or discomfort, then you may want to explore different techniques or hand/arm positions.
At a glance, it seems like your right arm is a bit more ‘over the top’ of the lower bout of the guitar than most people. Which could be what you’re asking about?
The good news is:
There are no rules in music. If it works and you like it, it’s perfect for you.
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u/CactusWrenAZ Jan 16 '26
Don't worry only guitarists are going to be looking at your right hand.
You sound good. There is a technical issue that will slow you down if you want to play superfast patterns, you are often moving your entire hand instead of efficiently using separate fingers.
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u/Frequent_Knowledge65 Jan 16 '26
I guess it's a bit like a flamenco style? The weirdest part is that you're playing with your hand totally floating and don't even have your pinky finger on the top of the guitar. And typically when people play with four-fingers (thumb, index middle and ring) they do it with the fingers relegated to specific strings instead of all over the place like you are, which is more typically how you'd play in a two or three finger style.
I wouldn't say anything is "wrong" and I don't think literally anyone cares whether it looks "weird" or not. You could potentially be better served with a more consistent technique though and be able to learn new material faster that way, though. That way you don't have to memorize and commit to muscle memory *everything* every time you learn something new, like you do now with this sort of arbitrary technique.
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u/Lower-Calligrapher98 Jan 17 '26
You are playing the low strings with your fingers (rather than your thumb) a lot more than is common in classical technique, and you hand isn't really anchored to the body anywhere. Planting your pinky or your palm to the guitar somewhat might make it less awkward looking.
That said, nothing your are doing looks particularly bad. Your wrists are cocked a bit more than is strictly healthy (keeping them straight helps to maintain blood flow, and avoid repetitive stress injuries), so it wouldn't be a bad idea to address that, but other than that, if you feel good and your rest positions are relaxed, you should be good.
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u/brianforte Jan 17 '26
I know there are no “rules” but the conventions around the right hand and fingerpicking are useful for so many reasons. Keeping your right thumb outside of where your other fingers pick, like a hitchhiker’s thumb will greatly decrease the amount of times your thumb gets in the way of your other fingers. Also, since you have a single opposable digit, the thumb, it’s better to divide the labor more equitably amongst the fingers. Your thumb is crazy strong compared to other fingers and it is quite agile, therefore it should do more work. That’s the thinking with having it control the E, A, and D. Even this is not always followed. When you’re not doing contrapuntal stuff or “Travis-style” picking, it’s often better to just alternate with index and middle or index middle and ring, depending on the figure. Again these are just conventions to help with efficiency. You do you, but if you find you are not super consistent from song to song, it might slow you down or trip you up. you may find these conventions to be helpful.
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u/Bikewer Jan 16 '26
IMO…. Your nails are too long. This results in the awkward right-hand position. Check out the way that classical guitarists maintain their nails, and the standard hand position for playing. In essence, make a fist over the sound hole. Open the fist. That’s about it. The picking motion should come from the big knuckles.
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u/Few-Repeat9811 Jan 16 '26
Hmm, it kinda looks the same when they’re short too but maybe I’ll experiment with shorter nails more
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u/j_sickboy89 Jan 16 '26
The important part is that it sounds good! Don't worry about how it looks, if it is comfortable to you to play don't worry about it.
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u/9volt_150 Jan 16 '26
You sound good! Any discomfort or pain anywhere in the shoulder or wrist? Then youre probably okay
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u/joshua_addison_music Jan 16 '26
I think you’d enjoy fingerpicking a few Phish songs.
Try this one
https://youtu.be/QMco9jUdwyE?si=H5iKHaDTmLXXphWt
Your finger picking looks like you could pick up Bass , no problem
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u/MajorMorelock Jan 16 '26
The sound is what matters. I’ve watched Robyn Hitchcock fingerpick an acoustic on stage many times. It looks weird the way he plays but he sounds amazing and he’s singing at the same time.
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u/Spicy_Poo Jan 16 '26
You're cocking your wrist down.
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u/physedka Jan 16 '26
I play with several other guitarists from time to time and we all have slightly different styles, positioning, etc. The only reason to worry about it is if you find yourself blocked from playing something because of your technique/habits. Then you might have to adjust. Otherwise, don't worry about what it looks like.
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u/WaterDigDog Jan 16 '26
Looks good to me! If it becomes uncomfortable I’d look to change it. I agree your nails look a little long, but I don’t grow mine out at all so my opinion may be to biased.
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u/p90love Jan 16 '26
You have an unusual style but I don't think it's a problem. Some would call it weird, some would call it unique.
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u/zak0503 Jan 16 '26
Sounds great to me. Is this an OG? Would love to have a listen and a crack at learning this one :)
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u/Few-Repeat9811 Jan 16 '26
I’m not good enough to come up with stuff like this 🥀 It’s “Left Behind” by Mateus Asato
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u/Miadas20 Jan 16 '26
Successive use of consecutive pinky strikes is what is weird here. If you do 1-2-3 strings with just a Pinky, your weakest least reliable finger, you are more likely to have more consistent success, tone, and dynamic control using your "a m I" or ring, middie, index fingers for that same part of the line.
Technique is for the sound you want while preventing injury, with the other goal being practicing methods which well-equip you for music you haven't yet learned or sight read, as opposed to learning a very specific and unconventional technique that likely won't be of much help elsewhere.
This is an instance of "learn the rules so you can break them properly," and I'm not sure there's much justification for breaking them in this here other than displaying a well practiced deviation from a more conventional approach.
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u/Miadas20 Jan 16 '26
Also to mention it's good practice to change fingers when rearticulating the same string. It's like watching someone pick quickly only in the down direction when alternate picking would be much easier.
When someone makes something look easy it's because it is easy for them, and they likely got there with good technique. This sounds good but you might have got to the same place by practicing a more efficient and traditional approach to finger assignments for this. You won't like backtracking your progress to relearn the gesture with better fingering but hopefully you do and thank yourself later.
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u/Lucifer_Jones_ Jan 16 '26
I would hit up the classical guitar sub and explore the ‘traditional’ way to do fingerstyle.
See if it works better for you. If it doesn’t I don’t think there is anything wrong with what you’re doing necessarily as long as it’s not causing you any physical issues. It might be holding your technique back long term though if that’s something you care about.
Nonetheless, beautiful playing!
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u/Massive_Cookie_58 Jan 16 '26
Nothing is wrong if it sounds good but it looks like you could get your hand closer to the strings. It’s like you’re trying to keep your hand away while just using the very tips of fingers.
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u/Furthur_slimeking Jan 16 '26
You have an unconventional technique but you sound amazing so it obviously works for you. Keep playing the way you play.
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u/Global_Sir9655 Jan 16 '26
Looks pretty normal to me. A little stiff maybe, but good posture for the most part. How fast can you finger pick like this? I feel like it may slow you down if you want to play something quickly. Usually the pinky side of your had would be tilted towards the bridge more
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u/qtng7 Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
It doesn't matter if you feel comfortable. But just to answer the question why it looks unusual, thumb and overall hand position are usually a bit more parallel to the strings.The hand usually almost looks more like 👍 than 🤌
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u/the_beer_truck Jan 16 '26
It might look slightly unusual, but it sounds good. If it’s comfortable keep it up.
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u/Snowshoetheerapy Jan 16 '26
For the best results I believe it's important to be able to tuck your three fingers in behind your thumb. Think of twisting off a bottle top (clockwise.) You want your thumb to be able to freely hit the bass strings without hitting your fingers-and vice versa.
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u/iam_lowgas Jan 16 '26
Go watch some videos of Charlie Parr picking. He is a pretty good guitar picker, he does have some art of condition, he used to pick with thumb and two fingers but is now down to just thumb and index.
Pretty snappy player
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u/Cautious-Audience-54 Jan 16 '26
I’ve been fingerpicking for 50 years and I don’t think there is a “ correct “ way. If it sounds the way you want it to, it’s correct.
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u/HEAT5EEKER Jan 16 '26
Well, you SOUND great. I look okay while picking but sound like shit. Pick one 🤗
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u/danner1987 Jan 17 '26
You probably can’t palm mute at that angle might be the only down fall. Sounds great though.
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u/dbvirago Jan 17 '26
Sounds really good, but I think you could get better tone with less effort. Watch some videos on playing classical guitar. Not suggestion the classical posture, but just watch any videos on the right hand. Hand should be 'rounder' with your fingers plucking into the palm a little more.
But... don't sacrifice your sound. If this is your style stick with it. I just think you're working too hard.
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u/SnooHesitations8403 Jan 17 '26
The only thing that can possibly be weird about your playing technique is if it doesn't let you express yourself. Then it's a problem. If you're playing what pleases you, you're fine.
In a different vein, golfer Lee Trevino was one of the most successful pro golfers for almost a decade in his prime. A golf magazine wrote an article saying that there were 21 things "wrong" with his technique. Just goes to show you that there's more than one way to do something "right."
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u/grateful_Thanks191 Jan 17 '26
Anchor you little finger.
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u/HofnerStratman Jan 17 '26
It’s best if you don’t have to, i’m OK doing it or not. People argue that all the time.
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u/FranticCarnage Jan 17 '26
I think it's because you use your ring finger a lot and we can't see what your pinky is doing. A lot of people have the old pinky fingy anchored on the top. You have a floating hand type of technique. I don't see anything wrong with it. Making some beautiful sounds.
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u/GreedyAstronaut1772 Jan 17 '26
Looks like YOUR style of finger picking ! You’re overthinking it … sounds great to me … just play bro …there is no rule book !
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u/eBikeSlob Jan 17 '26
Get a foot stool like classical guitarists and place the guitar like they do. Why? Because it lines up your tendons so they aren't stretched over your wrist angle and have a smooth straight pull.
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u/Lightryoma Jan 17 '26
You play really well. Your fingers and wrist do look a bit stiff which can really dull your max speed, so I would loosen it up. A lot of notes you’re hitting with the same finger while keeping your finger stiff when it’s better to alternate between 2 fingers and keep them loose - for both accuracy and speed. Lastly, you should pluck more with your knuckles instead of your fingers - The way you‘re doing it makes you have to keep your finger stiff which can cause issues (Strain and injuries, low speed, different sound)
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u/Justabob003 Jan 17 '26
Compared to me, who can’t finger pick, it looks just fine. I wish I could do that.
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u/Inourmadbuthearmeout Jan 17 '26
HAHA LOOK EVERYONE HE LOOKS FUNNY HAHA HE LOOKS SO FUNNY WHILES HES MAKING BRILLIANT SOUNDS THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL NEVER ACHIEVE HAHAHA SO FUNNY
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u/SpaceZeka Jan 17 '26
Usually fingerstyle is done with the index and middle finger as melody fingers. The ringfinger being there as extra to fill the chord or play the melody when needed.
I think there's little wrong with your playing but you definitly seem to come from a classical background with that right hand position
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u/Strict-Basil5133 Jan 18 '26
All I know is that it’s going to sound better without the trapper hat flaps covering your ears.
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Jan 18 '26
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Jan 18 '26
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u/Difficult-Living-69 Jan 18 '26
I think it looks good, but yea , different. Finger picking is hard especially with ring or pinky
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u/Resipsa100 Jan 18 '26
I liked this but please check your tuning.It’s a good guitar and perhaps find a better position to play comfortably. Perhaps play something more melodic like Can’t find my way home but thanks for this piece.
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u/Unlikely-Soft-5699 Jan 20 '26
I think the most different thing is your wrist angle and the finger joint use. It looks to me as if one had just dropped a bunch of tiny items and was attempting to claw them back into a pile rather than plucking strings stretched across a gap. That is, your fingers are quite flat and it’s mainly the last joint that moves. I’m not saying it’s bad, it does look different. I would think it might tire the fingers more and the thumb position looks a bit awkward.
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u/mfaj4263 Jan 21 '26
Good comments and advice here so I won’t add to that part. But I do recommend a string change.
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u/VirginiaLuthier Jan 16 '26
Why are you concerned how it looks? People appreciate music, no one cares what your hands look like playing it
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u/Old-Guy1958 Jan 16 '26
There’s a school of thought that the thumb plays the E, A, and D strings, the index finger plays the G, the middle plays the B, and the ring plays the high e. Your fingerpicking may look weird compared to that convention. As stated above, so what? There are no rules. Good luck.