This lesson is mainly for the intermediate guitar player, but there are certainly components in this piece you can practice as a beginner that will really benefit your playing. 

Have a great one!

Video Lesson

Acoustic Guitar Fingerstyle with Bass Lines

This arrangement consists of 5 parts that I also refer to in the video lesson and you can see it in the tablature as well, so you can easily follow along. It’s a nice challenge so take your time with it. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a real beauty.

Go get ‘m!

Tabs

If you like the lesson subscribe to Guitarhabits’ Youtube channel for more!

Enjoy the lesson!

Video Lesson

Plucking technique

For the plucking / picking hand use your thumb for the Low E, A and D string. Use your index finger for the G-string, your middle finger for the B-string and your ring finger for the high e-string.

Tabs

If you like the lesson subscribe to Guitarhabits’ Youtube channel for more!

Are you looking to spice up your guitar practice with a cool and nifty 12-bar blues riff? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, the 12-bar blues is a fundamental structure that offers endless opportunities for creativity.

In this post, we’ll break down a simple yet impressive blues riff with hammer-ons and plucking the strings that’s easy to learn and guaranteed to add flair to your playing. Plus, don’t miss the included video lesson and the accompanied Tabs to help you master it step by step!

What’s in a Name

A while ago I was on holiday with my family and we went the to Veluwe National Park. It’s the largest forest area in The Netherlands. While I was enjoying my coffee, relaxing on the couch and fiddling on my guitar I came up with a 12 bar blues, hence the name Veluwe Couch Blues.

Tabs for the 12 Bar Blues

How to Play The Blues Riff

1. Bars 1-4: Start with a rhythmic pattern based on the E7 chord. Use alternate picking to keep the groove consistent.
2. Bars 5-6: Shift to the A7 chord. Notice the similar finger shapes, which make transitions smooth.
3. Bars 7-8: Return to the E7 chord and repeat the opening riff.
4. Bar 9: Move to the B7 chord and play the designated riff for one bar.
5. Bar 10: Transition to the A7 chord for one bar.
6. Bars 11-12: Play the closing riff in E7, resolving the progression beautifully and setting up the next loop.

What Is the 12-Bar Blues?

The 12-bar blues is a classic chord progression used in countless blues, rock, and even jazz songs. It typically follows a structure of three four-bar sections:

• The I chord (root chord) for 4 bars.
• The IV chord (subdominant) for 2 bars, followed by the I chord for 2 bars.
• The V chord (dominant) for 1 bar, the IV chord for 1 bar, and a closing riff in the I chord for 2 bars.

E7 | E7 | E7 | E7
A7 | A7 | E7 | E7
B7 | A7 | E7 | E7 (closing riff)

Why Learn the 12-Bar Blues?

The 12-bar blues is more than just a chord progression; it’s a gateway to musical improvisation and expression. Mastering a few riffs and licks can:

• Improve your timing and rhythm.
• Expand your knowledge of scales and chords.
• Prepare you for jamming with other musicians.
• Tips for Practicing
• Start Slow: Use a metronome to keep time and gradually increase your speed.
• Focus on Groove: Blues is all about feel, so emphasize the rhythmic swing.
• Experiment with Variations: Add slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs to make the riff your own.
• Jam with a Backing Track: Playing along with a track can help you internalize the 12-bar structure.

Enjoy!

Today I’m going to show you a simplified fingerstyle version of The House of the rising sun by the Animals. This is ideal for beginner guitar players.

You will recognize the song instantly and most people probably wouldn’t notice the difference. In fact there are many guitar players who just play it this way, and aren’t even aware they are playing the simplified version.

It’s an easy and widely used fingerpicking pattern that you will also come across in many other popular songs. I’d say a win-win situation.

Tip: Try to memorize chord progression of the song in the video. That way you will likely to pick up your guitar several times throughout the day to practice the tune and make progress much faster.

The song and the fingerpicking pattern is a classic, it’s fun to play and should definitely be part of your repertoire. A perfect beginner fingerpicking song.

Enjoy!

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There’s something hypnotic and soothing about playing fingerpicking songs. Beautiful melodies and harmonies are all integrated in fingerstyle arrangements. Once you’re in the flow of fingerpicking you can play on and on and on. A perfect moment to forget about everything and just be one with your guitar.

Of course, in order to get there you first have to practice. But also practicing in itself is a joy. Overcoming the obstacles and challenges in a fingerpicking song can be really exhilarating. The hard work pays off and gives you a song to play for the rest of your life.

Guitar playing is a win-win situation. You play for yourself but you also make other people happy if you play for them. Fingerpicking is just magical.

Intermediate Guitar Fingerpicking Songs

Today we have 30 beautiful fingerpicking songs for the intermediate guitar player. From pop fingerpicking hits to classics and golden oldies.

If you’re a beginner, first start here: Top 20 Easy Guitar Fingerpicking Songs For Beginners.

Now on the intermediate fingerstyle songs. Each song title contains a guitar video lesson. The “Chords” link shows you the chords and lyrics to the song and “Tabs” will give you the tablature notation for the song.

Pick one and start your practice session now. Enjoy!

I’ve split up the song into the Intro, Verse part I, II, III, IV and the Chorus. They are all present in the video. Everything is explained slowly and in close up.

Have fun!

Take your time to learn the song. Start with the Intro or Verse part I (alternative intro) until you get that down, then start with part II of the verse and so on. Take a day or a few days to learn each section thoroughly.

Don’t forget to pour yourself a cup of hot tea or make a nice cappuccino :)

Enjoy the process!

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Today I’m gonna teach you a simplified guitar version of the song “Everybody Hurts” by REM. This fingering picking pattern is easier and more comfortable to play, which is great for beginners and it stills sounds great.

I’m gonna take you through it step by step, the chords, the pattern, the right fingering, finger placement, slow and in close up. The guitar lesson is divided up into 4 parts, all present in this video, to make sure the whole piece is easy to follow and understand.

Let’s dive in!

Practice with dedication, persistence, and patience and you will be able to play this beautiful classic.

Have fun!

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Do you want to experience the best Christmas ever? All you have to do is change a few small habits. For you solo and fingerstyle players out there, let’s dig in and work on some classic Christmas tunes!

Click the song title to listen to the song on YouTube. Study and memorise the vocal melody line thoroughly before you grab your guitar. Click “Tabs” the read and learn the song by tabs. There are tabs for beginners and intermediate. Choose your skill level and accept the challenge.

Have fun!

1 – Jingle Bells – Tabs (Beginner, Intermediate)

2 – We wish you a merry christmas – Tabs (Beginner) – Tabs (Intermediate)

3 – Silent night – Tabs (Beginner) – Tabs (Intermediate Beginner)

4 – Jingle Bells Rock – Tabs (Beginner) – Tabs (Intermediate Beginner)

5 – Rudolph the red nose reindeer – Tabs (Beginner) – Tabs (Intermediate Beginner)

6 – White Christmas – Tabs (Beginner) – Tabs (Intermediate) – Tabs (Advanced, Int.)

7 – Hark The Herald Angels Sing – Tabs (Beginners) – Tabs (Intermediate Beginner)

8 – Silver bells – Tabs (Beginner, Intermediate)

9 – Joy to the world – Tabs (Beginner) – Tabs (Intermediate)

10 – Deck the halls – Tabs (Beginner) – Tabs (Interm. Beginner) – Tabs (Adv. Interm.)

Happy Holidays!
~Klaus Crow

Fingerpicking also referred to as fingerstyle, is one of the many guitar techniques that is part of the complete guitar skill set and incredibly fun to learn.

Fingerpicking is a technique where you pluck the strings directly with the fingertips, as apposed to strumming  where you move your fingers in a sweeping action across the strings to play some nice and easy guitar songs in a more rhythmic fashion.

Fingerpicking Basics

There are some basic fingerpicking principles for how to place the fingerpicking hand. The traditional way to approach the strings is as follows:

• Use the thumb for the Low E, A and D string (6th, 5th and 4th string)
• Index finger for the G string (3rd string)
• Middle finger for the B string (2nd string)
• Ring finger for the high E string (1st string)

See image below:

Make sure your fingers are curved when you place your fingers onto the strings. When you pluck the strings your thumb goes downwards and the fingers are going in an upwards movement. Now you are ready to practice some fingerpicking patterns.

Scroll to The Easy Guitar Fingerpicking Songs

Fingerpicking Patterns

Usually a song contains a primary fingerpicking pattern that is played throughout the song. The fingerstyle pattern is often also part of the intro of the song which makes the tune easy to recognize.

If you want to learn the most common fingerpicking patterns and exercises check out the video lessons in 16 Legendary Fingerpicking Patterns. Here you can see in close up how I pluck the strings with my fingerpicking hand.

Fingerpicking Songs

Now pick one tune from the 20 best easy fingerpicking songs to start developing your fingerpicking skill. Some are real easy and others a bit more challenging depending on your skill level.

I really tried to keep the songs at beginners level. Make sure you know how to play your basic chords before you dive into this.

Each song title contains a link with a guitar video lesson. The “Tabs” will show you how to read the guitar fingerpicking tabs in full Tablature and “Chords” will give you the chords for the song.

Enjoy!

Easy Guitar Video Lesson: House of the rising sun – The Animals

Easy Guitar Video Lesson: Everbody hurts – REM

If you learned this lesson thoroughly and you want to step up your game you can move on to study the Top 30 Best Intermediate Guitar Fingerpicking Songs

Do you know any easy fingerpicking songs for beginners, please share them in the comments. I appreciate it!

Again follow the tips below when practicing these patterns:

Tips:
– First practice slowly.
– Memorize the pattern.
– Make sure all the notes sounds clean and clear.
– Gradually build up your speed.
– Play the pattern using the chord progression.
– Practice daily.
– Enjoy the moment.
 
Have a great day!

Alternating Bass Fingerpicking Pattern III

 
Alternating Bass Fingerpicking Pattern IV

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