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Basic Picking Exercises

Following are exercises that are written in tablature...to learn how to properly read tablature, go to our Tablature Basics Page.

Flatpicking Basics: Downstrokes

We will first focus on our right hand and learn to properly flatpick in up and down directions...this will assist you with establishing good timing and a strong picking hand...especially critical in bluegrass settings. You will not need to concern yourself with fretting the instrument; our goal is to direct our energies to only the right hand to minimize any confusion.

First start out by making sure that your pick is a medium or light. This exercise is easier to accomplish if the pick has flexibility. A heavy pick takes a little more practice. We will start by counting to 4 while tapping our foot. With each downbeat you will pick in a downward motion for each string where the numbers are listed 1 2 3 4.

Flatpicking Basics: Upstrokes

On the second part of this exercise, where the numbers count out 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &, we will now incorporate our upstroke...Follow the same procedure as you did in the downstrokes exercise...except now insert one upstroke between each downstroke. As you count to 4, use an "and" between each count to represent your new upstroke. The "&" will now represent an upstroke and the numerals all represent downstrokes.

These exercises are performed on all 4 strings. Notice the corresponding standard notation to each TAB number. This will assist you in learning standard notation too.

D = Downstroke

U = Upstroke

Practice the above exercises until you are completely comfortable with your fingerpicking and switching over strings without hesitating between beats. Remember, these exercises are considered accomplished only if you're keeping an even tempo without losing a beat.

Copyright ©2004 Mickey Cochran

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