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Fingerpicking Mandolin Part III - Chapter I
Fingerpicking Studies #1

by Mickey Cochran

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Your First Exercise

We're going to start out very slowly...by first focusing on our thumb movement...and then introducing our index finger. The objective would be to keep an even time as you count through the music. If necessary tap your foot at the same time as you're counting out the 4 beats per measure.

There will be no fretting involved; the focus is solely on the fingerpicking pattern of alternating the thumb and index fingers.

Notes: Pay special attention to the letters above the tablature. These designate which fingers to use as you fingerpick. The numbers below the tablature indicate the meter and establish the rhythm of the piece. Be extra careful to keep an even tempo as you go through this study. In this first study our focus will be on playing with just the thumb and index finger.

Goals: 1. To keep an even tempo. 2. To hit only the strings designated in the sheet music. 3. To gain facility with alternating the thumb and index fingers.

T = Thumb • I = Index Finger • M = Middle Finger


Copyright ©2000-2009 Mystic West Products

Mandolin Website MapReturn to Lessons SectionReturn to Homepage


Folk of the Wood Acoustic Music Instruction Folk of the Wood Homepage
Mystic West stic West Online Store
Acoustic Music Video Samplers
Folk of the Wood FAQs