Fingerstyle technique
Have you tried strumming with your fingers, only to find it doesn’t sound quite right? This lesson is for you. I’ll walk you through the main techniques to get you started.
Strumming with your fingers gives you more control over the sound than a pick does. The tone changes depending on what touches the strings: the fleshy pad of a finger, your thumb, or a nail.
First, you’ll learn the four strums I use most. You can start using them in your playing right away. At the end, I’ll show you some more advanced techniques you can try to expand your finger-strumming palette even further.
The Four Finger Strums I Use Most
Thumb Only
Strum down and back up with the fleshy pad of your thumb, keeping your nail off the strings. The result is a soft, even sound.
I like this strum when I’m playing acoustic guitar and want to sing along. My singing isn’t strong, and this strum keeps the guitar quiet enough for my voice to come through. If you’re a strong singer, you may not need the help!
Fingers Only
This one uses just your fingers. Strum down with your fingernails and back up with the fleshy pads of your fingers.
Your arm stays still. All the motion comes from your hand opening and closing. This strum works great on a steel-string guitar.
Thumb and Fingers, Version 1
My go-to
This is the strum I use most often, because it’s the most versatile. Strum down with the nails of your fingers and back up with your thumbnail.
Your elbow joins in on this one, but keep the movement small and compact.
Thumb and Fingers, Version 2
This builds on Strum #3, but you start with the thumb. Your thumb plays either a single bass note or several bass strings together, and then your fingers strum as they do in Strum #3.
That gives it a galloping sound that’s distinctly different from the other three strums.
| Strum | Down | Up | Why use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Thumb only | Pad of the thumb | Pad of the thumb | Soft, even sound; good for singing along |
| #2 Fingers only | Fingernails | Finger pads | All the motion comes from the hand; great on steel-string |
| #3 Thumb and fingers, v1 | Fingernails | Thumbnail | The most versatile; my go-to |
| #4 Thumb and fingers, v2 | Thumb on the bass, then fingernails | Thumbnail | A galloping sound |
Bonus: More Advanced Finger Strumming Techniques
Ready for a challenge? These four build on the strums above.
Mute Strum
The mute strum is very common and popular. In the clip, I’m strumming down with my fingernails and up with my thumb, as in Strum #3, and adding a mute.
To mute, I lay my right palm on the strings at the same moment I open my hand.
Bass Strum
This one adds bass notes to the thumb-and-fingers strum. Your thumb plays the bass notes, and your fingers strum the chord.
It can be a little tricky at first, because your thumb has to get in there for each bass note before your fingers strum.
Rasgueado
Spanish sound
The rasgueado uses three fingers. Start with your fingers tucked up into your palm. Then flick them out against the strings one at a time, starting with your third finger.
Space the flicks far enough apart that you can hear each finger, because that’s what makes it sound like a rasgueado.
Rumba Flamenco Strum
Spanish sound
The last bonus strum is another common Spanish sound. In the clip, I strum down with my fingers, up with my thumb, down again with my fingers, and then flatten my hand against the strings to mute them.
What has your experience been with finger strumming? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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