Tag Archives: Fingerstyle Guitar

We Three Kings of Orient Are: Christmas Fingerstyle Guitar

‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this fingerstyle guitar lesson, we’ll learn three verse variations and two chorus variations. In the key of Am, first up, we’ll cover a basic, beginner fingerstyle version of the melody. We’ll then move on to a pretty version of the melody in the open position for the intermediate picker, then, moving up the neck, we’ll look at a great version, with a lovely variation of harmony, suited to the advanced intermediate picker. The Go to lesson...

Star of Munster: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

The Star of Munster is a traditional Irish reel, in the key of Am (dorian). In this lesson we’ll dive into a fingerstyle arrangement that will suit the advanced picker. Featuring some challenging articulation, the melody moves in an interesting way, which will certainly present a challenge at times. Played at a fast tempo, the Star of Munster will make an excellent addition to your fingerstyle repertoire! Go to lesson...

Da New Rigged Ship: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Da New Rigged Ship is a traditional Scottish reel, with a 3 part form. Part A & C are in Am (dorian), while part B modulates into A Major. In this lesson we’ll dive into an arrangement that contains two variations, that will suit the advanced picker.

The first variation sets the melody & positions, while the second variation includes more variation and articulation. Go to lesson...

Childgrove: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Childgrove is a traditional English country dance, played in the key of Am. In this lesson. we’ll dive into an arrangement that works its way up the neck in part A, with plenty of triads and harmony, while playing down the neck in part B with the melody and deep tones really setting the mood. Go to lesson...

Banish Misfortune: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar

Banish Misfortune is a traditional Irish Jig (6/8), in the key of D (mixolydian – 5th mode of G). We’re in open Dsus4 tuning (DADGAD), and this fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left & right hand positions, that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. Go to lesson...

Colonel John Irwin: Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Colonel John Irwin is an Air (6/8), composed by Turlough O’Carolan, in the key of D (drop D tuning), and has a very sweet melody. This fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left-hand positions that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. As part of this lesson, we’ll cover the techniques needed to play this beautiful tune. Go to lesson...

Handsome Molly: Fingerstyle Guitar

Handsome Molly is a traditional ballad and in this arrangement there are 2 solo variations, plus an accompaniment variation and outro. Played in the key of G in Drop D tuning, the Travis picking technique is a feature of this version. The parts can be arranged to suit many forms of the song, either with a singer or played as an instrumental. Go to lesson...

Amazing Grace: Fingerstyle Guitar

In this lesson we’ll look at a beautiful fingerstyle arrangement of Amazing Grace. There are two variations, a basic version plus a more advanced version, both suitable for the intermediate picker. The guitar is tuned in Drop D and for this lesson I’ve used the capo at fret 2, putting us in the key of E. Go to lesson...

Angeline The Baker: Fingerstyle Guitar

Angeline The Baker is a popular fiddle tune and in this lesson we’ll look at a Travis picking arrangement. In the key of D, the guitar is tuned to Open D (DADF#AD), which works great for the melody and as part of this lesson we’ll break down the tune, working through the rhythm & technique. Go to lesson...

First Noel, The: Christmas Fingerstyle Guitar

‘Tis the season! The First Noel is a traditional English Christmas carol and in this lesson we’ll look at an intermediate fingerstyle arrangement, in the key of D, played in drop D tuning. There are two variations within the arrangement, the first sticking close to the melody with a focus on 2 part harmony, while the second variation embellishes the melody while also developing a 3 part harmony. Go to lesson...