Preparing for Fingerpicking Exercise #2

It’s helpful to practice some of the individual chord changes with the fingerpicking pattern before tackling the full exercise. Try this:

1. Practice playing C to G with a simple straight down strum. Strum the C four times, then switch to G and strum it four times. Use either your thumb or a pick and strum straight down. Practice changing chords without slowing down or speeding up. Spend just a few minutes on this before doing the next step.
2. Practice C to G with fingerpicking. Now do the same thing with the fingerpicking pattern. Play slowly and again be sure not to slow down when you change chords. Now you’re practicing changing chords and fingerpicking at the same time.
3. Repeat the process with D minor to G. Now do the same thing with these two chords. First practice changing with a simple straight down strum. Then practice using the fingerpicking pattern.

If you spend just a few minutes on each of these steps it will help you tremendously when you practice the entire exercise.