Community Challenge 92 | Write something with fingerpicking
Added 2025-04-22 22:52:59 +0000 UTCWhere to Start • Lesson Archive • Recommended Lesson Plan • Book a Private Lesson
Hi Everyone,
Every week I post a Community Challenge. These challenges serve as a regular reminder that MAKING music is the single best way to get music theory concepts into your fingers and brain.
Sometimes the challenge is about applying some specific music theory concept. Sometimes it's about a specific technique. Sometimes it's an exercise in limiting yourself to some really specific parameters. Other times it's about writing from a very open ended writing prompt.
This week the challenge is: write something with fingerpicking
Your personal skill level, comfort zone, and free time are all important considerations when approaching a Community Challenge - I’m not asking anyone to write a full song! I’m asking for whatever you have the time, mental bandwidth, and skill to accomplish in roughly two weeks.
If you end up writing ANYTHING, I consider that a huge success. Write SOMETHING. It could be just a simple chord progression you put together or a riff you came up with using a pentatonic scale. Use the writing prompt to guide you and watch my video if you need more ideas.
POST WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN HERE ON THE COMMUNITY FORUM.
Check out the Lesson Archive for more Community Challenges - you’re welcome to participate on any past Challenge at any time!
Comments
Some people like to use picks on all fingers, but it's pretty rare these days. Fingernails work pretty well, and you can develop callouses on your fingertips over time if you don't like using your nails.
Scott Paul Johnson
2025-04-24 19:11:12 +0000 UTCSo appreciate watching you go through the process. Noticed you were using your thumb pick to play high strings. I guess you could use picks on index, middle and ring? Thoughts? Thank you
Nancy T. Carnahan
2025-04-24 16:56:10 +0000 UTCI really like to see the acoustic. You really make it shine. Fingerpicking is so unforgiving. Nowhere to hide! Thanks
Weezley
2025-04-24 04:16:41 +0000 UTCThanks! I'd like to practice this little thing more and turn it into a song
Scott Paul Johnson
2025-04-23 20:10:51 +0000 UTCLauren! Check my technique check in lesson from a few videos ago
Scott Paul Johnson
2025-04-23 20:10:34 +0000 UTCIf someone ( let's say me) has never done any kind of fingerpicking before, is there a good resource for tips and tricks? Im not sure where to start.
Lauren Wise
2025-04-23 16:49:34 +0000 UTCLovely!
Tasha McManus
2025-04-23 06:18:07 +0000 UTCAwesome
Erin
2025-04-23 02:42:23 +0000 UTC
