20 Guitar Fingerstyle Patterns

Learning guitar fingerstyle patterns is an excellent way to add a new dimension to your playing; you can practice them over the chord progressions, just like the strumming patterns.

Unlike strumming patterns, where you hit multiple strings simultaneously, fingerstyle patterns are played string by string most of the time. This method delivers a more lyrical and soft sound.

Typically, you use a clean electric or acoustic guitar to play this sort of thing. Another approach worth noting is that you can use a distorted electric guitar sound with palm muting to play this thing in heavier styles while still maintaining clarity in your music.

The patterns go more or less from the simplest to more advanced ones.

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Pattern 1

Pattern 2

A small piece of a guitar tab that accompanies the explanation written before it — The dotted lines in the diagrams represent the relative positions of the strings, and the lowest line will not necessarily be the low E string. For example, for the open C chord, it would be the 5th string, while for the open D chord, it is the 4th string.

Pattern 3

Pattern 4

Note that you can't play patterns 2 and 3 straightforwardly as they are depicted here, let's say on the D open chord, because these patterns spread over 5 strings while the D open chord is played using just 4. Be flexible in adjusting the patterns to your situation and trust your ears. For example, instead of jumping over the 5th string after the 1st note in pattern 3, use it and move the rest of the notes one string lower, like this:

A diagram of a finger-picking pattern that accompanies the explanation written nearby

By the way, this new formation sounds better with some songs, so don't feel constrained by the diagrams; feel free to exchange notes, alternate the bass note from one string to the next on each even bar, like in pattern 15 and so on...

Pattern 5

Pattern 6

Pattern 7

Pattern 8

Pattern 9

Used in 'Wasting Love' by Iron Maiden.

Pattern 10

Pattern 11

Pattern 12

Pattern 13

Pattern 14

Pattern 15

Here, the thumb alternately switches between the two lower bass strings.

Pattern 16 - Traditional Waltz

A diagram of guitar fingerpicking pattern 16 for in waltz

Pay attention that a waltz has a 3/4 time signature. This means that the duration of 1 bar is equal to 3 quarter notes, unlike the more commonly encountered 4/4 time signature, where 1 bar is equal to 4 quarter notes.

Pattern 17

Pattern 18

(Good for intros and bridges.)

Pattern 19

Pattern 20

If you want to learn some easy fingerstyle tunes to play for beginners, check out the Classical Guitar Sheet Music and Tabs for Beginners Page

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This article was last updated on August 27, 2025

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