The fingers of the right-hand (P-I-M-A) pluck and strum the guitar strings. In this lesson we learn the basics of right-hand technique.
Right Arm Position
The right forearm rests gently on the lower bout of the guitar. Adjust arm position so the hand falls over or near the soundhole:
Right-Hand Position
Successful right-hand technique begins with a good hand position:
Form a fist and place it on the strings near the soundhole. Push out from the fingertips until the fingers are slightly curved.
Arch the wrist slightly and align it with the forearm. A line drawn through the knuckles should intersect the strings at a 30 to 45 degree angle.
Position your thumb so it forms an “x” with the index finger and hovers over the bass strings.
To help stabilize the hand, you may wish place the thumb on a bass string.
Right-Hand Position | The thumb forms an “x” with the index finger.
Your View of the Right-Hand Position
Right-Hand Position | Knuckles intersect strings at a 30 to 45 degree angle.
Plucking the String
Strings are traditionally plucked with the fingernail and fingertip. If you don’t have long enough fingernails, use fingertip flesh. You can still make a beautiful tone.
Free Stroke
Individual strings are plucked with a technique called the free stroke.
Preparation: Place your finger so the left side of the nail and the fingertip touch the string simultaneously.
Completion: Pull the finger through the string—towards the palm—so it clears the adjacent string (bend the middle joint slightly).
The stroke movement comes mainly from the base of the finger. Do not pull the string outwards or move the wrist or arm while plucking.
Exercise 1 | Alternating Fingers (m-i)
The goal of this exercise is to learn to pluck the strings by alternating between the middle and index fingers. Watch the video demonstration for increased clarity and to participate in a play along.
Pluck the first string four times.
Pluck the second string four times.
Pluck the third string four times.
Pluck the second string four times.
Repeat the above four steps.
Cross to an adjacent string by moving the right-hand and forearm slightly. Adjust the stroke until a good tone results. Practice slowly and evenly.
Below is the above exercise written in quasi tablature. The upper line (1) represents the first or E string, the line below it, the second (2) or B string, and, finally, the bottom line is the third or G string.
Once smooth, you may wish to improvise using the m-i combination with different string sequences. The main goals are to gain fluidity alternating fingers (m-i) and develop a sense of string spacing and feel.
Exercise No. 1 | Tutorial and play along for Exercise 1.
Technique Fight | Quarrel over use of flesh or fingernails for plucking the string | Charles de Marescot, La Guitaromanie (1825) | Wikipedia Commons
Thumb Strum
The technique of strumming—drawing the right hand fingers quickly across the strings—is used to play chords. The most basic strum is called the thumb strum. Thumb strums may be used to play chords of three to six notes:
Place the thumb’s fleshy underside on the sixth string and curl the fingers into the palm.
Moving from the forearm, quickly push the thumb through the strings. Maintain even pressure and move perpendicular to the strings.
Thumb Strum
Simple Strum 4/4
Practice strumming the open strings with a steady beat: count 1-2-3-4 and use your thumb to strum on beat 1. If one string is louder or softer than the others, adjust thumb pressure so each string is heard clearly.
Exercise 2 | Simple Strum 4/4
Exercise No. 2 | Thumb strum "how to" and play along.
When the above exercises sound smooth, move on to the next page and take on left-hand technique.
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Right-Hand Position
Plucking the String
Thumb Strum
