Fingerstyle guitar, an artful technique where the guitarist plucks the strings directly with the fingers rather than using a pick, has become one of the most expressive forms of playing the guitar. Known for its ability to combine melody, harmony, and rhythm all within the same performance, fingerstyle guitar allows for intricate, layered compositions that can evoke a wide range of emotions. From its early origins to the modern virtuosos who continue to redefine the genre, this article will explore the history, key techniques, and influential players of fingerstyle guitar.
The Origins of Fingerstyle Guitar
While the use of fingers for plucking strings dates back to ancient times, the specific style we recognize today as fingerstyle guitar began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early guitarists typically relied on a combination of thumb and fingers for basic accompaniment. However, it wasn’t until the rise of folk and blues music in the United States that fingerstyle guitar began to develop into a distinct style.
In the American South, fingerpicking became an essential technique for guitarists in various musical genres, including blues, folk, and country. Mississippi John Hurt, one of the early pioneers of fingerstyle blues, developed a unique, flowing fingerpicking style that involved alternating between bass lines played with the thumb and intricate melody lines plucked with the fingers. His gentle, yet complex approach to fingerstyle guitar left a lasting mark on the genre, and his influence can still be heard in the works of modern fingerstyle players.
Similarly, Elizabeth Cotten, another blues guitarist from North Carolina, developed a distinct fingerpicking style in which she played a left-handed guitar upside down, creating a fluid, syncopated sound. Cotten’s most famous composition, “Freight Train,” has become a classic in the fingerstyle repertoire. These early blues guitarists laid the foundation for the fingerstyle techniques that would later be popularized in the 20th century.
The Golden Age of Fingerstyle Guitar: The 20th Century
The 20th century saw the rise of folk music and singer-songwriters, bringing fingerstyle guitar to a broader audience. Influential figures such as Doc Watson, John Renbourn, and Leo Kottke helped elevate the technique, combining it with elements of folk, blues, and classical music. Their innovative approaches and distinctive sounds pushed the boundaries of fingerstyle playing.
Doc Watson, who emerged from the Appalachian region, was a major figure in the American folk music revival of the 1960s. Known for his virtuosic fingerstyle technique, Watson blended traditional mountain music with bluegrass and country influences, creating a unique, rich sound. His ability to seamlessly combine melody, bass, and rhythm into a single performance became a defining feature of his style. His instrumental compositions like “Deep River Blues” continue to inspire aspiring fingerstyle guitarists today.
John Renbourn, a British guitarist, was another key figure in the evolution of fingerstyle guitar during the 1960s and 1970s. Renbourn’s ability to blend medieval, Renaissance, and folk music traditions into his fingerstyle playing created a sound that was both intricate and timeless. His work with the Pentangle group, especially on tracks like “The Man Who Would Be King”, showcased his mastery of fingerpicking technique and his understanding of music from across genres and eras.
Meanwhile, American guitarist Leo Kottke took the fingerstyle technique in a different direction, incorporating elements of blues, folk, jazz, and even ragtime. Kottke’s complex fingerpicking style, marked by his use of alternating bass lines and rapid, syncopated rhythms, made him one of the leading figures in the instrumental guitar world. His instrumental pieces like “Vaseline Machine Gun” and “Pamela Brown” are iconic examples of fingerstyle guitar’s potential for intricate, emotive music.
The Modern Fingerstyle Guitar Movement
As the 20th century gave way to the 21st century, fingerstyle guitar began to experience a renaissance, thanks in large part to the efforts of modern virtuosos who combined traditional techniques with innovative ideas. Today, fingerstyle guitar is a highly respected and growing genre, with players regularly creating new, exciting approaches to the technique.
Tommy Emmanuel, an Australian virtuoso, is widely regarded as one of the greatest living fingerstyle guitarists. Known for his impeccable technique, emotive playing, and ability to create multiple layers of sound with a single guitar, Emmanuel has become the face of modern fingerstyle guitar. His use of thumb and fingerpicking in unison to create a full-band effect, as heard in his compositions like “Angelina” and “Lewis & Clark”, has inspired countless guitarists to explore the depth of the instrument.
Another prominent figure in the modern fingerstyle scene is Andy McKee, an American guitarist whose videos on YouTube brought fingerstyle guitar into the mainstream. McKee’s unique approach to the guitar, which involves tapping, slap bass, and percussive techniques alongside traditional fingerpicking, has helped redefine what is possible within the genre. His viral hit, “Drifting,” features intricate fingerpicking and harmonics, creating an ethereal, layered sound that has become synonymous with the modern fingerstyle movement.
In the UK, Michael Hedges was an early innovator in the 1980s and 1990s, blending fingerstyle techniques with influences from classical, jazz, and rock music. Known for his use of alternate tunings and percussive playing, Hedges pushed the boundaries of fingerstyle guitar in ways that were previously unheard of. His music, especially compositions like “Aerial Boundaries” and “The Magic Farmer”, demonstrated the limitless possibilities of the guitar, combining technical complexity with emotional depth.
The Techniques That Define Fingerstyle Guitar
At its core, fingerstyle guitar relies on the ability to play multiple musical elements simultaneously. By using the thumb to maintain a bass line and the fingers to pluck melody and harmony, fingerstyle players can create the illusion of a full band playing together. This separation of duties is one of the defining characteristics of the technique, allowing for a complex, layered sound that is distinct from other guitar styles.
One of the key techniques in fingerstyle guitar is alternating bass. In this technique, the thumb alternates between two or more bass notes, creating a rhythmically driving foundation for the rest of the fingers to play melody and harmony. Alternating bass is a hallmark of traditional folk and blues guitar playing, but it has been adapted and expanded upon by modern players to create more complex rhythms.
Travis picking, named after the legendary American guitarist Merle Travis, is another key technique in fingerstyle guitar. Travis picking involves using the thumb to play a steady bass line while the fingers play syncopated melody and harmony on the higher strings. This technique became widely known through its use in country, folk, and blues music and has been adopted by countless guitarists in various genres.
Another important aspect of modern fingerstyle guitar is the use of harmonics and tapping. These techniques, often associated with contemporary players like Andy McKee and Michael Hedges, allow the guitarist to produce bell-like tones and create rhythmic accents by tapping the body of the guitar or lightly touching the strings at certain points. These techniques add a new dimension to fingerstyle playing, creating an expansive sound that goes beyond traditional guitar techniques.
Conclusion: The Future of Fingerstyle Guitar
Fingerstyle guitar continues to evolve, thanks to the creative innovations of players who push the boundaries of what the guitar can achieve. From its humble beginnings in the folk and blues traditions to its place at the forefront of modern guitar virtuosity, fingerstyle remains one of the most expressive and versatile techniques available to guitarists. With players like Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee, and Michael Hedges leading the way, the future of fingerstyle guitar looks bright, offering endless possibilities for creativity and self-expression. As more guitarists continue to experiment and explore the potential of the technique, the world of fingerstyle guitar will undoubtedly continue to captivate and inspire both musicians and listeners alike.