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Sep 6, 2024 - 1:06:54 PM
10 posts since 6/23/2022

I have been a chord /rhythm player for 50 years. I want to learn Flatpicking. Where / how do I start? Thanks

Sep 7, 2024 - 4:36:29 AM

318 posts since 4/22/2009

You could start with a good beginner flatpick instruction book and take it from page 1.

You could just start noodling around, trying to find melody notes to a song you want to play.

You could look up guitar riffs and incorporate them into your playing.

I went from banjo to guitar and started out with a beginner flatpick book. There's a lot of information in there that wouldn't be new to you, but there's also a lot of information on flatpicking that would be very valuable. That's how I'd start out.

Here's the book I started out with. Take a look on the Mel Bay site and see if that's something you might be interested in buying. Mel Bay's Complete Flatpicking Guitar Book by Steve Kaufman.

I'm sure there are many other good beginner books out there, that's just the one I started on.

Whatever you decide, good luck and have fun!

Sep 7, 2024 - 7:06:22 AM

10 posts since 6/23/2022

Thanks!

Sep 7, 2024 - 3:07:09 PM

Tony O Rourke

Australia

37 posts since 2/13/2016

''Hot Licks For Bluegrass Guitar''(Orrin Starr), not a beginner's book but if you've been playing rhythm for a long time you'll find a hole lot of new ideas.

Sep 8, 2024 - 6:12 AM

10 posts since 6/23/2022

I just might have that book. Thanks

Sep 24, 2024 - 3:08:06 AM

24 posts since 12/21/2011

Consider joining my instructional channel, Flatpicking Experience:
truefire.com/h2343

Hundreds of video lessons and tabs neatly organized in learning paths.
Members are from various countries, forming an international community—a wonderful group of individuals interacting, learning together, and sharing a common passion. Plus, we meet twice a month for enjoyable Zoom sessions, where we play and practice together.
Roberto Dalla Vecchia

Sep 24, 2024 - 7:05:45 AM

10 posts since 6/23/2022

Thanks for the info

Oct 14, 2024 - 6:57:20 AM

corvee55

Germany

1 posts since 7/15/2024

Hi,
I now played for 45-50 years and still enjoy it everyday.
Love fiddletunes and listen a lot to the old Norman Blake.
In all those years I play guitar I NEVER was able to play steady with my Pickin' hand.
Fast or slow, I always making mistakes: Tried to simplyfied tunes by playing less notes as it should be.
Ok, playing slowly is the option, but after all these years it become a bit boring.
Fingerpinkin' stuff is complete ok, but using a flatpick is sometimes a complete nightmare.
Do I held the pick as it should be between the fingers? etc.
Ok, I play fiddletunes: Black mountain rag, Whiskey before breakfast. etc.
Some will, some won't.
But my picking hand get most of the time not synchrone with my playing hand, How hard I tried.
Today the pickin' is ok, and the next day it feels if you're playin' tunes for the first time.
Am I the only person on the planet with this problem.?
I know, if it was that easy, everyone could play like Norman Blake or Bryan Sutton.
I think It should exist in your fingers and in your brain. Another explanation I can't think of.
Rg, Cor

Feb 19, 2026 - 2:20:24 PM

5 posts since 2/11/2025

I liked and bought all of Steve Kaufman's "Parking Lot" series. I recommend series 1. Here is why I like these instructorals -

1. 20 Popular tunes.
2. Tabulature and standard music notation.
3. Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced versions for each tune.
4. Steve offers vocal hints about playing more difficult parts of tunes.
5. Recorded music is provided for every tunes.
6 You can play just lead or just rhythm.

The book/recordings seem expensive. But each of the 3 version of 20 tunes is like having 60 lessons. Hint - Get the "Amazing Slow Downer" software. Great for learning. Change keys easily. Play tune at comfortable speed. Loop tunes by designated number. I use this software more than any other.

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