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Fingerstyle Guitar - Beginner to Advanced (Udemy.com)

Start learning chords, songs, fingerpicking and easy fingerstyle guitar instantly with these step by step video lessons.

Created by: Adam Rafferty

Last updated June 2020

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What you will learn

  • You’ll learn basics such as how to hold the guitar, how to tune your guitar and the names of the strings
  • You’ll learn proper right and left hand techniques
  • You’ll learn how to finger pick with the right hand, keeping thumb & fingers independent
  • You’ll learn how to play basic chords with ease
  • You’ll learn how to read tablature
  • You'll learn how to read chord diagrams
  • You’ll get tips for buying your first guitar
  • You’ll get my 11 essential fingerpicking exercises for the right hand
  • You’ll learn to play the percussion groove, bass line, chords for “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
  • You’ll learn to play a complete solo guitar version of “Silent Night”
  • You’ll learn to play an easy fingerstyle blues in the Chet Atkins “boom-chick” Travis thumb picking style
  • You’ll learn percussive “groove slap” techniques to enhance your groove

How it compares

Against the other 183 rated Udemy courses in Guitar on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.6 out of 5higher than 46% of them
  • Reviews903#18 of 184 by number of reviews
  • Length8.3 hourslonger than 83% of them
  • Last updatedJune 2020earlier than 56% of them

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Course Description

Want to learn the basics of fingerstyle guitar quickly and easily?


Start playing fingerstyle guitar in just minutes...

In this course, you will learn the basics of playing fingerstyle guitar. We’ll start at the absolute beginning and go STEP by STEP in a relaxed way so that you get a solid and confident foundation to your playing.

You’ll learn to play great sounding songs on the guitar complete with melody, bass and chords, all at the same time!

And, if you like to sing and play guitar at the same time, these great fingerpicking patterns and techniques will add variety and spice to your guitar playing and singing.


Your friends and family will be amazed when they hear and see your new guitar skills!

After learning the basics in this course you’ll be ready to play fingerstyle guitar, jam with other musicians, and maybe even perform in front of an audience!


What makes me qualified to teach you?

My name is Adam Rafferty and I’ve been playing guitar for 45 years. For the last 13 years I have played thousands of concerts worldwide and my YouTube videos have gotten over 20 million views. I’ve taught thousands of happy students who say things like…


“Adam is a great teacher! He makes you feel like you can really learn and play these songs. He gives you all the tools needed right on his instructional videos. Thank you Adam, for making these great videos to teach all of us who really love music!” - Jeff B


“Thank you, Adam for helping me become a far better and more polished guitar player. I thank you for all your hard work for us to become better guitar players and people. Keep pickin’!” - Jason C


My promise to you.

I am here 100% to support you every step of the way. If you get stuck or have any questions you can send me a direct message or post a question in the course.

I want to make sure that you are getting the absolute best fingerstyle guitar instruction available today. If there’s any way I can improve the course please let me know and I’ll do my best to fulfill your wishes.


What is this fingerstyle guitar course all about?

In this complete beginner’s course, you’ll learn how to play chords, fingerpicking patterns and even play complete songs on the guitar with melody, bass and chords at the same time.

You’ll experience endless joyful hours of making music - playing your favorite songs on guitar.


This course will cover everything you need to know to start playing fingerstyle guitar including:

  • Proper playing posture

  • Correct technique for both hands

  • Reading tablature and chord diagrams

  • Basic chords

  • Fingerpicking patterns

  • Playing melody bass and chords at the same time

  • Percussive slap techniques

  • How to create your own arrangements

  • And more...


By the end of this course, you'll have  gained confidence playing fingerstyle picking patterns with basic chords. Additionally, you will be able to play 3 great fingerstyle guitar pieces!


Go ahead and click the enroll button and I’ll see you in Lesson 1!


“If you are ready to take your fingerstyle playing to the next level, then Adam Rafferty’s lessons are for you. The songs are beautifully put together, and taught in bite size pieces that enable one to progress towards learning the entire song. Adam’s teaching style is such that it feels as if he is sitting in the room with you, walking you through the piece. I highly recommend these videos, it’s helped take my playing ability to a higher level.” - Tim S.

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Instructor Details

Adam Rafferty

Greetings!  It is my pleasure and joy to help YOU become a better guitar player.

My name is Adam and I am a touring fingerstyle guitar player.  I've played hundreds of festivals and taught workshops worldwide, and my YouTube guitar channel has over 20 million views.

I've also produced 5 guitar instructional DVDs, 5 solo guitar CDs, written 2 books and been featured in many guitar magazines.  I even have my own online fingerstyle guitar academy called "Study With Adam."


I hope you enjoy my courses here - and if you have any questions feel free to just message or email me.  

Groove on!

- Adam

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Reviews

4.6

903 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

By LouCh C on 1/10/2026

The transition from basic to arranging could have been more gradual. More tips about finding the melody for the begiiner could help to get to this stage.The advanced material was a bit over-my-head but I enjoyed his performance.

By Annie Wade on 5/19/2022

I was an absolute beginner when starting this course. Now I am about halfway through the finger style essentials and I practice everyday. I really love how Adam promotes patience and self compassion when learning guitar. I practice each lesson until I know it without thinking about it. I have tried in the past to learn guitar before but the exercises are engaging enough where I don't get impatient or frustrated with the speed of my progress. I am really happy I found this course!

By Steve Louden on 1/23/2021

Adam has a laid back attitude that just keeps you engaged with what he is teaching. He takes his time, so you aren't rushed through the lessons like some other platforms I've used. Entertaining and educational, well worth the money.

By Abhishek Kuriyal on 12/24/2020

To all those who are sceptical of buying this course, IT'S WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY. I am not exaggerating. Adam's fingerstyle arrangements are freaking awesome and so much fun to play. They look hard initially but with thorough practice you can absolutely nail them. Plus he guides you through several different styles like boom chick blues and grooves. You won't find such quality content for this amount of money. Not to mention, Adam is a very accomplished guitarist. He has performed with many great musicians on the planet. Learning through him will be most beneficial. Keep learning and thank you Adam for such lovely course.

By Vince Tarver on 11/15/2020

Very engaging. Not too fast. Would recommend.

By Grdal Bozkurt on 11/1/2020

umut verici, en basit ekilde batan balayp ilerleyeceimi hissettim

By Steven Shaw on 10/20/2020

Basic but good so far.

By Bob on 10/20/2020

Still finding out.

By Alfredo F Salvador on 10/10/2020

yes

By Kuldeepak on 9/27/2020

Very nice Thanks

By Penelope pomeroy on 9/18/2020

It is great so far

By Ruth Olmer on 9/7/2020

It make a lot of fun to follow, cause the explanations are so simple. Love it! Can't wait to continue...

Showing 12 of 118 reviews

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Overall Score : 92 / 100