Do you want to learn how to play fingerstyle guitar?
Fingerpicking is a great way to add variety and texture to your playing. It’s also a lot of fun! Fingerstyle guitar can be used to play various music styles, from country and folk to rock and blues. In this article, we will look at some of the best fingerpicking songs ever written.
We’ll cover everything from blues tunes like “Dust My Broom” by Elmore James and “Stormy Monday Blues” by T-Bone Walker, all the way up through modern hits like “Blackbird” by The Beatles and “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel.
There are so many great guitar songs out there that it was hard narrowing down our list – but here they are!
So if you want to learn how to play these fantastic Guitar songs on your instrument, check out our list below! And don’t forget – practice makes perfect!
Beginner Fingerpicking Songs
If you are new to guitar fingerpicking pattern, we have hand-picked some easy Fingerpicking songs for you:
1. Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
The perfect addition to any music lover’s collection, Jeff Buckley’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is a must-have for someone looking for easy fingerpicking songs. Buckley’s rendition will be treasured for years to come, capturing all the emotion and beauty of the original song.
Whether you are an experienced guitar player or just starting, this version of Hallelujah is a great way to hone your fingerpicking skills. It’s also not too difficult to learn with the right amount of practice!
2. Jumping Over Rocks – Tony Rice
Tony Rice is widely regarded as one of the most talented acoustic guitar players on the planet. Having won many awards and has toured with some of the biggest names in bluegrass, Rice is a true master of his craft.
These type of guitar songs are an excellent way to improve your fingerpicking as it requires you to play notes on more than one string simultaneously. The result sounds great once you get it down, so don’t give up if it takes a little while to get the hang of it!
3. The Water is Wide – James Taylor
James Taylor is one of those singer-songwriters who seems to have been around forever. While he has covered a wide range of different music styles over the years, his early work is often considered some of his best.
This song, originally written by Scottish folk singer-songwriter Dick Gaughan, is a beautiful song that is perfect for beginners. If you want to add some variety and texture to your playing, this song is the way to go!
4. The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
This classic Simon & Garfunkel song is a great way to end our list of beginner-level fingerpicking songs. Originally written by Paul Simon, The Boxer tells the story of a man who has been beaten down by life but has come out stronger on the other side.
It’s a great song for beginner guitarists because it adds in some more advanced techniques, such as hammer-ons and pull-offs, while still being relatively straightforward to learn. There have been many cover versions of this song over the years, but Simon & Garfunkel’s original is still the best!
5. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was one of the most famous rock bands in history. They became well-known for combining blues and folk with hard rock, highly influential on modern music. They are still known today as one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time.
This song by Led Zeppelin is an excellent example of their iconic sound. It uses a combination of a fingerpicking pattern with a picking pattern that makes it perfect for guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills.
It’s not too challenging but would suit beginner to intermediate guitar players. It will help you improve your timing and accuracy, as well as your fingerpicking skills!
6. Layla – Eric Clapton
Initially written by Derek and the Dominos, Layla is one of Eric Clapton’s most famous fingerstyle songs. While it may be a little more complex than some of the other songs on this list, it is well worth the effort if you are an experienced guitar player.
This fingerpicking song features a lot of advanced techniques, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and string bending. However, that doesn’t mean those of us who are just starting can’t learn it! With a little bit of practice and patience, you could be playing this song in no time at all!
Intermediate Fingerpicking Songs
7. Dust My Broom – Elmore James
Elmore “Blind” James was one of the most influential blues guitar players of all time. He combined slide guitar techniques with his unique style to create his sound.
Originally written by Robert Johnson, this song is an excellent example of James’s signature sound. It’s a blues classic for intermediate guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking songs skills.
This song is perfect for intermediate guitarists who want to expand their skills and learn some classic blues licks along the way – plus. It’s just a great song!
8. Don’t Think Twice – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is one of the most iconic singer-songwriters of all time. Countless artists have covered his fingerpicking patterns song, and his influence can be heard in the music of all genres.
Initially written by Dylan, this song is a tremendous intermediate-level fingerpicking song. It’s a beautiful song that is easy to learn but still challenges your playing skills.
If you are looking for a song that will really test your fingerpicking abilities, look no further than Don’t Think Twice. It’s a great song that is sure to impress your friends and family!
This song, originally written by Dylan himself, is an excellent example of his early folk work. It’s a beautiful fingerpicking patterns song that is great for intermediate guitar players.
All sorts of iconic riffs and licks in this song will test your skills; however, if you stick with it and keep practicing, it’s well worth the effort!
9. The Water is Wide – Steeleye
Steeleye Span was a British folk-rock band that began in 1969. Their most commercially successful album, All Around My Hat, was released in 1975 and reached #3 on the UK charts – making it one of the most popular folk albums. This song is an excellent example of their classic sound.
It is a fun folk song perfect for beginner to intermediate guitar players. It’s a great tune if you want to improve your fingerpicking skills while still playing something new and exciting!
Advanced Fingerpicking Songs
10. All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most iconic guitar players in history. He was a master of blues, rock, and jazz, and his influence is still felt today.
This song, originally written by Bob Dylan, is an excellent example of Hendrix’s signature style. It’s a rock classic perfect for advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills.
This song is a real challenge – it contains many fast licks and riffs that will test even the most experienced guitarists. However, if you can master it, you will have a real show-stopper in your repertoire!
11. Blackbird – The Beatles
The Beatles were one of the most popular and influential rock bands. They wrote and recorded some of the most popular music of the 20th century, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
It is one of their most famous fingerpicking style songs. It’s a beautiful finger-picking piece that contains all sorts of exciting licks and riffs that are great for intermediate to advanced guitar players.
This song is a fast and challenging tune; it will test your playing skills. However, if you can manage to master it, you will have a song that is sure to impress your friends and family!
12. The House of the Rising Sun – The Animals
The Animals were a British rock band that was popular in the 1960s. Initially written by American folk singer Alan Price, this song is an excellent example of their classic sound.
This song is perfect for intermediate to advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills. It is among advanced fingerpicking songs that contain lots of licks and riffs, but if you work hard, it will be well worth the effort!
13. Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is one of the most popular and renowned guitarists in history. He is a master of blues, rock, and jazz, and his influence is still felt today.
This song, written initially by Clapton himself, is an excellent example of his early work. It’s a beautiful ballad perfect for advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills.
Tears in Heaven is among a few iconic acoustic guitars song with complex picking patterns, legatos, and double-stops. No doubt it is one of the saddest rock songs in rock history meant for experienced guitarist’s repertoire and
14. Come As You Are – Nirvana
Nirvana was one of the most popular and influential rock bands. They wrote and recorded some of the most popular music of the 20th century, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
It is one of their most famous songs. It’s a classic grunge/rock piece with a great bass line and catchy rhythm.
It’s a fun, challenging song that would work well for experienced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills. If you can manage to master it, it will be an impressive addition to your repertoire!
15. Eleanor Rigby – The Beatles
The Beatles were one of the most popular and influential rock bands. They wrote and recorded some of the most popular music of the 20th century, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
Originally written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon/McCartney, this song is an excellent example of the Beatles’ signature sound. It’s a beautiful finger-picking piece with lots of interesting licks and riffs that are perfect for advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills.
This song is a real challenge – it’s one of the most challenging Beatles songs to play on guitar. However, if you can master it, you will have an imposing piece in your repertoire!
16. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Green Day
Green Day is one of the most famous rock bands around today. They have been a dominant force in modern music for over two decades, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
Initially written by Billie Joe Armstrong, this song is an excellent example of the band’s signature sound. It’s a beautiful ballad with a great melody and chord progression.
It’s a challenging song that would work well for experienced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills. If you can manage to master it, it will be an impressive addition to your repertoire!
17. Layla – Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton was one of the most famous guitarists of all time. He was one of the most successful musicians during his prime, and he influenced generations of guitar players.
This song is a classic rock piece with a fantastic melody and chord progression. It’s perfect for any guitarist – there are lots of impressive riffs and licks that make it great for beginners and experienced players.
This song is a great challenge that will improve your skills and add diversity to your repertoire. It will be well worth the effort if you can manage to master it!
18. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
Green Day is one of the most famous rock bands around today. They have been a dominant force in modern music for over two decades, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
Initially written by Billie Joe Armstrong, this song is an excellent example of the band’s signature sound. It’s a beautiful ballad with a great melody and chord progression.
It’s a challenging song that would work well for experienced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills. If you can manage to master it, it will be an impressive addition to your repertoire!
19. Wonderwall – Oasis
Oasis was one of the most popular and successful rock bands. They wrote and recorded some of the most popular music of the 1990s, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
This song, originally written by Noel Gallagher, is an excellent example of the band’s signature sound. It’s a beautiful ballad with lots of interesting changes and riffs that are perfect for advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills.
It’s a highly challenging song, but it will be well worth the effort if you can manage to master it!
20. Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons are one of the most famous rock bands around today. They have been a dominant force in modern music for over a decade, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
This song, which Marcus Mumford initially wrote, is perfect for any guitarist – there are lots of impressive riffs and licks that make it great for beginners and experienced players.
It’s a great challenge to improve your skills and add some diversity to your repertoire. It will be well worth the effort if you can manage to master it!
21. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Queen was one of the most popular and successful rock bands. They wrote and recorded some of the most popular music of the 1970s, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
Initially written by Freddie Mercury, this song is an excellent example of the band’s signature sound. It’s full of interesting changes, riffs, and licks that make it perfect for advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking songs skills.
It’s a challenging song, but it will be well worth the effort if you can manage to master it!
22. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
AC/DC is one of the most famous rock bands around today. They have been a dominant force in modern music for over 40 years, and their influence can still be heard in modern music.
Initially written by Angus Young and Malcolm Young, this fingerpicking song is an excellent example of the band’s signature sound. It has a combination of incredible riffs and licks that make it perfect for any guitarist – there are lots of special sections that make it great for beginners and experienced players.
It’s a challenging song, but it will be well worth the effort if you can manage to master it!
As you can see, there are plenty of great fingerpicking songs out there that are perfect for intermediate to advanced guitar players. If you want to improve your skills, these songs are great to start. Work hard and practice regularly, and you will be able to master these challenging songs soon enough!
23. The Boxer – Simon and Garfunkel (Repeated)
Simon and Garfunkel were some of the most famous folk-rock duos of the 1960s. Their incredible songs, which combined Paul Simon’s signature acoustic guitar playing with Art Garfunkel’s soaring vocals, significantly influenced modern music.
This song by Simon and Garfunkel, initially written by Paul Simon, is an excellent example of the duo’s sound. It’s a beautiful ballad with lots of interesting changes and riffs that are perfect for advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills.
It’s a highly challenging song, but it will be well worth the effort if you can manage to master it!
24. Tab Is There Anybody Out There – Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd was a British rock band popular in the 1960s and 70s. They are among a few psychedelic rock bands with iconic legendary sound, which influenced countless acts that came after them.
This song is just one example of the type of music that made them famous. It’s a great song with an exciting guitar line and an upbeat feel.
It is one of the more accessible songs on the list, but it would still be suitable for advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills. It works well for practicing all sorts of advanced techniques, including legatos, rolls, and arpeggios!
Frequently Asked Questions
What fingerstyle song should I learn?
The most famous fingerstyle song is “Hotel California” by The Eagles. It’s a great song, but it’s a little bit harder to play than some other popular songs from the 70s and 80s.
What do I need to learn about Fingerpicking pattern?
5 basic chords, Am, G, Em, C, and D7, are enough to play almost any song.
What kind of guitar do I need for fingerstyle?
Most guitarists would say that an acoustic guitar is best for fingerstyle, but you can also use an electric guitar.
How long will it take me to learn the Fingerpicking pattern?
It depends on how much time you put into it, but most people can learn the basics of fingerstyle within a few weeks.
Is fingerstyle guitar the hardest?
Fingerstyle guitar is not the most complex style of guitar playing, but it takes time to develop the coordination and technique required to play complex fingerstyle songs arrangements.
What are some easy fingerpicking pattern songs?
Some easy fingerpicking songs include “Scarborough Fair,” “The Water Is Wide,” and “Blackbird.”
Is fingerstyle more complex than picking?
Fingerstyle guitar is not more complicated than picking, but it does require a different set of skills.
Can I use a pick with fingerstyle?
Yes, you can use a pick with fingerstyle playing, but most people find that it’s easier to develop the necessary techniques without one.
Conclusion
Fingerstyle guitar is an excellent style of play songs that can add a lot of nuance and complexity to your music. These five songs are a great starting point for intermediate to advanced guitar players who want to improve their fingerpicking skills. Work hard and practice regularly, and you will be able to master these challenging songs soon enough!