Finger Picking Lessons for Guitar – Livermore to Benicia

I’ve been teaching guitar in the Bay Area since 1987. For right hand finger picking technique, I like to start students in the first two months on learning how to rely solely on fingers instead of a using pick. I have students like Nico in Livermore whom is self-taught and now working on reading music with me and guitar modes for soloing but he has no idea what right hand finger picking is or when to use it.

Then I have a beginner guitar student, Joe, in Benicia CA that has been taking guitar lessons for 3 months and when I told him – let’s work on the classic Kansas hit “Dust in the Wind,” he was all excited as he knew the lyrics.

The song has all basic open guitar chords, but lots of them. I refined the right hand guitar finger picking technique to pima* per beat in 16th note rhythm meaning for every beat or tap of your foot, you will finger pick four consecutive strings pima. There are some chords that have 3 beats so adjust accordingly.

*In Spanish right hand thumb is known as pulgar or (p). Right hand index is known as India (i). Right hand middle finger is known as media (m), and finally your right hand third finger is known as ring finger annular (a). Thus you have the word pima.

Make sure when learning this classic acoustic rock song, first go slow. I have phrase with my – “tempo de learno” that’s my very broken made up musical term to play slow at first.

Download Dust in The Wind sheet music

Questions & inquiries always appreciated.

Guitar & Banjo Lessons
Livermore to Benicia CA
(925) 695-7060