Learn Fingerstyle Guitar

One truth of guitar is: You’re always learning. New licks, new styles, new songs. This is part of what makes guitar so fun – it’s constant exploration.

Below you’ll find resources to feed your learning curve. Online lessons, YouTube recommendations, and more

Start Here:

These are our top articles and recommendations for finding guitar learning resources:

Explore On Your Own:

There’s a number of guitar lesson sites online that do a great job of providing video-based fingerstyle guitar lessons, usually focused by playing level and style.

Here are a couple places to check out:

1. Tommy Emmanuel's TrueFire Courses

Best for: Learning Tommy Emmanuel’s iconic songs and building a solid 'boom-chick' thumbpick technique.
Why you’ll love it: Tommy Emmanuel is a living legend, and his TrueFire courses break down his complex yet musical style in a way that’s approachable for players eager to emulate his sound.
www.truefire.com/tommy-emmanuel

2. TrueFire's All Access Pass

Best for: Guitarists who want access to a massive library of lessons covering a wide variety of styles and techniques.
Why you’ll love it: TrueFire’s All Access Pass gives you everything—literally. With the JamPlay integration, you’ll have access to lessons from top-tier players like Mike Dawes, Martin Taylor, Trevor Gordon Hall, and Gareth Pearson.
www.truefire.com

3. Tim Lerch’s Guitar Workshop

Best for: Fingerstyle players interested in jazz and blues, who value personalized feedback.
Why you’ll love it: Tim Lerch blends impeccable teaching with a warm sense of community. You’ll not only learn techniques but also get direct feedback and guidance from Tim himself.
TimsGuitarWorkshop.com

4. Adam Rafferty’s StudyWithAdam.com

Best for: Players seeking a groove-oriented approach with bare thumb and fingers.
Why you’ll love it: Adam Rafferty’s lessons focus on groove-heavy arrangements that are as fun to play as they are to learn. His community-based platform also includes opportunities for 1-on-1 coaching.
StudyWithAdam.com

5. Emil Ernebro’s ProGuitar.com

Best for: Thumbpick players wanting to incorporate jazz techniques.
Why you’ll love it: Emil’s detailed breakdowns of thumbpick techniques are rare gems in the guitar world. His lessons combine technical mastery with rich, musical exploration.
ProGuitar.com

6. Will McNicol’s “The College”

Best for: Classical and fingerstyle guitarists seeking a structured and inspiring curriculum.
Why you’ll love it: With Will McNicol's expert guidance, “The College” provides a comprehensive approach to fingerstyle guitar, blending classical techniques with modern arrangements to help you develop a unique playing style.
Will McNicol’s The College

7. Maneli Jamal’s FingerstylePro

Best for: Fingerstyle guitarists aiming to master percussive techniques and intricate compositions.
Why you’ll love it: FingerstylePro offers a deep dive into Maneli Jamal’s signature techniques, perfect for players looking to enhance their fingerpicking skills and add a percussive flair to their playing.
FingerstylePro.com

8. GuitarTricks.com

Best for: Beginners seeking a clear, structured path to learning guitar.
Why you’ll love it: GuitarTricks excels at guiding new players through the basics with a logical progression. If you’re just starting out, this platform is your best bet.
GuitarTricks.com

9. PickupMusic.com

Best for: Exploring diverse styles, including fingerstyle and contemporary genres like neo-soul.
Why you’ll love it: PickupMusic is fun, modern, and versatile. It’s perfect for players who like to mix and match styles and keep their practice fresh.
PickupMusic.com

10. ArtistWorks

Best for: Structured, in-depth lessons with direct feedback from renowned guitar instructors.
Why you’ll love it: ArtistWorks offers a unique learning experience with personalized video feedback from master musicians. It's ideal for players looking for a structured curriculum and professional guidance.
ArtistWorks.com