Learn Fingerpicking & Blues Guitar

Fingerpicking is an essential technique for adding depth and rhythm to your playing. In this course, Simon Kafka guides you through the study of timeless classics, teaching you how to blend accompaniment and melody seamlessly on the guitar.

With a carefully structured progression, you’ll explore the styles of legends like Elizabeth Cotten, Mississippi John Hurt, and Chet Atkins. Each piece introduces a new technique, helping you expand your musical and technical vocabulary naturally and effectively.

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The main concepts taught

Fingerpicking

Thumb bass alternation

Accompaniment and melody integration

Techniques of legendary guitarists

Acoustic blues

Interpretation and expressiveness

The lesson plan proposed by Simon Kafka

Advance step by step with pieces ranked by difficulty and develop a smooth, natural fingerpicking style!

Chapters	Concepts
Fingerpicking	Introduction
Freight Train – Elizabeth Cotten	Objective! Cotten Picking / Travis Picking Learning the chords Thumb technique Hand movements Learning the melody Placing the melody Developing the right hand Orchestration / Variations
Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor – Mississippi John Hurt	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Melody Putting it all together Developing the right hand Orchestration / Variations
I’m Satisfied – Mississippi John Hurt	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Melody Putting it all together Orchestration / Variations
You Gotta Walk That Lonesome Valley – Mississippi John Hurt	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Learning the melody Placing the melody Developing the right hand Orchestration / Variations
Cocaine Blues – Reverend Gary Davis	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Melody Thumb + Melody Orchestration / Variations
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind – Chet Atkins (Drop D)	Objective! Discovering the song Drop D tuning Thumb technique Part A Part B
Fishing Blues – Taj Mahal (Drop D)	Objective! Discovering the song Drop D tuning Thumb technique Song breakdown
Acoustic Blues	Classic blues Thumb patterns The shuffle Adding notes Bass lines Turnaround Improvisation Transposition Let’s play together!
Deep River Blues – Doc Watson	Objective! Discovering the song Breaking down the song Let’s play together!
Mississippi Blues – William Brown	Objective! Discovering the song Breaking down the song Let’s play together!
Ragged and Dirty – William Brown	Objective! Discovering the song Chord progression Thumb technique Breaking down the song Let’s play together!

Lesson plan

Chapters	Concepts
Fingerpicking	Introduction
Freight Train – Elizabeth Cotten	Objective! Cotten Picking / Travis Picking Learning the chords Thumb technique Hand movements Learning the melody Placing the melody Developing the right hand Orchestration / Variations
Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor – Mississippi John Hurt	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Melody Putting it all together Developing the right hand Orchestration / Variations
I’m Satisfied – Mississippi John Hurt	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Melody Putting it all together Orchestration / Variations
You Gotta Walk That Lonesome Valley – Mississippi John Hurt	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Learning the melody Placing the melody Developing the right hand Orchestration / Variations
Cocaine Blues – Reverend Gary Davis	Objective! Discovering the song Chords Thumb technique Melody Thumb + Melody Orchestration / Variations
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind – Chet Atkins (Drop D)	Objective! Discovering the song Drop D tuning Thumb technique Part A Part B
Fishing Blues – Taj Mahal (Drop D)	Objective! Discovering the song Drop D tuning Thumb technique Song breakdown
Acoustic Blues	Classic blues Thumb patterns The shuffle Adding notes Bass lines Turnaround Improvisation Transposition Let’s play together!
Deep River Blues – Doc Watson	Objective! Discovering the song Breaking down the song Let’s play together!
Mississippi Blues – William Brown	Objective! Discovering the song Breaking down the song Let’s play together!
Ragged and Dirty – William Brown	Objective! Discovering the song Chord progression Thumb technique Breaking down the song Let’s play together!

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A word from your teacher

This course is perfect for guitarists looking to start or refine their fingerpicking skills. By gradually working through iconic pieces, students build both technique and musicality with structured and engaging guidance.