Acoustic Fingerstyle
Learn the art of percussive fingerstyle guitar.
Beginner - Intermediate
Want to play like Andy McKee? This class will equip you with a rock-solid foundation for percussive fingerstyle.
3 weeks
Nathaniel will guide you through six extensive sections with step-by-step instruction and daily assignments.
Fingerstyle freedom
By the end of this Master Class, you'll be able to write and arrange your own acoustic fingerstyle compositions.
Take the next step
Once you've mastered fingerstyle, keep progressing with more Master Classes and guided learning paths.
What you'll learn
Join Nathaniel as he breaks down fundamental techniques and advanced concepts that'll help you master fingerstyle.
- Ramp up your rhythm with percussive concepts
- Get a fresh acoustic perspective with open tunings
- Level up with advanced harmonic techniques
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Curriculum
Stay focused with this step-by-step learning program designed by our expert team of music educators.
Your guided learning pathway
In this six-part Master Class, you'll learn fundamental techniques and advanced concepts in fingerstyle guitar.
Fingerstyle Fundamentals
We'll kick off the class by guiding you through what it takes to build a rock-solid foundation for acoustic fingerstyle guitar.
In this section, Nathaniel will break down percussive playing, alternate tunings, and fingerpicking fundamentals.
Advanced Techniques
Now we’re on to the fun stuff. Once you master the fundamentals, it's time to tackle some complex techniques that will make your playing shine.
In Part II, you’ll learn a ton of commonly-used techniques including seven ways to play harmonics and a two-handed tapping technique.
How to Arrange Fingerstyle Songs
Here, we'll call on your new skills from previous sections as Nathaniel shows you how to write and arrange your own fingerstyle songs.
In this section, you’ll use four of Nathaniel's own songs and riffs as case studies to fuel your songwriting.
Part IV. Explain that Video!
Nathaniel's viral guitar jams regularly rack up hundreds of thousands of views. In this section, he'll pull back the curtain on the concepts behind four of his most viral videos.
Part V. Chickin' Pickin' Licks
Ready for a changeup? Here, you'll learn a unique country-fueled hybrid picking technique with 10 ready-to-rip licks by Nathaniel. This section is a ton of fun.
Part VI. SongSquad
Wrap up the class with four original tunes by Nathaniel that put everything you've learned into a purely musical context.
Part I. Fingerstyle Fundamentals
You have to learn to walk before you can run! In this class, we'll start out with the basics.
In Part I, Nathaniel breaks down the foundations of fingerstyle, including alternate tunings and simple one-finger ideas. He'll then ease you into the world of fingerpicking, tapping, and percussive techniques (so you can play like Andy McKee and Michael Hedges).
Throughout this section, Nathaniel will give you creative assignments that you can apply to your regular practice routine.
Part II. Advanced Techniques
Explore the world of embellishments.
In Part II, you'll delve into more advanced techniques. This is where the fun starts. We’re talking all things harmonics: natural, artificial, raked, tapped, slapped, and double. It’s these little flourishes that make Nathaniel such a mind-blowing guitarist.
Use these lessons to add color and complexity to your playing. You don’t have to master them all, just pick a couple techniques you love the sound of, practice them, and incorporate them into your own songs.
Part III. How to Arrange Fingerstyle Songs
Nathaniel shows you how to compose and arrange a song for acoustic guitar.
In Part III, we examine four of his compositions to learn how he combines techniques to compose and arrange a catchy song. Then, we’ll challenge you to use the same methodology to write your own fingerstyle songs.
As Nathaniel walks you through each song, take note of his compositional process and how he combines technique and strong melody to craft catchy songs. This is a shorter section, so it won’t take you much time to complete. As a bonus at the end of this section, you'll learn how play behind-the-nut bends.
Parts IV, V and VI
These last three sections are all about creative applications of your new skills and expanding your vocabulary.
Part IV. Explain that Video!
In Part IV, Nathaniel dissects the riffs and concepts behind four of his most popular Instagram videos. You'll learn a John Mayer-inspired groove, a Travis picking riff, bebop-inspired chords, and ideas for alternative tunings and capo playing. Nathaniel wraps up this section with advice for beginner guitarists.
Part V. Chickin' Pickin' Licks
Hone your hybrid picking skills in Part V. with 10 chickin’ pickin’ licks by Nathaniel. These are an absolute blast to learn and a great place to start if you’re new to this country guitar-fueled technique.
Part VI. SongSquad
To wrap up the class, Nathaniel breaks down four original tunes (called SongSquads) that tie together concepts from previous sections of the class. For each song, there's included TAB and a lesson breakdown video.
REAL students
Don’t take our word for it, take theirs
What guitarists love about this course
FULL REFUND, NO QUESTIONS ASKED
Improve your playing or get your money back
We’re so confident that we can improve your playing that we’re underwriting your membership with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
Your Instructor
Nathaniel Murphy
Level up your fingerstyle skills. Explore acoustic techniques in Nathaniel's Master Class, or dive into his lesson library to find fresh inspiration and breathe new life into your playing.
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Frequently asked questions
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