Gospel Finger Style Guitar Lessons

If you want to learn gospel guitar songs, but don’t like the idea of using a guitar pick, then boy do we have news for you!

In this lesson, we are going to discuss the fundamental basics of finger style gospel guitar playing.

Before we get right into the meat of the lesson, you are going to have to make a decision. This decision can be thought over later if you find yourself struggling with your choice, but it is best to know outright exactly what it is that you want.

The question is whether or not you want to use nails. The answer will subtly alter the way that you play finger style gospel songs. The reason that it is so important to make a choice early on is that you will either have to grow out your nails a small bit and manicure them, or trim them not and close to the flesh of your fingertip.

Keep in mind that nail rips, will pretty rare, aren’t impossible, and they are extremely painful. This is why it is best that you make your decision up front so that you can prepare your desired nature-pick. If you choose to use your fingertips, you will need to spend some time each day strumming open strings with alternate fingering to develop calluses along your fingertips to deaden sensitivity.

Now, once you have made your fingering choice and you have prepared your nails or finger tips, the next step to finger style gospel guitar playing is strumming patterns. 

While some guitarists may be the exception to the rule, the majority do not use their pinky. This is because the pinky is an extremely fragile digit. While many guitarists create their own strumming patterns, the constant is that the thumb as always dedicated to the bass strings, while the forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger are always dedicated to the treble strings.

One of the most common strumming patterns for the treble fingers is forefinger, middle finger, ring finger in alternating order. Another common pattern is forefinger, middle finger, forefinger, ring finger. The purpose of finding your own strumming pattern is for comfort. There is no right or wrong pattern, so long as you employ all three fingers.

When you play gospel finger style guitar pieces, you must pay attention to form. Your picking hand should remain a half inch above the strings at all times, and you should never rest your thumb, palm, or wrist against the guitar. This will decrease mobility and put unnecessary amounts of strain on your fingers.

The final step to learning finger style gospel guitar is practice. Once you have your fingering technique of choice and you have your chosen pattern, you will need to practice daily. Set aside a block of time and dedicate yourself to practicing your techniques with simply songs. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted; your practice time is for practice, so shut out all outside world distractions. This may mean playing in a room without your phone, cellphone, computer, and television. Practice hard, and good luck!

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