ogguls
Verified buyer
12/01/25
I like it. I'm working on it.
Hands-On Fingerstyle, Vol. 1
20 Jump Start Fingerstyle Techniques
Get this course and 1,000+ more with All Access
Try 14 days free. Cancel any time.
About this course
Learning to play fingerstyle guitar is usually intimidating for anyone considering taking those first steps. It's like learning a new language - balancing melody, rhythm, and harmony, all on one instrument simultaneously. Dave Isaacs’s Volume 1 of his widely acclaimed Hands-On Fingerstyle method will Jump Start one of the most rewarding journeys of your guitar-learning life!
If you’ve tried other methods or aren’t confident that you can learn how to play Fingerstyle, this is the ideal method for you. Ask any of the thousands of fingerstyle players who felt just like you and they’ll tell you exactly the same thing. Follow the order of Dave’s bite-size Jump Start lessons, and witness yourself just how effective, fast, and fun this method really is.
”Whether you're a near-beginner or an experienced player looking to learn something new, I’ve designed this step-by-step collection of 20 bite-sized lessons to jump-start your exploration of the world of fingerstyle.
As you play your way through the course, I’ll introduce you to essential techniques and mix things to keep you engaged with a tasty selection of different fingerstyle guitar varieties – from folk and blues to classical and contemporary acoustic. Then we’ll practice together using slow motion and looping controls!”
The order and variety of each technique lesson is one of the secret ingredients of Dave’s method. You’ll play through the following Jump Start lesson in this order: The Basic Mechanics: The Pluck, The Basic Mechanics: Rotation, The Basic Mechanics: Rolls, Classical-style Arpeggio Study, Single Notes with Rest Strokes, Quarter Note "p" (Thumb) Bass, Simple A Blues Study, Folk Pick Study, Single Notes with Free Strokes, Introducing Double Thumb, Bass-strum with Thumb & Fingers, Introducing the "a" (Ring) Finger, Melody with "i-m" (Index & Middle), Block Chords in G, Simple G Blues Study, Rolls in A Major, A Major Pentatonic Melody, A Folk-blues Picking Study, Block Chord Triad Study, and B Minor Arpeggio Study.
You’ll have TrueFire’s interactive learning tools at your fingertips to personalize your workspace and learn at your own pace.
The demonstrations and performances are tabbed, notated, and synced to the video with controls for looping, slow motion, fretboard animation, and many other tools designed to accelerate the learning process.
Grab your guitar, and let’s get “hands-on fingerstyle” with Dave Isaacs!
If you’ve tried other methods or aren’t confident that you can learn how to play Fingerstyle, this is the ideal method for you. Ask any of the thousands of fingerstyle players who felt just like you and they’ll tell you exactly the same thing. Follow the order of Dave’s bite-size Jump Start lessons, and witness yourself just how effective, fast, and fun this method really is.
”Whether you're a near-beginner or an experienced player looking to learn something new, I’ve designed this step-by-step collection of 20 bite-sized lessons to jump-start your exploration of the world of fingerstyle.
As you play your way through the course, I’ll introduce you to essential techniques and mix things to keep you engaged with a tasty selection of different fingerstyle guitar varieties – from folk and blues to classical and contemporary acoustic. Then we’ll practice together using slow motion and looping controls!”
The order and variety of each technique lesson is one of the secret ingredients of Dave’s method. You’ll play through the following Jump Start lesson in this order: The Basic Mechanics: The Pluck, The Basic Mechanics: Rotation, The Basic Mechanics: Rolls, Classical-style Arpeggio Study, Single Notes with Rest Strokes, Quarter Note "p" (Thumb) Bass, Simple A Blues Study, Folk Pick Study, Single Notes with Free Strokes, Introducing Double Thumb, Bass-strum with Thumb & Fingers, Introducing the "a" (Ring) Finger, Melody with "i-m" (Index & Middle), Block Chords in G, Simple G Blues Study, Rolls in A Major, A Major Pentatonic Melody, A Folk-blues Picking Study, Block Chord Triad Study, and B Minor Arpeggio Study.
You’ll have TrueFire’s interactive learning tools at your fingertips to personalize your workspace and learn at your own pace.
The demonstrations and performances are tabbed, notated, and synced to the video with controls for looping, slow motion, fretboard animation, and many other tools designed to accelerate the learning process.
Grab your guitar, and let’s get “hands-on fingerstyle” with Dave Isaacs!
What you'll learn
- Understand hand rotation as the primary mechanic for both picking and strumming
- Control dynamics by leaning into the bass notes
- Understanding the scope and structure of the fingerstyle course
- Understanding that fingerstyle spans multiple genres
- Familiarity with TrueFire's learning tools for self-paced study
Release date: 02/08/2024 • 2h 33m runtime
Sample lessons
Folk Pick Study
Demonstration of Lesson 8
Bass-strum with Thumb & Fingers
Demonstration of Lesson 11
Melody with "i-m" (Index & Middle)
Demonstration of Lesson 13
What's included
22 lessons • 20 charts
Hands-On Fingerstyle, Vol. 1
Hey, I'm Dave Isaacs and welcome to Hands-on Fingerstyle.
Learning to play fingerstyle guitar can be a bit intimidating. It's like learning a new language - balancing melody, rhythm, and harmony all on one instrument, all at once. Nevertheless, if you take it one step at a time, it will be one of the most rewarding journeys of your life.
Whether you're a near-beginner, or an experienced player looking to learn something new, I’ve designed this step-by-step collection of 20 bite-sized lessons to jump start your exploration of the world of fingerstyle.
As you play your way through the course, I’ll introduce you to essential techniques and a taste of some of the different varieties of fingerstyle guitar – from folk and blues to classical and contemporary acoustic.
Working with TrueFire's suite of cutting edge learning tools like synchronized tab, looping, and slow-mo, you’ll learn at your own pace.
Remember, learning an instrument is an ongoing process. It's about expressing yourself and finding joy in the experience. So, grab your guitar, and let’s get your "Hands-on Fingerstyle".
Learning to play fingerstyle guitar can be a bit intimidating. It's like learning a new language - balancing melody, rhythm, and harmony all on one instrument, all at once. Nevertheless, if you take it one step at a time, it will be one of the most rewarding journeys of your life.
Whether you're a near-beginner, or an experienced player looking to learn something new, I’ve designed this step-by-step collection of 20 bite-sized lessons to jump start your exploration of the world of fingerstyle.
As you play your way through the course, I’ll introduce you to essential techniques and a taste of some of the different varieties of fingerstyle guitar – from folk and blues to classical and contemporary acoustic.
Working with TrueFire's suite of cutting edge learning tools like synchronized tab, looping, and slow-mo, you’ll learn at your own pace.
Remember, learning an instrument is an ongoing process. It's about expressing yourself and finding joy in the experience. So, grab your guitar, and let’s get your "Hands-on Fingerstyle".
The Basic Mechanics: The Pluck
In this lesson, we will explore the fundamental technique of plucking a guitar string. We'll discuss the importance of understanding the string's cylindrical shape and how it affects our plucking technique, known as a free stroke. Emphasis is placed on maintaining a relaxed, neutral hand position and developing a tactile sense with the picking hand to enhance spatial awareness. The lesson includes a practical exercise to practice alternating between the index and middle fingers, focusing on forward-thinking and integrating whole-arm movement for precision and relaxation. By the end of this lesson, you will have a deeper understanding of the nuances in plucking a guitar string and the essential skills to improve your playing technique.
The Basic Mechanics: Rotation
In this lesson, we will explore the basics of using the right-hand thumb in classical guitar playing. We'll learn the classical guitar terminology for the fingers, focusing on 'P' (thumb), 'I' (index), and 'M' (middle). The lesson will demonstrate the alternating thumb and finger technique, emphasizing the natural opposing movement of the thumb and fingers. This technique is essential for developing a relaxed, accurate, and controlled approach to guitar playing. The lesson includes exercises to practice this technique, encouraging slow, steady tempos to build a strong foundation for future skill development. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of right-hand thumb usage and the fundamentals of classical guitar finger positioning and movement.
The Basic Mechanics: Rolls
In this lesson, we will delve into the 'roll' technique in classical guitar, which involves a sequential movement of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. We'll practice this technique using simple chord progressions like the A minor, E minor triad, D7, and E7. The lesson emphasizes the importance of using the weight of the arm to produce sound, rather than relying solely on the fingers. This approach enhances not only the ease of playing but also the tone quality. We'll also explore how integrating the entire body, from the fingers to the shoulders and neck, contributes to a fluid and balanced guitar technique. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a foundational understanding of the 'roll' technique and its application in playing various chords, paving the way for more advanced guitar skills.
Classical-style Arpeggio Study
In this lesson, we will explore advanced techniques in P I M rolls, focusing on increasing speed while maintaining fluidity and precision. We will practice these rolls with two chords, A minor and E, using a classical approach that emphasizes the efficiency and simplicity of fingerstyle playing. The lesson highlights the importance of understanding that only a few notes are necessary to form chords like A minor and E. By practicing with both two-finger and more familiar forms of these chords, you'll learn to play more efficiently and smoothly. The lesson also stresses the value of slow practice with deliberate pauses, allowing for relaxation and reset of the hand. By the end of this lesson, you'll have enhanced your ability to perform continuous rolls at a faster pace and will have a deeper understanding of efficient chord formations in classical guitar playing.
Single Notes with Rest Strokes
In this lesson, we will explore the rest stroke technique, a key alternative to the free stroke in classical guitar playing. This technique involves a distinct hand position and movement, where the finger comes to rest on the adjacent string. Emphasis is placed on the gentle landing of the finger without pushing or applying pressure. We will practice alternating rest strokes with the index and middle fingers, adjusting hand positions as necessary for comfortable reach. The lesson includes a simple scale exercise to help develop this technique, with a focus on right-hand preparation and understanding the mechanics of each finger movement. By the end of this lesson, you'll have gained a deeper understanding of the rest stroke and its application in playing scales and melodies on the guitar.
Quarter Note "p" (Thumb) Bass
In this lesson, we will explore the intricacies of fingerstyle guitar playing, drawing parallels between guitar and piano techniques. We'll focus on using the thumb to play bass lines, emphasizing the importance of hand mechanics and anatomy for effective and relaxed playing. The lesson covers a scale exercise to practice thumb strokes, highlighting the need to roll off the thumb, release tension after each stroke, and maintain a natural range of motion. We will also delve into the sensation and body awareness necessary for a relaxed rhythm. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a deeper understanding of fingerstyle guitar playing, particularly the role of the thumb, and how to maintain a balanced and comfortable playing technique.
+ 15 more lessons
Reviews
20 results
jrangel566
Verified buyer
11/16/25
Great Class by an outstanding Instructor
Great class by David Isaacs. He teaches in a calm, deliberate tone. This course has laid a good foundation for proceeding to learn more techniques finger style in the next two volumes.
Joe G.
05/25/25
Dave Isaacs rules! Gives the student solid, well-paced confidence.
I love Dave Isaacs. He gets into the physicality of playing, and crucial details that you could study other teachers for years and never get to. His solid, confident, step-by-step pace carries a spirit of positivity and confidence to the student.
merrilles
Verified buyer
03/10/25
Fingerstyle at its best
One the best fingerstyle teachers and players.
Peter
02/08/25
great intro to fingerstyle
I've been playing guitar for 25 years casually and wanted to pick up some fingerstyle. This course is great because it makes you slow down, listen to your hand and fingers, and get good on simple fingerstyle. Can't wait for course 2
Stop searching. Start improving with All Access.
Try 14 days free. Cancel any time.
