20 Easy Fingerpicking Songs for Beginners (with Tabs)

Fingerpicking is one of the most beautiful sounds on guitar - and it is easier to start than most people think. Instead of strumming all the strings at once, you pluck a few strings one at a time with your thumb and fingers. The result sounds rich and gentle, like two players in one.

This guide gives you 20 easy fingerpicking songs, grouped from easiest to a little harder. But first, we will teach you three simple picking patterns with plain tabs. Learn those, and you can play almost every song on this list. No music reading needed.

How to read the tabs below: The six lines are your strings (top = thin high e, bottom = thick low E). A number is the fret to press; 0 means an open string. Read left to right. The letters p i m a are your picking-hand fingers (see the next section).

In fingerpicking, each finger of your picking hand has a job. The simple labels are:

•     p = thumb - plays the low bass strings (E, A, D).

•     i = index finger - plays the G string.

•     m = middle finger - plays the B string.

•     a = ring finger - plays the high e string.

Your thumb keeps the beat on the low strings while your fingers add the higher notes. That is the whole secret.

Learn these three patterns slowly. Once they feel smooth, you can drop them onto the chords of dozens of songs.

Pattern 1: The basic roll (start here)

Play one string at a time, low to high: thumb, then index, middle, ring. Here it is on a C chord:

e|-----------0--| B|--------1-----| G|-----0--------| D|--2-----------| A|--------------| E|--------------|    p  i  m  a
	Tip: Keep it slow and even. A steady, gentle roll sounds better than a fast, uneven one.

Pattern 2: The pinch

Start by plucking the bass note and the high string together (a soft pinch with thumb and ring finger), then fill in the middle strings. Great for slow, emotional songs.

e|--0-----------| B|--------1-----| G|-----0--------| D|--------------| A|--0-----------| E|--------------|    p+a  i  m

Pattern 3: Travis picking (the next step)

Your thumb alternates between two bass strings on the beat while your fingers add notes in between. This is the sound behind countless folk and pop songs. Here is the idea on a G chord:

e|----------------| B|--------0-------| G|------0-----0---| D|----------------| A|--2-------2-----| E|3-------3-------|   p   i  p  m   (thumb bounces between E and A)
	Tip: Practice just the thumb first, bouncing between two strings, until it runs on autopilot. Then add the fingers.

1.   Pick a song and learn its chords first (just hold and switch them, no picking yet).

2.   Choose one pattern above.

3.   Play the pattern slowly over the first chord, then over each chord change.

4.   Speed up only when it feels smooth. Clean and slow beats fast and messy.

These use a simple thumb-and-finger pattern, slow tempos, and easy chords. Perfect first picks.

Song & artist	Chords	Technique	Beginner tip
We're Going to Be Friends - The White Stripes	G, C, D	Thumb + 1 finger	The whole song is thumb and one finger taking turns. A perfect first song.
Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers	Am, Em, G, Dm	Pattern 1 roll	Slow blues in A minor. Easy to play and sing at the same time.
A Horse with No Name - America	Em, D (simplified)	Thumb + roll	Two easy shapes on repeat. Very relaxing to play.
Feelin' Groovy (59th St Bridge) - Simon & Garfunkel	C, G, Am7, G (capo 3)	Pattern 1 roll	Same four chords loop the whole song. Use a capo on fret 3.
Love Me Do - The Beatles	G, C, D	Thumb + roll	Simple chords and a steady beat. Great for building confidence.

These flow beautifully using the basic roll (Pattern 1). Learn the chords, then let the pattern carry the song.

Song & artist	Chords	Technique	Beginner tip
House of the Rising Sun - The Animals	Am, C, D, F, E	Pattern 1 roll (6/8)	A classic picked song. The rolling pattern fits it perfectly.
Stand By Me - Ben E. King	G, Em, C, D	Pattern 1 roll	Slow and smooth - ideal for clean, even picking.
Time of Your Life - Green Day	G, C, D, Em	Pattern 1 roll	Already a picked song. Simple chords, gentle pattern.
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen	C, G, Am, F	Pattern 1 / pinch	Beautiful and slow. Perfect for the pinch pattern.
The Scientist - Coldplay	Dm, Bb, F, C (capo)	Pattern 1 / pinch	Emotional and repetitive. A great song to feel the picking groove.
Nothing Else Matters (intro) - Metallica	Em	Open-string picking	The famous intro uses open strings - simpler than it sounds.
Let Her Go - Passenger	Em, C, G, D, Am	Pattern 1 roll	Modern favorite built entirely on a rolling picking pattern.

These use Travis picking or quicker patterns. Take them slowly once the songs above feel easy.

Song & artist	Chords	Technique	Beginner tip
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac	C, G, Am, F (capo 3)	Travis picking	The classic gentle Travis-picking song. Master the thumb first.
As Tears Go By - The Rolling Stones	G, A, C, D, Em	Pattern 1, faster	Start slow with T-i-m-a, then play the pattern twice per chord.
Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's	D, F#m, Bm, G, A	Pattern 1 roll	A steady picked pattern over the same chord loop the whole song.
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman	C, G, Em, D	Riff + picking	The famous riff is picked. Learn it in small pieces.
Wish You Were Here (intro) - Pink Floyd	Em, G, A, C, D	Picking + bends	The intro is iconic and mostly picked. Start with the first phrase.

You will see these on every list. They sound amazing, but they need more finger independence. Treat them as goals, and start with the intro or first few bars.

Song & artist	Chords	Technique	Beginner tip
Blackbird - The Beatles	G, Am, C, D	Thumb + fingers together	Beautiful, but the hand coordination is tricky. Learn it in tiny chunks.
Dust in the Wind - Kansas	C, Am (Travis)	Travis picking, fast	Often called a beginner song, but it is hard up to speed. Start slow.
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton	A, E, F#m, D	Travis + melody	Gorgeous, but it mixes picking with melody notes. A worthy goal.

•     Learn the chords first. Get the chord changes smooth by strumming before you add picking.

•     Start with the thumb. Get your thumb keeping the beat on the bass strings, then add fingers.

•     Go slow with a steady beat. Evenness matters more than speed. A metronome helps.

•     Practice a little every day. Ten focused minutes daily builds the habit faster than long, rare sessions.

Building finger strength and independence makes everything easier. Our guitar finger exercises guide has simple daily drills that pair perfectly with these songs.

Fingerpicking feels best on a comfortable acoustic with low, easy string height (action) and enough room between the strings for your fingers. Smaller bodies like Concert and Auditorium shapes are popular with fingerstyle players because they are clear, balanced, and easy to hold.

Timberline's Concert and Auditorium 6-string guitars are all-solid-wood and set up for easy playability, which makes picking patterns feel smooth. Not sure whether to pick or strum? See our guide on fingerpicking vs flatpicking. You can also watch real fingerstyle players on the Timberline artist page for inspiration.

What is the easiest fingerpicking song for beginners?

"We're Going to Be Friends" by The White Stripes is one of the easiest. The whole song uses just your thumb and one finger taking turns, over simple chords.

How long does it take to learn fingerpicking?

Most beginners can play a simple picked song within a week or two of daily practice. Smooth, faster patterns like Travis picking take a few more weeks - that is completely normal.

Do I need long nails to fingerpick?

No. You can fingerpick with your fingertips. Some players grow short nails on the picking hand for a brighter sound, but it is optional - start with what feels comfortable.

Should I learn to strum before fingerpicking?

It helps. Getting comfortable holding and changing chords first means you can focus on the picking hand instead of chasing chord shapes. But you can start fingerpicking early too.

Is fingerpicking harder than strumming?

It is different, not necessarily harder. Strumming keeps the rhythm in one hand; fingerpicking spreads the work across your thumb and fingers. Start slow and it comes quickly.

Can I fingerpick on any guitar?

Yes. Any acoustic or electric works. A guitar with low action and comfortable string spacing - like a Concert or Auditorium acoustic - makes it easier and more enjoyable.

Fingerpicking sounds advanced, but it starts with one simple pattern and one easy song. Learn the basic roll, pick a song from the first group above, and take it slowly. Within a week you will have a beautiful piece you can play any time - and a skill that grows with you.

Ready to make every pattern feel smoother? Explore the Timberline 6-string collection and find a comfortable acoustic built for fingerstyle.