THE COMPLETE FINGERPICKING GUITAR METHOD with THE BEARDED GUITARIST See The Roadmap
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See The Roadmap
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The Complete Fingerpicking Method

Learn fingerpicking the proper way. From the ground up.

Whether you're new to fingerpicking or already playing it — every technique, in the right order.

Fingerpicking isn't hard — it's just usually taught in pieces, without order or a real system.

Fingerpicking, taught as one connected system.

So it finally clicks.

See how this system works
3:48
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Pay once. Lifetime access.

Most students notice a shift in their playing within the first 2 weeks.

All levels 100+ lessons 20 modules
Students aged 18 to 85. Works for ANY style.
Explore pop, classical, bossa nova, blues, R&B and jazz. Every level — from your first arpeggio to advanced fingerstyle.
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575,000+ followers FURCH Guitar Pro
Verified student comments

Real Students. Real Comments. Unfiltered.

Actual YouTube comments from guitarists learning with my method.

J
@jrvisions

Always love how you structure, build and teach your lessons. Beginners will definitely get a lot from this and even as an intermediate player I enjoyed it as well.

2Reply
E
@erikthompson404

I have made it to lesson 17 in the course… That course is packed with some serious knowledge… I like that your current YouTube videos lock right into your course… The guitar course is a member benefit! It is a real course. The Guitar Pro files are really quite helpful.

4ReplyHearted by the creator
K
@Kpopfusioncentral

This is awesome. The right hand patterns are so helpful when you break them down. Really appreciate it

1ReplyHearted by the creator
H
@hanaleibay6648

Thank you for specific, detailed and very good ideas. What a refreshing change when someone takes the time to show context and technique.

Reply
R
@randallthrockmorton

I love that you emphasized the mirroring and syncopation. Other teachers miss this aspect and it doesn't sound sexy without it.

2ReplyHearted by the creator
A
@adeno3

I've been playing guitar for 38 years, I have developed these techniques over the years, and how I wish I had come across this 38 years ago!! This is absolute GOLD

3ReplyHearted by the creator
D
@donaldwright6191

You explain concepts in a clear and easily digestible manner.

2ReplyHearted by the creator
K
@kb8582

For full arrangements you just have to take the course. I can highly recommend it.

1Reply
S
@secretagent77

You explain this so well, very clear and accurate, thank you. I just picked up a guitar for the first time in many years and you are helping drive my motivation forward.

1Reply
N
@nickowen1480

All this means so much more to me, now that I am doing your course thanks Simone

ReplyHearted by the creator
E
@erikthompson404

Your instruction adds many great theory aspects without diving into the deep end of the pool. The way the information is presented is paced well… With time spent practicing I am progressing noticeably in knowledge and playing.

4ReplyHearted by the creator
B
@bartbraverman5979

The Bearded Guitarist has a unique voice — easy to listen to. He doesn't waste time, and rings a bell with every point. I'm in.

1Reply
A course like no other

You're not stuck. You've just never had a plan.

You've put in the hours. Watched the YouTube videos, tried a bit of Travis picking, maybe some bossa. You probably know more than you give yourself credit for.

But fingerpicking still feels like a guessing game. One video shows you a pattern. Another throws percussion in. Nothing connects — and what you practise today doesn't feed into what you want to play tomorrow.

“I can play a few arpeggios — I just have no idea what I'm actually doing and how to progress.”

That's not a you problem. It's a structure problem. Nobody ever showed you how the pieces fit together, or what to learn in what order.

I built the course I always wished existed — a real method that starts with how you hold your hand and takes you all the way through fingerpicking across every style of music.

Start the journey

Everything in the right order, so what you practise today feeds directly into what you play tomorrow. By the end, you won't be scrolling for the next tutorial — you'll just know how to play.

Proper right-hand technique, finally explained — the PIMA system, rest vs free stroke, and the bad habits to unlearn.
Every core pattern and technique — arpeggios, plucking, percussions, Travis picking and slap-flick, built up step by step.
Applied to every style — bossa nova, R&B, blues, pop, jazz and more.
Understand fingerstyle arrangements — from simple open-chord arrangements to advanced chord melody and solo guitar.
Tab & standard notation on screen for every example — plus downloadable as Guitar Pro and PDF, so you can follow along anywhere.
Inside the course

Everything about fingerpicking, in the right order.

100+
Video lessons
20
Modules, basics to chord melody
Tab + notation
On screen, every lesson
First — we get your hands right

The foundations everything rests on

Most courses skip the foundations. We start where it matters: a picking hand that actually works.

Introduction
Welcome to the course — my story with fingerpicking, how the course works, and how to set up your practice for real results.
4 lessons
Intro 1Welcome & My Journey Across TechniquesIntro 2My Story with Fingerpicking GuitarIntro 3How This Course Works & How to Practice ItIntro 4Useful Tips + Good Habits to Get Started
Fingerpicking Basics
Hand position, the PIMA system, thumb & finger roles, posture, and the bad habits to unlearn.
7 lessons
Lesson 1General Considerations & the PIMA SystemLesson 2First PIMA ExerciseLesson 3Classical vs Modern Positions and TechniquesLesson 4Standing vs Sitting & PostureLesson 5Bad Habits #1: Thumb HookLesson 6Bad Habits #2: ima Position & WristLesson 7Right-Hand Positioning Recap
Then — the complete toolkit

Every fingerpicking technique there is

The full vocabulary, so whatever you hear, you'll have the hands to play it.

Arpeggios
Rest & free strokes, the essential patterns, classical studies like Romance and Malagueña and pop/R&B examples like Closer and Nobody's Wife.
20 lessons
Lesson 8Rest Stroke & Free StrokeLesson 9Classical Warm-Ups + Pattern #1 (Basic Arpeggio)Lesson 10Rhythm Basics: Time Signatures, Subdivisions, TempoLesson 11Thumb Independence (Alternating Thumb Pattern)Lesson 12Thumb Independence + Pinch on 2 & 4Lesson 13Pattern #2 (Forward Arpeggio)Lesson 14Pattern #3 (Reverse Arpeggio)Lesson 15Pattern #4 (Alternating Fingers)Lesson 16Pattern #5 (Moving Bass Line)Lesson 17Static Bass, Moving MelodyLesson 18Pattern #6 (Thumb Bass + ima)Lesson 196/8 Fingerstyle PatternLesson 206/8 ArpeggiosLesson 21Rake Arpeggios (Rolls)Lesson 22Pattern #7 (Let Ring)Lesson 23Simple Arpeggio Arrangements with Open ChordsLesson 24Let Ring: Closer ArpeggioLesson 25RomanceLesson 26MalagueñaLesson 27Nobody’s Wife
Plucking
All plucking combinations, waltz patterns and Natural Woman (Fingerpicking arrangement).
12 lessons
Lesson 28Plucking Arpeggios #1Lesson 29Plucking Arpeggios #2Lesson 30Plucking Arpeggios #3Lesson 31Plucking Arpeggios #4Lesson 32Plucking Arpeggios #5Lesson 33Plucking Arpeggios #6Lesson 34Plucking Arpeggios #7Lesson 35Plucking Arpeggios #8Lesson 363/4 Waltz Bass + Double PluckLesson 37Waltz with Bass, Pluck & MelodyLesson 38Simple Plucking ArrangementsLesson 39Natural Woman Arrangement
Percussion & Thumb Slap
Turn the guitar into a rhythm section — percussive hits and thumb slaps woven into your picking.
6 lessons
Lesson 40Pluck + Percussion Pattern #1Lesson 41Pluck + Percussion Pattern #2Lesson 42Ain’t No SunshineLesson 43Pluck + Percussion + ArpeggiosLesson 44Thumb SlapLesson 45Combining It All (with melody)
Travis Picking
The alternating-thumb technique behind countless classics like Landslide and Dust In The Wind.
9 lessons
Lesson 46Travis Picking IntroductionLesson 47Travis Picking Pattern #1Lesson 48Travis Picking Pattern #2Lesson 49Travis Picking Pattern #3Lesson 50Landslide Pattern 1Lesson 51Landslide Pattern 2Lesson 52Dust in the WindLesson 53Two-Finger Travis with melodyLesson 54Where’s My Love
Fingerpicking Etudes
Short studies that bring it all together — including the iconic intro to Nothing Else Matters.
3 lessons
Lesson 55Simple Fingerpicking Etude #1Lesson 56Simple Fingerpicking Etude #2Lesson 57Nothing Else Matters
Slap-Flick Picking
Modern percussive fingerstyle — behind songs like Stop This Train and Blackbird.
7 lessons
Lesson 58What Is the Slap-Flick PickingLesson 59Slap-Flick Pattern #1Lesson 60Slap-Flick Pattern #2Lesson 61Stop This TrainLesson 62Slap-Flick Pattern #3Lesson 63BlackbirdLesson 64Slap-Flick + Ghost Notes
Other Fingerpicking Techniques
Strumming with fingers: all of the options
3 lessons
Lesson 65Thumb Strums & Ghost NotesLesson 66More Finger-Strumming OptionsLesson 67Nail Upstroke Strum
Palm Muting & More
Palm muting, dynamics, embellishments and ghost notes — the details that make your playing sound musical.
5 lessons
Lesson 68Palm Muting and Travis PickingLesson 69Palm Muting + PercussionLesson 70Dynamics with ExamplesLesson 71EmbellishmentsLesson 72Ghost Notes and More
Finally — real music, your way

Apply it to everything you love

This is where it clicks: full arrangements, every style, and the skill to arrange your own.

Bossa Nova & Samba
The grooves that define Brazilian music.
3 lessons
Lesson 73Bossa Nova Pattern 1Lesson 74Bossa Nova Pattern 2Lesson 75Samba Pattern
R&B Grooves
Neo-Soul fingerpicking with feel, embellishments and pocket.
2 lessons
Lesson 76R&B Fingerpicking Groove 1Lesson 77R&B Groove 2 (Just the Two of Us)
Simple Performance Pieces
Iconic fingerpicking pieces, so you always have something to perform.
3 lessons
Lesson 78Fast CarLesson 79Best PartLesson 80Fragile
Fingerstyle Blues
Acoustic blues and the roots vocabulary every fingerpicker needs.
3 lessons
Lesson 81Fingerstyle BluesLesson 82Delta BluesLesson 83I Don’t Need No Doctor
Walking Bass
Play a moving bass line and chords at the same time — over blues and jazz changes.
2 lessons
Lesson 84Walking Bass: TurnaroundLesson 85Walking Bass: Jazz Blues
Hybrid Picking & Banjo Rolls
Exploring pick and fingers technique combinations.
2 lessons
Lesson 86Dead or AliveLesson 87Banjo Rolls for Guitar
Flamenco & Rumba
The basics of rasgueado and rumba — fiery techniques from the Spanish and Latin tradition.
2 lessons
Lesson 88Basics of RasgueadoLesson 89Basics of Rumba
Advanced Fingerstyle
Chord Melody and Solo Guitar — the heart of advanced fingerstyle.
2 lessons
Lesson 90Misty (Chord Melody)Lesson 91Happy Birthday (Solo Guitar Arrangement)
Fingerstyle Arrangements
My step-by-step process for turning any song into your own solo arrangement. Including Redbone and Isn't She Lovely.
6 lessons
Lesson 92Fingerstyle vs FingerpickingLesson 93Can’t Help Falling in LoveLesson 94While My Guitar Gently Weeps (version 1)Lesson 95While My Guitar Gently Weeps (version 2)Lesson 96RedboneLesson 97Isn’t She Lovely
Final Considerations & Practice Strategies
Where to take your fingerpicking next and how to structure your daily practice.
4 lessons
Lesson 98Fingerpicking Styles & SchoolsLesson 99Practice Strategies: Daily StructureOutro 1Keep learning with meOutro 2Conclusions & What’s Next
Everything you get

A complete system — not a handful of videos.

The full method — step by step, in the right order100+ lessons
Every fingerpicking technique — arpeggios, plucking, percussions, slap-flick and more20 modules
Tab & standard notation on screen — every lesson100+ examples
Guitar Pro & PDF downloads for every exampleIncluded
On-screen close-upsEvery video
Private student community — share your playing, get feedback from meIncluded
Lifetime access & every future lessonForever
One paymentLifetime access No subscription Save $100 — launch price
The Complete Fingerpicking Method
$297
$197Less than $2 per lesson
Get instant access
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Secure 256-bit SSL Encrypted Payment.
Instant Access.
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee. No risk.

Is This Right For You?

This is for you if…

  • You've never played fingerpicking and want to finally understand how it works
  • You can hold a few basic chords and want to finally play real fingerstyle
  • You already play some fingerpicking and want to go to the next level
  • You've been stuck recycling the same patterns off YouTube and want a real path
  • You're intermediate or advanced and want to fill the gaps and go deeper
  • You want to play across styles — and arrange your own pieces one day

This is not for you if…

  • You're looking for a quick trick or shortcut with no practice
  • You've never held a guitar and can't yet play a basic chord
  • You're not willing to put aside a little time most days to practise
  • You only want to play with a pick
See the method in action

Two free preview lessons.

Real lessons from inside the course. On me.

Lesson 26Malagueña
Watch the lesson
8:42

A timeless classical piece. Build the right-hand patterns and let-ring touches that bring this Spanish standard to life.

Lesson 49Travis Picking Pattern #3
Watch the lesson
11:17

The alternating-thumb engine behind countless classics. Lock it in and you're already most of the way to playing real fingerstyle songs.

The transformation

What changes when the pieces finally click.

Here's what students tell me happens once they work through the complete fingerpicking method.

01

You know what to practise

A clear roadmap in the right order. You always know what to work on next — and exactly why it matters.

02

You stop fighting the guitar

The patterns that used to tangle your hands start to feel natural. Less wrestling with the fretboard — and a lot more enjoyment when you sit down to play.

03

Practice feels rewarding again

You sit down with the guitar and hear real progress. Every session moves you forward instead of leaving you stuck on the same thing.

Here Is Everything You Get Today

The Complete Method
100+ video lessons across 20 modules — in the right order.
On-screen Tabs
Guitar Pro & PDF downloads for every example — follow along anywhere.
Exclusive Bonuses
4 exclusive bonuses including the private student community and direct email access to me.
20 Modules. 100+ Lessons. All materials Included.
Today's Price: $197
Enroll today One course · one price

Buy once. Own it forever.

Access the Complete Fingerpicking Guitar Method.

Everything in one place. Organized in the right order.
Nothing fragmented, nothing random.
Every fingerpicking techniqueArpeggios, Travis picking, slap-flick & more100+ lessons
Every genre, every styleBossa nova, R&B, blues, pop, jazz & more20 modules
Bad habits, gone for goodProper posture & hand position from day one
Fingerstyle arrangements (for all levels)
Lifetime access (every future lesson, yours forever)
4 Exclusive Bonuses (see below)
One paymentLifetime access No subscription
The Complete Fingerpicking MethodSave $100
$297
$197Less than $2 per lesson
Get instant access
G Pay VISA AMEX PayPal
Secure 256-bit SSL Encrypted Payment.
Instant Access.
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee. No risk.
Included with the course

Plus 4 exclusive bonuses, yours free.

Everything around the lessons — materials, community, and direct support — so the method actually sticks.

Tab & notation on screen

Every lesson shows tab and standard notation as you play — plus full Guitar Pro & PDF downloads for every single example.

Student favourite
Private student community

Share your playing, ask questions, and get feedback directly from me and other students walking the same path.

Value $499
Direct email access to The Bearded Guitarist

Mentor-level support — email me directly whenever you're stuck. I personally answer every student question.

10% off Guitar Pro

Official Guitar Pro partner discount. The best tab software for practicing along.

Try it risk-free

Your investment is protected three ways.

Three safeguards built in — so the only thing you risk is the time it takes to try.

01 — Money back

The 14-day guarantee

Take the whole course for 14 days. If it isn't the clearest fingerpicking method you've ever tried, email me and I'll refund every penny — no forms, no questions.

02 — Direct support

The personal-support promise

Stuck on a technique? Email me directly — I personally answer every student question. The kind of access you'd expect from private mentorship, included with the course.

03 — Real progress

The 90-day breakthrough promise

The guarantee covers your purchase; this covers your progress. Follow the method for 90 days and still feel stuck? Send me your playing — I'll review it personally and write you a plan. Free.

Your Instructor

Hi, I'm Simone.

I'm a guitarist and content creator based in London, UK, known on social media as The Bearded Guitarist. I've spent over fifteen years teaching private guitar lessons to thousands of students and playing live gigs.

In 2020 I started sharing my lessons on YouTube, and since then I've collaborated with over twenty guitar companies and reached players all over the world, growing a combined following of over 575K followers.

In 2022 I released my first course R&B Neo-Soul Acoustic Guitar, followed by the short course Your First Five Neo-Soul Progressions at the end of 2023.

In The Complete Fingerpicking Guitar Method I've brought together everything I know about fingerpicking guitar into one step-by-step method — so you can play beautiful fingerpicking techniques across multiple styles with confidence and creativity, no matter where you're starting from.

Frequently Asked Questions

Asked & answered.

Is this live, or can I learn at my own pace?
It's fully self-paced. Every lesson is pre-recorded in HD and you get lifetime access — so you learn whenever you like, rewatch as often as you need, and never fall behind.
I can play a few chords but I'm not advanced. Is this for me?
Yes. We start from proper hand position and the PIMA system, so the foundations are all here — then the course keeps building. As long as you can hold a few basic chords, you're ready.
What about intermediate/advanced players?
Intermediate players get a clear path through technique and style clichés — so the pieces finally connect. Advanced players can skip ahead to the deeper material: advanced patterns, bossa nova, R&B grooves, chord melody and solo arrangements.
Do I need to know how to read music?
No, not at all. Every lesson uses on-screen tabs, chord diagrams, and close-up video of both hands — so you can follow along without ever opening a sheet of music.
What guitar do I need?
Any steel-string or nylon-string acoustic works beautifully, and electric is fine too.
Can I download the materials?
Yes. Every example comes with Guitar Pro and PDF downloads — so you can print your tabs, mark them up, and practise away from the screen.
Is it really everything, or just the basics?
It's genuinely complete — over 100 lessons across 20 modules, from your first pluck through Travis picking, slap-flick, bossa nova, R&B, pop classics, blues, jazz and more. All the way to solo guitar arrangements too. It's the course I always wished existed.
Is this a genre-specific course?
No. We'll explore examples from bossa nova, R&B, pop classics, blues, the classical tradition, jazz and more — so you build vocabulary across styles, not just one.
How soon will I notice a difference in my playing?
Most students tell me they feel a shift within the first 2–3 weeks — especially in how they understand why fingerpicking patterns work, not just how to copy them. By the end of module 2 you'll have a real arpeggio foundation, built on the right habits from day one.
I've tried other courses before. Why would this one be different?
Most courses hand you a pile of techniques and hope you can fit them together yourself. This method is built as a single, deliberate sequence: every concept connects directly to the next, in the order the technique actually develops. That's why students consistently tell me it's the first course where everything finally clicked — the order matters as much as the content.
How long will I have access?
Forever. One-time payment, lifetime access to every lesson, every PDF, the private students community, and every new lesson I add — all included free.
Is this a subscription?
No subscription, no recurring charges. One payment of $197 and you own the course for life — every lesson, every PDF, every future update included.
Will the price change?
The regular price is $297. You're getting it today at the launch rate of $197 — I can't guarantee that discount will stay. As the course grows, the price grows with it. Locking it in today protects your access at the launch rate, for life.
What if it's not for me and I don't like it?
You're covered by a 14-day money-back guarantee. If it's not right for you, email me at [email protected] and I'll refund you in full — no questions asked. Plus the personal-support promise: if you follow the method for 90 days and still feel stuck, send me your playing — I'll review it personally and write you a plan. Free.
The complete fingerpicking method

Play the fingerpicking you've always wanted to.

Yes! I want to master
Fingerpicking guitar
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