The Six String Fingerpicking Method - Preliminary to Grade 8
A clear, inspiring and recognised pathway to becoming a well-rounded guitarist with a specialism in fingerstyle.
What is the Six String Fingerpicking Method?
At its core, The Six String Fingerpicking Method is a clear and inspiring step-by-step pathway designed to develop aspiring guitarists into the fingerstyle players they've always wanted to be.
Whether you are completely new to fingerpicking, new to the guitar altogether, or already have some experience behind you, the Method is designed to guide you from the very fundamentals right through to advanced and accomplished fingerstyle playing. But whilst fingerpicking and fingerstyle guitar will always remain at the heart of the Method, the goal is not simply to develop technique alone. The aim is to help you become a well-rounded musician and guitarist.
Throughout the grades, you will naturally develop a deeper understanding of rhythm, chords, scales, arpeggios, harmony, fretboard knowledge and ear training alongside your fingerstyle playing. After all, the very best fingerstyle guitarists are not simply players with strong technique - they are musicians with a deep understanding of both the instrument and music itself. These areas are introduced gradually and musically throughout the Method so that they never feel overwhelming or out of place. Instead, they work together naturally to strengthen both your playing and your overall musicianship.
Whilst there is never any pressure to do so, you will also have the option of submitting your playing for assessment as you complete the grades. Upon passing, you will receive an official certificate in recognition of your hard work and achievement. This means that rather than simply learning ad hoc songs and exercises, you will always be working towards clear goals, measurable progress and genuine long-term development as a fingerstyle guitarist.
Which grade is right for you?
Are you ready for...
Preliminary Grade
Where your fingerstyle journey begins!
We'll learn essential guitar and musicianship skills so that you won't just be able to fingerpick, but you'll begin on the path to becoming a well-rounded general guitarist.
We'll start with the very basics of how to hold and play the guitar, work through open chords, play some fingerpicking patterns over them, and learn some very simple music theory.
By the end of the Preliminary Grade, you’ll have made the first strides on your fingerstyle journey and established strong foundations in your overall guitar playing.
No previous experience is required. Just a guitar, a willingness to practise, and the desire to improve one step at a time.
ARE YOU READY FOR...
Grade One
You've got the basics covered, now it's time to open up musically.
We'll expand our fingerpicking vocabulary, learning new musical concepts whilst continuing to develop finger coordination and control.
We'll explore some new chords and introduce the two most common scales used in Western music - the major and natural minor scales. We'll also work on our listening skills and fretboard knowledge, all to help our fingerpicking sound more musical.
After completing Grade One, you’ll be fingerpicking with correct technique, playing in time, and starting to really hear music rather than just listen to it.
To take this grade, you need to have a basic understanding of fingerpicking and guitar, such as simple open chords.
ARE YOU READY FOR...
Grade Two
Now it's time to explore new techniques and become an accomplished beginner.
We'll continue to build good chord knowledge, dive into exciting fretting hand techniques, and learn about rhythm.
The fingerpicking patterns we'll play will be more advanced as we continue to develop our musicality and core fingerstyle techniques. And we'll put that to the test in four beautiful fingerpicked pieces, written especially for the course.
At the end of Grade Two, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an intermediate fingerstyle guitarist - not just able to fingerpick, but with good all-round playing ability and skills.
You'll need a good foundation in the fundamentals of fingerpicking to take this grade.
Grades 3 - 8 are currently under development. Watch this space!
Your Instructor
Chris Murrin
The founder of Six String Fingerpicking, Chris, has dedicated his entire adult life to helping students master fingerstyle guitar. Now, he helps hundreds of thousands of subscribers on his YouTube channel and students at the Six String Fingerpicking Academy to reach their guitar goals every day.
He has a relaxed and supportive teaching style, putting students at ease. Learning new techniques and topics is broken down into bite-sized chunks, all with a logical progression so that the courses are easy to follow and students can learn at their own pace.
What our students are saying
The way he breaks it down and slowly adds to your plate without overwhelming you is key to his effectiveness. The videos with on screen tabs or the option to download them and work at your own pace is also great.
I’m not sure you’re going to find many other people out there who are as humble and approachable as Chris. I can email him a question or comment and he gets back rather quickly. All around just a great guy and a great teacher.
I have purchased so many books and online lessons, without a lot of success. I want you to know I wish I had had an instructor like you long ago. Of all the lessons I have purchased, yours are absolutely the best. I appreciate how you break everything down.
My main interest in learning guitar was to be able to play fingerstyle. There is some instruction out there but much of it is spotty and disjointed.
Chris also takes the time to actually email you back if you have a question not already addressed in any of his lessons. I recommend you give it a try.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is The Six String Fingerpicking Method for?
Anyone who wants a clear and inspiring step-by-step path designed to develop fingerstyle technique alongside the fundamentals of general guitar playing. You can be at any level and find a suitable grade for your needs. If you have any questions about your specific circumstances then get in touch via hello@sixstringfingerpicking.com and we'll be more than happy to advise you on the best option for you.
I have some of your existing courses, do I need the grades as well?
All of the other courses are solely focused on fingerstyle, except for Total Guitar Mastery, which is a guide to learning acoustic guitar. The grades combine both fingerstyle and wider guitar learning at the same time to develop you into an all-round guitarist with a specialism in fingerstyle. They also include an optional assessment so that you can be assured that you're reaching the expected standard, as well as receiving personalised feedback and a certificate of achievement upon passing. Please do email us at hello@sixstringfingerpicking.com to discuss your specific circumstances and we'll be happy to advise you on the best route forward for your individual goals.
Do I need previous fingerpicking/guitar experience?
No! You can start with no experience of fingerpicking or guitar at all. The Preliminary Grade only requires that you have a guitar and the willingness to learn.
If you can already play guitar competently and now just want to learn fingerpicking, then I'd recommend joining the Complete Guide to Fingerstyle Guitar courses as these focus purely on the techniques of this style.
Do I need to complete every grade...and in order?
No. You might find that you can start midway through the grades, depending on your previous experience across both fingerstyle and general guitar playing. However, we wouldn't recommend following the grades out of order if you're starting with the Preliminary Grade, as they each one builds on the previous level to form a continuous learning pathway.
What do I need to complete the courses?
You simply need internet access and a guitar. The courses are not downloadable so you will need an internet connection good enough for streaming. All written course materials are included as a downloadable PDF so you can work on these away from the computer if you choose.
How long does each grade take to complete?
This is really variable depending on your available time commitment and your general speed when it comes to learning new material. However, there is no rush and your course will not expire after a certain period of time.
How will I be assessed?
Each course includes a description of the assessment method and the pass criteria. A range of skills will be assessed across each grade for both your fingerstyle and general guitar ability. You'll need to submit a video of your performance, which will be reviewed and assessed by Chris. You'll then receive your final score and the grade achieved.
Do I have to take the assessment?
Whether you choose to take the assessment or not is up to you - there's no pressure. The assessed version of the course includes the assessment fee, but you can pay this later if you change your mind. Whichever version you buy, you'll receive a description of the assessment method and pass criteria.
How do I prove it's me taking the assessment?
We rely on your honesty here. There's nothing to gain by cheating!
What if I don't pass?
It's really important that you feel confident enough to take the assessment before submitting anything because there is no option to retake without paying a second assessment fee. Currently, for the Preliminary Grade this is $29. For Grades One and Two, it's $39.
Will I receive a certificate on passing the grade?
Yes, you will receive a certificate when you pass the grade. The version of the course without the assessment will not issue a certificate.
Can I take the assessment without buying the full course?
No, this option is not available. The full course contains information about the assessment and the pieces you'll be required to play.
I'm left-handed, can I still join the Method?
Of course! Everything taught in the course will apply just the same, so long as you're using a left-handed guitar.
What if I need help?
If you have a problem or any questions then just use the Support link at the bottom of the page or email hello@sixstringfingerpicking.com.
What if I want a refund? Do you offer a money back guarantee?
I hope you really enjoy my courses but if you find they're not right for you then I offer a 30 day money back guarantee. To request a refund, use the 'Support' link at the bottom of the page or email hello@sixstringfingerpicking.com. Please note that if you buy the assessment and submit your video, you will not be eligible for a refund, even if you are within the 30 days as you will be deemed to have been satisfied with the course.
Do the grades include the TABS for the popular song lessons you teach?
No, purchasing a course does not include access to popular song TABs due to copyright. This is also why the song lessons do not include TABs, but there are links on the song lesson pages where you can buy the TABs separately with Musicnotes.com, which ensures that the royalties are paid to the rights holders. You can also get a discount on TABs with Musicnotes if you join my email newsletter.
Are the courses downloadable/viewable offline?
No, you cannot download the courses (i.e. video lessons) but you can download a PDF of the course materials so you can work on them away from the computer.
Why aren't the grades included in The Everything Bundle?
The Everything Bundle includes all of the standalone fingerstyle courses, including the Complete Guide to Fingerstyle Guitar - Beginner to Advanced, Total Guitar Mastery, and the courses on specific styles of playing, such as Blues and Travis Picking. The grades are not included because they are a new product, and the series won't be complete until the publication of Grade 8. Once complete, we will consider an overarching bundle but keep The Everything Bundle available as it is now as not everyone wants to learn with a focus on assessment.
Should I still have a private teacher?
We would always advise that a private teacher is a worthwhile investment, particularly in the early stages of your playing. Chris has written a blog post on whether you really need a guitar teacher nowadays, so check it out for a full explanation.
