Playing the melody on your guitar with your fingers, as opposed to a pick, is essential for classical guitarists and fingerstyle players. It is, however, a skill that all guitarists should seek to acquire. Some techniques, such as arpeggios (chords that are played by sounding one note at a time, quickly followed by the others) are easier to play with your fingers. Learning to play with your fingers can add a powerful tool to your arsenal as a guitarist.

Alternation

Generally speaking, do not use the same finger to perform subsequent strokes, because it takes too long to ready your finger for a second stroke, whereas a different finger is ready to go immediately. Most commonly, guitarists alternate their index (i) and middle (m) fingers. Alternation, if done properly, feels like you are walking your fingers in place–one finger plays the note; the next moves back to prepare for the stroke that follows.

The Rest Stroke

The foundational stroke used for this purpose is called the rest stroke. This stroke is the optimum way to produce a fuller sound from each individual note.

Execute this stroke by plucking the string so that when you complete your movement, your fingertip rests on the string right next to the one that you played. This resting on the adjacent string gives the stroke its name. The steps for playing the rest stroke are as follows:

1. Place your fingertip on the string to prepare for the stroke.

2. Pass your finger over the string, allowing your nail to catch the string and sound the note.

3. End your movement by resting your fingertip on the adjacent string.

Most importantly, keep your fingers slightly bent. Do not allow your finger joint to yield and flatten as it plays the note. This will weaken your attack. Every tiny adjustment that you make on your technique can improve your tone quality immensely.

Experiment with small alterations, listening carefully for differences in tone. For starters, here is a small experiment to get you going on this process. Approach the stroke from another angle. Allow your fingernail to slide off of the string at a slight angle, your finger slanted in order to hit the string with less force from your nail. This change of your angle of approach, contrasted with the head-on basic stroke, will yield a more delicate tone.

Be patient with yourself. It is much more important to take your time and learn good habits, than to rush this stroke and risk falling into bad habits. Time invested wisely at the beginning will pay dividends of maximizing your overall progress.

The Free Stroke

Used for playing chords, as well as arpeggios, the free stroke is handy to use in instances where you need to play single notes, but the rest stroke is not practical in that particular situation. To play the free stroke, allow your finger to come clear of the next string as its motion ceases. The alternation in the free stroke mirrors that in the rest stroke. When this stroke is perfected, you will be able to produce a full sound with nearly the same tone quality as that of a rest stroke.

When you have learned to play melody notes with your fingers, you will have given yourself a powerful tool on which to build your musicianship. You will earn more respect, and most importantly, build your confidence in your playing.