How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Evie master fingerpicking and strumming patterns with confidence

Many guitar learners find transitioning from simple chords to complex fingerpicking and strumming patterns a challenging step. Evie was no exception. 

She wanted to master songs like “You Broke Me First” and “Hey There Delilah,” but struggled with chord transitions, picking patterns, and keeping the rhythm steady. 

With personalized 1-on-1 guitar lessons from tutor Shannon Liddy, Evie made great strides in her guitar skills and gained confidence in her playing.

If you’re an adult learner like Evie, our how to learn guitar as an adult guide breaks down the process, busts common myths, and shows that it’s never too late to start.

Real class insight: Evie’s one-on-one guitar session

In her recent lesson, Evie focused on fingerpicking techniques and practicing chord progressions for her chosen songs. Here’s what the session looked like:

Mastering chord transitions and picking patterns

Evie was working on the intricate picking pattern in “Hey There Delilah,” which involves alternating picking of specific strings while smoothly changing chords.

What Evie learned:

“I was able to break down the picking pattern by focusing on which strings to play and when,” Evie said. “Shannon helped me understand how to pick the fifth, third, and second strings on the C chord and then switch smoothly to other chords without losing rhythm.”

Shannon introduced the practice of single strums on each chord to help Evie nail the transitions before adding the full picking pattern. “Doing slow single strums helped me feel each chord clearly before speeding up,” Evie explained.

Understanding the chord progression and structure

Evie also learned the importance of the chord progression-the sequence of chords throughout the song-and how it affects the rhythm and mood.

What Evie learned:

“Before, I didn’t quite get how the chords fit together over time,” Evie shared. “Shannon explained that the chord progression is basically the order the chords go in a song, and once I understood that, I could anticipate changes better.”

By practicing the verse, chorus, and bridge sections separately and then combining them, Evie gained a clearer picture of the song’s structure, making it easier to learn.

Adding strumming and percussive techniques for more dynamics

To add variety and dynamics, Shannon taught Evie a “slap” or muted strum technique that creates a percussive effect on the strings, adding rhythm and excitement to her playing.

What Evie Learned:

“The slapping technique was tricky at first, but Shannon showed me how to use my thumb and fingers to get a sharp sound,” Evie said. “It made the song more fun to play and gave it a fuller sound.”

Shannon guided Evie through combining normal strums and slaps in a pattern, helping her build a more dynamic and engaging performance.

Preparing for the next challenge: Exploring new songs and styles

As Evie progressed, she started thinking about taking on more challenging songs, like “2002” by Anne-Marie. Shannon helped her explore different ways to play it-strumming or fingerpicking-and tailored the lesson to her preference.

What Evie learned:

“I’m excited to try different styles,” Evie said. “Shannon showed me easier and harder versions of the song, and I chose the strumming style because it suits me better right now.”

This personalized approach kept Evie motivated and confident in her learning journey.

Why this matters: You can master your guitar skills too

Evie’s rapid improvement demonstrates the power of 1-on-1 guitar lessons. With focused attention and tailored guidance, even complex skills like fingerpicking and strumming become manageable.

“I thought picking patterns would take forever to learn, but with Shannon’s help breaking it down, it became much easier,” Evie shared. “It’s really about practicing the right way and having someone to guide you.”

Her experience shows that no matter your starting point, personalized coaching can help you overcome challenges and enjoy playing guitar with confidence.

Thinking of picking up the guitar? Start with our how to learn guitar blog – it answers common beginner questions and lays out a clear path to get started.

Want to master finger picking and strumming like this?

Connect with expert guitar tutors who can:

• Help you master fingerpicking, strumming, and chord transitions
• Provide personalized feedback to tackle your unique challenges
• Structure lessons tailored to your pace and goals

Book a lesson with a guitar tutor today – your first lesson is on us!

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Explore more inspiring stories and start your own journey with expert guidance.

Link to Shannon Liddy’s profile

Shannon Liddy

Footnote: The student’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.