This beginner's approach to playing fingerstyle guitar uses well-known folk songs to develop left and right-hand techniques. The tunes are first introduced with simplified chords and accompaniment provided by an easy downward strum of the thumb. Next, the thumb and three fingers pluck simultaneously to produce block chords, and finally render more complex arpeggiated patterns. While barre chords are judiciously avoided throughout, the alternating bass concept is presented with full-strength chords using all six strings where applicable. While the melodies are shown in standard notation, the lyrics and companion audio serve as rhythmic guides to the student; neither note nor tablature reading ability is required to complete this enjoyable course. Includes access to online audio.

Auld Lang Syne-Alternate Bass      
Beautiful Brown Eyes-Bass-Pluck-Pluck Pattern      
Blow Ye Winds, Westerly-3/4 Strum      
Brother John      
Brother John-Arpeggio Style      
Brother John-Plucking Style      
Down in the Valley-3/4 Arpeggio Pattern      
Down in the Valley-3/4 Strum      
Farmer in the Dell-Arpeggio Style      
Farmer in the Dell-Plucking Version      
Farmer in the Dell-Thumb Strum      
Father Abraham-Arpeggio Style      
Father Abraham-Double Arpeggio Pattern      
Father Abraham-Plucking Version      
Father Abraham-Thumb Strum      
Hey Lolly-Double Arpeggio      
Hey, Ho, Nobody Home-Arpeggio Pattern      
Jack of Diamonds      
Lonesome Valley-Alternate Bass      
Lonesome Valley-Arpeggio Style      
Lonesome Valley-Double Arpeggio Pattern      
Lonesome Valley-Strum Style      
Long Long Ago-Alternate Bass      
Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep-Strum Style      
Oh, My Darling Clementine-3/4 Arpeggio Pattern      
Oh, Sinner Man-Alternate Bass      
Old Chisholm Trail-Alernate Bass Pattern      
Old Chisholm Trail-Double Arpeggio Pattern      
On Top of Old Smokey-3/4 Arpeggio      
Our Team Will Shine Tonight      
Pay Me My Money Down-Double Arpeggio      
Shady Grove-Alternate Bass      
She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain-Alternate Bass Pattern      
Skip to my Lou-Alternate Bass      
Streets of Laredo      
Streets of Laredo      
Tom Dooley-Alternate Bass Pattern      
Tom Dooley-Double Arpeggio Pattern      
Tune =Up