Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

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Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by dagobert »

Hello, I stumbled upon this live performance by german songwriter Wolf Biermann and I'm impressed by his fingerpicking style. Anyone knows or can hear the picking pattern he plays in the verses? It sounds really fast and complex. Thanks in advance!

https://youtu.be/2zZtqBrwpnM
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Re: Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by awjoe »

It doesn't seem classical to me - classical would be more precise and clean, I think. But it suits the song and the vocal and the place. (I prefer the picking on 'Hesitation Blues' by Hot Tuna - it has more respect for rhythm, but that's just me.) The bulk of it sounds like a fast three-note arpeggio pattern alternating with a claw-hammer pattern.
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Re: Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by OneWorld »

dagobert wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:03 pm Hello, I stumbled upon this live performance by german songwriter Wolf Biermann and I'm impressed by his fingerpicking style. Anyone knows or can hear the picking pattern he plays in the verses? It sounds really fast and complex. Thanks in advance!

https://youtu.be/2zZtqBrwpnM

Classical fingerstyle? not really, try these for size

Latin Fingerstyle On A Classical Guitar - Stephanie Jones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UwA8zvDcho

John Feeley Chaconne in D minor Bach - especially the middle bit with the arpeggio (@4:30)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNEnzNHTkd8
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Re: Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by Sam Spoons »

Stephanie Jones is superb, so precise and accurate :thumbup:
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Re: Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by awjoe »

Precise, yes, but also what a strong sense of rhythm - really satisfying. Plus, check how she'll shift her right hand up or down through a one- or two-measure phrase to get a brighter or darker sound. I do that, but she's so fluid with it.
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Re: Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by Sam Spoons »

Yes, she doesn't lose the groove or the feeling to that precision which often happens. I'm not really a fan of classical guitar, she one of very few classical players who can keep my attention.
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Re: Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by MixAndMatch »

dagobert wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:03 pm Hello, I stumbled upon this live performance by german songwriter Wolf Biermann and I'm impressed by his fingerpicking style. Anyone knows or can hear the picking pattern he plays in the verses? It sounds really fast and complex. Thanks in advance!

https://youtu.be/2zZtqBrwpnM

It's a classical technique of fast arpeggios using the rapid alternation of the p,i,m,a. fingers. There a lots of studies available which focus on developing this technique (Carulli for example). Some flamenco rasgueados in there too (1:38 for example).
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Re: Classical Fingerpicking the Wolf Biermann

Post by Ben Asaro »

MixAndMatch wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 9:09 pm
dagobert wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:03 pm Hello, I stumbled upon this live performance by german songwriter Wolf Biermann and I'm impressed by his fingerpicking style. Anyone knows or can hear the picking pattern he plays in the verses? It sounds really fast and complex. Thanks in advance!

https://youtu.be/2zZtqBrwpnM

It's a classical technique of fast arpeggios using the rapid alternation of the p,i,m,a. fingers. There a lots of studies available which focus on developing this technique (Carulli for example). Some flamenco rasgueados in there too (1:38 for example).

Yup, Carulli is essential when you are starting to learn classical guitar. PIMA is a very economical way to play quickly without an actual plectrum or using a hybrid technique like Travis picking.
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