EXAMPLE PAUL SIMON STYLE

[Bar 1] This picking-hand pattern will form the basis of this study, so make sure you are comfortable with getting it to speed and keeping it well timed before progressing. Looping this first four-bar sequence will be great practice if you are new to fingerstyle playing, or if your picking needs work. [Bar 5] You can tr y two different picking-hand sequences at the star t of this bar – either use the thumb (p) followed by the thumb, first and second fingers to pluck the chord, or star t with the thumb then use the first, second and third fingers to pluck the chord. Either’s fine: it ’s more a question of preference and what feels comfortable. [Bar 13] Harmonic twists and turns are one of the really fun aspects of Paul Simon’s guitar playing, and an aspect that makes him so interesting to listen to. Check out 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover for a really clever and sophisticated progression. This next sequence features some chords that we wouldn’t normally expect in this type of track.