When I started teaching guitar, I knew I had to talk about chicken picking on the guitar.
Why did I know I NEEDED to talk about chicken picking?
Because it’s a cornerstone of acoustic guitar playing.
Because some of the most famous guitar players from Chet Atkins to James Burton chicken pick.
Because I want you to learn chicken picking in an easy, no-stress way.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I can’t play like Chet Atkins or JamesBurton!”
Well, what if I told you that there are concrete, actionable steps you can take TODAY to become a better guitar player?
Before I tell you how to start THAT journey, I’m going to show you two exercises to help you learn how to chicken pick on guitar like the greats.
Originally published on June 22, 2019, this post was republished on September 05, 2022.
What Exactly Is Chicken Picking?
In preparation for the two exercises, I first have to address three things:
- What is chicken picking
- What chicken picking can do for your playing
- Why you should start chicken picking today
Chicken picking, also known as hybrid picking, is a vital skill that any guitar player should know.
Chicken picking utilizes both the pick and fingers to create a strumming pattern. It’s textured, it’s dynamic, and it’s a fun technique to explore.
When you learn to chicken pick, a whole genre of music opens up to you. Country, bluegrass, folk, and blues all make use of chicken picking.
So why haven’t you learned how to chicken pick yet?
There’s a simple answer here…most people think it’s too hard.
When you watch veteran chicken pickers, they play at lightning-fast speeds, up and down the neck, with perfect accuracy.
But remember:
It took years of practice for them to be able to chicken pick like that!
This leads me to my final point: if you want to start chicken picking, you have to start practicing.
Fortunately, I created two awesome exercises to help you learn how to hybrid pick on the guitar.
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These exercises are designed for beginning or advanced players and will give you a solid foundation for chicken picking on the guitar.
Chicken Picking Exercise 1: The Basics
This exercise only uses two strings: the G and high E strings.
Your flatpick will be striking the G string, while your middle finger will pluck the high E string.
To get used to both picking and plucking with your fingers, try playing both of these open strings simultaneously. Go for even, clean, and steady pinches with your pick and middle finger.
Once you feel confident doing that, you’re going to play a G major scale on the high E string.
Remember, use your middle finger on your strumming hand to play the G major scale on the E string. As you pluck the high E string, don’t forget to use your pick to strike the open G string.
To play the G major scale, your going to start by placing the index finger of your fretting hand on the 3rd fret. Then, move up to the 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, and finish on the 15th fret.
But something’s missing…why doesn’t it sound like chicken picking?
There’s an easy fix for this. Start staggering the notes instead of playing them simultaneously. You’ll be surprised at how much fuller this sounds!
Chicken Picking Exercise 2: The Roll
You’re going to be playing a banjo-type roll by utilizing your pick, ring finger, and middle finger of your strumming hand.
The goal of this exercise is to train your middle and ring fingers to be independent of your pick.
And don’t worry, it might not sound musical at first, but I promise it’ll sound better after you get this picking pattern down.
- Your pick will only play the D string
- Your middle finger will only play the G string
- Your ring finger will only play the B string.
Simple enough, right? Start by just playing those three strings, making sure your pick and fingers are sticking to their assigned strings
To continue with the exercise, I’m going to add a little timing. This is going to be an eighth-note roll. Go ahead and fret the 5th fret of the D string.
- Start by striking the D string.
- Pluck the open G string.
- Pluck the open B string.
- Strike the D string.
- Pluck the open G string.
- Pluck the open B string.
- Strike the D string.
- Pluck the B string.
OR
- Pick
- Middle
- Ring
- Pick
- Middle
- Ring
- Pick
- Ring
The reason why we only play the D and B strings in steps 5 and 6 is to finish the measure. If you count the eighth notes, you’ll see that this pattern fills an entire measure.
How do I make this exercise more musical?
Remember the G scale from the first exercise?
To make this exercise inspiring, beautiful, and interesting, you can play the G scale starting from the 5th fret of the D string.
Be sure to keep the G and B strings open and ringing as you play the G scale on the D string.
The beauty of this exercise is in establishing an even, steady roll with your strumming hand.
If you’re looking for more chicken-picking exercises to help you be a better guitar player,check out this hybrid picking excercise. Alternatively, there’s a whole library of comprehensive, free video lessons if you click here.
Does THIS Sound Like Chicken Picking Yet?
Think back to how your chicken picking on guitar was before this lesson…
Now, look at how you have your first chicken-picking pattern on guitar! Pat yourself on the back — you learned a new way to pick on the guitar!
It will take practice, and you might have to read or watch this lesson again.
BUT, that’s what it takes to learn how to chicken pick. It doesn’t happen in one day…Read this to learn how to get better at picking guitar.
Learning the guitar takes practice, patience, gratitude, and the appreciation of what I like to call small wins (#smallwins!).
When you start learning the guitar, you can start playing WITH others, playing FOR others, and enjoying one of the oldest human creations: music.
But remember how I told you in the beginning that there are concrete, actionable steps you can take to become a better guitar player?
Some of those concrete, actionable steps include playing every day, playing with a purpose, and not giving up. It can be challenging to do this all on your own without guidance.
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Fortunately, I created an awesome program called Tony’s Acoustic Challenge.
Created to help acoustic guitar players learn and develop consistent practicing habits, Tony’s Acoustic Challenge can be the most important step you take on your guitar journey.
With daily exercises, hundreds of in-depth lessons in curated courses, and a supportive community, Tony’s Acoustic Challenge will give you the tools you need to live your best acoustic life.
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