"I’m not thinking 'can I do this?' anymore. I’m just playing. That's pretty amazing."
Josh B., member since 2025
"You're not just handed a tune, you can make that tune your own. That's been a huge game changer for me."
Carol B., member since 2022
"I've been fortunate enough to travel around Europe and perform these tunes, and I wouldn't be here without this program."
Jan H., member since 2020
 If you feel stuck or scattered, the Fingerstyle Five's clear methods and focused lessons will help you build your repertoire and play better solo blues guitar. Whatever your level.
Getting better takes work, but it doesn't have to be complicated.
You just need to know what to work on, and how to work on it.
Want to feel more motivated and see real progress?
1. Narrow Your FocusÂ
Work on playing one style well, rather than a little bit of everything
2. Learn Repeatable MethodsÂ
Learn each song the same way – so you get good at learning songs
3. Slow Down!Â
Use the time you have to put more thought into fewer songs
"I've gotten more in the first month than I ever did from a year's worth of lessons."
– Scott L., member since 2024
––– The Fingerstyle Five –––
Proven Methods
To Help You:
Build Your Repertoire
Play complete versions of traditional blues tunes, whatever your level
Learn To Groove
Get your thumb and fingers working together
Make It Your Own
Use intros, endings and solos to create your own version of every song
Start To Improvise
Build a vocabulary of licks and learn a step-by-step method for playing blues solos
Find Community
Study with like-minded guitarists who share your passion for unlocking this style
Make Real Progress
Know what to work on, how to work on it, and when to move on
"I've discovered a very welcoming community in the forum. People were so friendly, I even started to post practice videos, something I never thought I would do. And my blues vocabulary (which was almost zero when I joined) has increased exponentially."
– Delphine E., member since 2023
The Fingerstyle Five Difference
Get The Focus You Need
We do one thing here at the Fingerstyle Five: solo fingerstyle blues guitar. Steady bass or alternating thumb, traditional or contemporary blues, instrumental tunes or vocal accompaniment – for over six years, the Fingerstyle Five has been the organized, ongoing place to learn complete songs, make real progress, and become a better musician.
Think Like A Musician
The idea is simple: instead of tackling massive tabbed-out transcriptions or worrying about playing prewar masterpieces "just like the record," you'll start learning songs the way musicians really do it: from the inside out.
A Framework You Can Build On
The first thing you'll learn is the tune: just the eight or twelve bars of the melody, over a simple alternating-thumb or steady bass. That's a framework you can build everything else on – from syncopating the melody or adding in bass runs and chord substitutions to using intros, outros and solos to create a complete arrangement.
Learn At Your Own Pace
For every song, you'll find multiple versions of the same tune, so you can choose the level that's right for you, and come back later when you're ready to take the next step. The quarterly song schedule gives you time to learn at your own pace, while the lessons on improvising and arranging provide enough challenges and ideas for even the most advanced player.
Always Know What To Work On
With detailed PDFs for every lesson, you'll always know what to work on and how to work on it. Regular, ongoing live streams provide longer discussions about how to approach the material, as well as answers to your questions about everything from fingerings and technique to practice habits and how to maintain your new repertoire.
Structured Lessons For Every Level
The membership introduces a new song every three months.
In April 2026, learn how to play the 1930s tune "Exactly Like You" and the traditional blues classic "Midnight Special."
Weekly Lessons
Attend up to three hour-long live streams per month. Every live stream is also archived and available for on-demand viewing.
Essential Keys & Grooves
The Fingerstyle Five covers both steady bass and alternating-thumb styles, in all the essential keys: E, A, D, C, E minor and A minor.
Tools For Arranging
Learn the basic 8- or 12-bar melody first, then use syncopation, bass runs and chord substitutions to create your own arrangement
A Complete Method
The Fingerstyle Five provides a structured, repeatable method for learning complete guitar arrangements.
All The Repertoire You Need
Blues Classics
The Fingerstyle Five's Traditional Blues Library includes more than two dozen classics:
Baby Please Don't Go • Careless Love • Catfish Blues • Crow Black Chicken • Crow Jane • House Of The Rising Sun • How Long Blues • I Shall Not Be Moved • In The Pines • Jack 'O Diamonds • Key To The Highway • Matchbox Blues • Midnight Special • Motherless Child • Nine Pound Hammer • Nobody's Dirty Business • Nobody's Fault But Mine • Pony Blues • Rollin' and Tumblin' • See See Rider • Sitting On Top Of The World • St. James Infirmary • Stagolee • Statesboro Blues • Trouble In Mind • Wayfaring Stranger • You Got To Move
Contemporary Blues
The Contemporary Blues Library includes more than a dozen original compositions featuring new chord voicings, walking bass lines, turnaround licks and other sophisticated variations on the basic blues form:
Avalon Dreams • Big Surly • Bryant Park • Chez Poulet • Ides Of March • Ivory Ghost • Jackson's Cadillac • Little Surly • Minor Details • Mueslissippi Ibis • Muleshoe Getaway • Parisian Blues • Profundo • Ramsey Avenue Swell • Rosedale Shuffle • Soulstice • Trifecta Rag • Zoozoo Bingo
"David does an amazing job...it feels like personal lessons, even though you're with a lot of people as you learn."
Bob S., member since 2023
"It's a wonderful, accessible range of music info. Notes, tabs, theory, improv, exercises – all the whys, hows, and ways of fingerstyle blues."
Valerie S., member since 2021
"The best part is that I'm learning the instrument, not just songs. My only regret is not finding this sooner!"
John P., member since 2023
Six Reasons To Join Now
1. Three months of new lessons starting in April
- Get step-by-step lessons for "Exactly Like You," starting April 2
- Work at your own pace, at your own level
- Get answers to your questions in the live Q&As and the community forum.
2. The Six Week Start for fingerstyle blues beginners
- Essential E blues licks and chords in the steady bass style
- Play your first turnaround and your first twelve-bar blues solo
- Week-by-week tips on right-hand coordination and learning the fingerboard
- Big-picture videos on groove, repertoire, improvisation and more.Â
3. The Practice Planner course and custom worksheets
- Discover how to make progress even with limited practice time.
- Learn how to balance working on technique and repertoire
- Finally! Learn your way around the fretboard
4. Music Theory For Blues Guitarists
- Learn about intervals, chords and scales from absolute scratch
- See how they apply to the blues
5. Tab for everything
- Download detailed, accurate PDFs for every exercise, lick and example
6. Live Q&A sessions every month
- Attend up to three interactive live streams every month
- Get your questions answered in real time via chatÂ
- Answers to your on- and off-topic questions are part of every live lesson
" A year ago I didn't know a flat third from a hole in the wall and had only a vague notion of keys and scales. Today, I understand everything you said in this month's improvisation sessions and how you arrive at the licks you give us."
– Rob B., member since 2024
"I got the greatest compliment last week, my wife told me I actually sounded great and she could tell that I really have improved."
– Robert C., member since 2024
HOW IT WORKS
Sign Up
Use the secure form below to sign up now using Paypal or Stripe.
Join The Membership
Start learning with the membership's clear, structured, ongoing lessons.
Play Better Blues
Build your repertoire, hone your technique, and impress your audience
When are the live streams? Can I watch them later, on demand?
I just started playing fingerstyle guitar. Will the Fingerstyle Five work for me?
I'm a long-time player and already know plenty of tunes. What will I learn from the Fingerstyle Five?
How long are the live streams?
Where do I go to watch the lessons?
How much is the membership? Is it easy to cancel?
The Fingerstyle Five
There is no long-term commitment when you join The Fingerstyle Five. Sign up now for $39/month, pay monthly, and cancel at any time.
