Theodore Presser

The NYC Guitar School's own Lenny Molotov guides students into finger style playing. Although designed for beginners on the instrument, the book suggests that a basic familiarity with open chords and strumming helps, but no prior knowledge of fingerpicking is a good thing. (No bad habits.) First lesson - the thumb must always be outside of the fingers (this will be reinforced throughout). Then, after trying out some simple exercises, it's on to arpeggios and actually playing the first of many original solos included in the book. This is a detailed study of the use of thumb and fingers, the physics of playing (angle of attack), and an ever-deeper study of techniques, all presented in study-at-your-own-pace format. Besides the copious use of illustrations and music examples, there are lots of videos available on the NYC Guitar School's YouTube channel, that will be of further help.