Jul 21 • General discussion
🎸 Beginner Tip: What Is PIMA?
If you've ever looked at classical or fingerstyle guitar music, you may have come across the letters P, I, M and A.
These letters are simply shorthand for the fingers on your picking hand:
- P = Thumb
- I = Index finger
- M = Middle finger
- A = Ring finger
The letters come from the Spanish names for each finger, which is why the thumb is P rather than T.
Even if you don't use PIMA notation, it's worth knowing because you'll often see it in books, online lessons and other fingerstyle resources.
As a general guide:
🎸 Thumb (P) plays the E, A and D strings (the bass strings).
🎸 Index (I) usually plays the G string.
🎸 Middle (M) usually plays the B string.
🎸 Ring (A) usually plays the high E string.
There are exceptions, but this is the foundation that almost all fingerstyle guitar is built on.
Once each finger has its own "home" string, your picking hand becomes much more relaxed and consistent.
If you're new to fingerstyle, feel free to ask any beginner questions in the comments.
There are no silly questions, and if there's enough interest, I'll keep posting little tips like this to help everyone get started.
Jack 🎸
3
5 comments
🎸 Beginner Tip: What Is PIMA?
powered by
skool.com/fingerstyle-tab-club-8917
🎶 A fingerstyle guitar club for people who love to play classic songs on acoustic guitar.
Suggested communities
Powered by