144 Fingerstyle Roll Exercises

Exercises for every permutation of the fingerstyle roll.

What Are Fingerstyle Rolls?

Fingerstyle rolls (also called arpeggiated or broken chords) are a fundamental technique for classical, fingerstyle, and contemporary acoustic guitar. Instead of strumming all strings simultaneously, each finger plucks individual strings in sequence, creating flowing patterns.

The PIMA System

Classical guitar uses a finger naming convention derived from Spanish:

P (Pulgar) = Thumb
I (Índice) = Index finger
M (Medio) = Middle finger
A (Anular) = Ring finger

Why 144 Exercises?

With four fingers, there are exactly 24 unique permutations of PIMA ordering (4! = 4×3×2×1 = 24). When practiced across the six most common string groupings, this creates 24 × 6 = 144 distinct exercises.

String Sets You Will See

The thumb often plays an independent bass note, but the remaining three fingers most often cluster together. Considering this, we have six very common string sets for voicing chords.

String Set	Description
①②③④	High E, B, G, D (adjacent treble)
②③④⑤	B, G, D, A (middle strings)
③④⑤⑥	G, D, A, Low E (adjacent bass)
①②③⑤	Spread voicing (skip string 4)
①②④⑤	Spread voicing (skip string 3)
①③④⑤	Spread voicing (skip string 2)

How to Practice

Start Slowly: No particular time or tempo is needed. Focus on clean articulation.
Work in Sets: Complete one exercise before moving on to the next.
Strictly observe correct fingering. Every exercise uses exactly four fingers to pluck; the right-hand thumb always plucks the lowest note, and the next highest notes are always plucked by (low to high) index, middle and ring fingers. No exceptions!
Repeat each pattern: Each chord pattern can be played 1, 2, or even 4 times; in fact, playing each chord multiple times will lead to faster progress.

Exercises 1–6

Exercise 1PIMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 1 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 2PIMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 2 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 3PIMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 3 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 4PIMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 4 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 5PIMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 5 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 6PIMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 6 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 7–12

Exercise 7PIAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 7 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 8PIAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 8 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 9PIAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 9 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 10PIAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 10 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 11PIAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 11 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 12PIAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 12 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 13–18

Exercise 13PMIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 13 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 14PMIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 14 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 15PMIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 15 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 16PMIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 16 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 17PMIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 17 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 18PMIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 18 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 19–24

Exercise 19PMAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 19 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 20PMAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 20 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 21PMAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 21 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 22PMAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 22 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 23PMAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 23 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 24PMAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 24 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 25–30

Exercise 25PAMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 25 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 26PAMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 26 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 27PAMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 27 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 28PAMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 28 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 29PAMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 29 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 30PAMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 30 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 31–36

Exercise 31PAIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 31 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 32PAIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 32 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 33PAIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 33 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 34PAIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 34 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 35PAIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 35 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 36PAIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 36 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 37–42

Exercise 37AMIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 37 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 38AMIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 38 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 39AMIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 39 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 40AMIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 40 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 41AMIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 41 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 42AMIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 42 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 43–48

Exercise 43AMPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 43 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 44AMPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 44 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 45AMPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 45 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 46AMPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 46 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 47AMPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 47 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 48AMPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 48 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 49–54

Exercise 49AIMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 49 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 50AIMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 50 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 51AIMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 51 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 52AIMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 52 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 53AIMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 53 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 54AIMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 54 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 55–60

Exercise 55AIPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 55 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 56AIPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 56 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 57AIPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 57 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 58AIPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 58 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 59AIPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 59 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 60AIPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 60 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 61–66

Exercise 61APIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 61 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 62APIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 62 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 63APIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 63 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 64APIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 64 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 65APIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 65 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 66APIM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 66 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 67–72

Exercise 67APMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 67 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 68APMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 68 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 69APMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 69 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 70APMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 70 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 71APMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 71 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 72APMI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 72 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 73–78

Exercise 73IPMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 73 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 74IPMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 74 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 75IPMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 75 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 76IPMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 76 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 77IPMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 77 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 78IPMA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 78 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 79–84

Exercise 79IPAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 79 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 80IPAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 80 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 81IPAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 81 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 82IPAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 82 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 83IPAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 83 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 84IPAM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 84 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 85–90

Exercise 85IMPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 85 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 86IMPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 86 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 87IMPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 87 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 88IMPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 88 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 89IMPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 89 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 90IMPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 90 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 91–96

Exercise 91IMAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 91 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 92IMAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 92 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 93IMAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 93 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 94IMAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 94 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 95IMAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 95 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 96IMAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 96 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 97–102

Exercise 97IAPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 97 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 98IAPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 98 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 99IAPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 99 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 100IAPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 100 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 101IAPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 101 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 102IAPM

Fingerstyle roll exercise 102 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 103–108

Exercise 103IAMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 103 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 104IAMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 104 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 105IAMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 105 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 106IAMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 106 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 107IAMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 107 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 108IAMP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 108 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 109–114

Exercise 109MAIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 109 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 110MAIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 110 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 111MAIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 111 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 112MAIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 112 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 113MAIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 113 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 114MAIP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 114 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 115–120

Exercise 115MAPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 115 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 116MAPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 116 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 117MAPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 117 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 118MAPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 118 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 119MAPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 119 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 120MAPI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 120 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 121–126

Exercise 121MIAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 121 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 122MIAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 122 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 123MIAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 123 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 124MIAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 124 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 125MIAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 125 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 126MIAP

Fingerstyle roll exercise 126 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 127–132

Exercise 127MIPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 127 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 128MIPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 128 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 129MIPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 129 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 130MIPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 130 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 131MIPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 131 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 132MIPA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 132 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 133–138

Exercise 133MPIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 133 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 134MPIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 134 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 135MPIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 135 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 136MPIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 136 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 137MPIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 137 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 138MPIA

Fingerstyle roll exercise 138 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercises 139–144

Exercise 139MPAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 139 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 140MPAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 140 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 141MPAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 141 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 142MPAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 142 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 143MPAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 143 - PIMA right-hand pattern

Exercise 144MPAI

Fingerstyle roll exercise 144 - PIMA right-hand pattern

As the creator of Hub Guitar, Grey has compiled hundreds of guitar lessons, written several books, and filmed hundreds of video lessons. He teaches private lessons in his Boston studio, as well as via video chat.