Guitar music has always captivated audiences with its versatility and beauty, but the fingerstyle technique takes guitar performance to a whole new level. This style allows a guitarist to turn the instrument into a complete orchestra, simultaneously playing bass lines, melodies, and accompaniment. These unique characteristics have made fingerstyle popular worldwide, winning the hearts of both beginners and seasoned musicians.
In this article, we’ve gathered ten of the best fingerstyle covers of popular songs. Each one is a masterpiece created by guitarists who have found their unique approach to interpreting well-known compositions. These covers not only showcase technical mastery but also convey the atmosphere of the original tracks using only an acoustic guitar. At the end of the article, we’ll also provide some useful tips to help you choose the perfect cover to learn and take your first steps in mastering this unique style.
Fingerstyle covers impress not only with their sound but also with their visual impact. Watching a performance, it's impossible not to admire the guitarist's skill. Rapid position changes, complex transitions, and virtuosic techniques mesmerize viewers. Many of these videos have garnered millions of views on YouTube, inspiring thousands of listeners worldwide.
1. Shape of You (Ed Sheeran) — Sungha Jung
Sungha Jung’s cover of Ed Sheeran’s iconic hit became a true sensation in the world of fingerstyle. The guitarist masterfully captures the characteristic rhythm and melody, making the song just as energetic as the original. This video has amassed over 4 million views on YouTube, inspiring both novice and professional musicians alike.
Video by Sungha Jung on YouTube
2. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) — James Bartholomew
James Bartholomew creates pure magic by transforming Queen’s legendary hit into a fingerstyle masterpiece. He seamlessly blends vocal lines, piano chords, and guitar solos, turning every note into a work of art. James’s rendition is often regarded as one of the best covers of this song.
Video by James Bartholomew on YouTube
3. Dancing Queen (ABBA) — Gabriella Quevedo
This rendition of ABBA’s iconic hit captivates listeners from the very first notes. Gabriella Quevedo conveys the song's atmosphere with exquisite precision, adding a touch of warmth and tenderness to her performance. Gabriella often includes her covers in live shows, where they sound even more impressive.
Video by Gabriella Quevedo on YouTube
4. Fade To Black (Metallica) — Luca Stricagnoli
Luca Stricagnoli is renowned for his innovative guitar experiments, and this cover is no exception. He adds remarkable depth and dynamics to Metallica's iconic hit, leaving listeners in awe. Luca uses two guitars simultaneously to achieve an even more unique sound.
Video by Luca Stricagnoli on YouTube
5. Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton) — Tommy Emmanuel & Igor Presnyakov
Tommy Emmanuel and Igor Presnyakov, true fingerstyle masters, transform this heartfelt composition into an even more soulful rendition. Their playing technique delivers each note with crystal clarity. Tommy Emmanuel often emphasizes that it’s the emotions that make covers truly unique.
Video by Tommy Emmanuel on YouTube
6. Careless Whisper (George Michael) — Alexandr Misko
Contemporary fingerstyle virtuoso Alexandr Misko impresses with his original interpretation of “Careless Whisper”. He incorporates percussive elements into his performance, creating a rich sound texture. Alexandr is widely recognized for his complex arrangements.
Video by Alexandr Misko on YouTube
7. Memories (Maroon 5) — Josephine Alexandra
Josephine Alexandra brings a unique lightness and grace to Maroon 5’s famous hit. Her technique makes the melody of “Memories” sound lively and emotional. This cover video went viral on social media platforms.
Video by Josephine Alexandra on YouTube
8. River Flows In You (Yiruma) — Casper Esmann
Casper Esmann’s rendition of this beautiful composition offers a fresh perspective. He masterfully combines the original harmony with modern elements, making the cover captivating and unique. This song is often used as inspiration for wedding ceremonies.
Video by Casper Esmann on YouTube
9. A Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay) — Daniel Padim
Daniel Padim amazes with his version of Coldplay’s iconic song. His performance combines a soft touch with the energy of the original. Padim’s rendition has inspired many aspiring guitarists to explore fingerstyle techniques.
Video by Candyrat Records on YouTube
10. Interstellar (Hans Zimmer) — Eiro Nareth
Eiro Nareth brings a new emotional depth to Hans Zimmer’s iconic piece. His performance is filled with virtuosity, making every note unforgettable. This cover has become one of the most popular videos on his channel.
Video by Eiro Nareth on YouTube
How to Choose the Perfect Cover to Learn?
Fingerstyle is a unique technique that combines melody, bass, and accompaniment. For guitarists looking to master this style, selecting the right cover to learn is crucial. In this section, we’ll share tips on how to pick a song that will inspire you and help improve your playing technique.
1. Consider Your Skill Level
When choosing a cover, it’s important to assess your current abilities. Start with songs that match your level:
- For beginners: Look for covers with a slow tempo and simple chords. Songs like “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton are great for learning the basics of fingerstyle.
- For intermediate players: Try compositions that include percussive elements or more complex chord transitions, such as “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran.
- For advanced players: Focus on covers with fast tempos or intricate arrangements, like “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen.
Remember, selecting a piece that is too difficult can be discouraging, while successfully mastering a simpler cover will motivate you to progress further.
2. Choose a Song You Love
Success in learning fingerstyle depends on motivation, so choose compositions that you truly enjoy. Playing a song that evokes positive emotions makes the learning process more engaging and the results more inspiring.
3. Assess the Arrangement’s Complexity
Some covers may appear deceptively simple. Pay attention to the following elements that can impact difficulty:
- Tempo: Slower songs are easier to learn as they give you more time to change positions.
- Percussion: If the guitarist incorporates drum-like rhythms, this may require extra coordination.
- Technique: Techniques like slapping, hammer-ons, or pull-offs can make a piece more challenging.
- Tuning: Alternate tunings (e.g., “Drop D” or “DADGAD”) may add complexity.
If you’re a beginner, look for videos where the performer explains their technique in detail or provides tablatures. Popular fingerstyle covers often come with reviews and comments from other guitarists, giving you insights into the song's difficulty and helpful tips from those who’ve already mastered it.
4. Find Accessible Resources
Having the right materials at hand is essential for successfully learning fingerstyle covers. Here’s what you might need:
- Video Tutorials: Many performers offer step-by-step breakdowns of their covers.
- Tablatures: Access to sheet music or tabs greatly simplifies the learning process. You can find them on platforms like Ultimate Guitar in Guitar Pro format.
- Slow Versions: Choose covers with options to slow down the video for detailed study.
On our website, the “Tools” section provides everything you need for comfortable practice: a chromatic tuner, a metronome, and a Guitar Pro tab player. These resources are especially useful for learning fingerstyle covers as they allow you to tune your guitar accurately, practice rhythm, and carefully dissect each note of the composition.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
If a cover feels too challenging, try simplifying it. Start with the basic melody or chords, gradually adding bass and percussive elements. This step-by-step approach will help you master the style without overwhelming yourself with complexity.
Conclusion
Fingerstyle is a unique guitar playing style that combines beauty, virtuosity, and endless creative possibilities. It allows performers to turn a single instrument into a full orchestra, conveying the richness of beloved songs while adding something uniquely their own.
In this article, we introduced you to the world of fingerstyle through the lens of its best covers. These videos inspire not only listeners but also musicians, showcasing how even one guitar can bring complex and multi-layered compositions to life. Each cover is not just an arrangement but a true masterpiece, crafted with love and skill.
If these fingerstyle covers impressed you, we’ve prepared even more captivating videos for you. Check out our article on 10 Incredible Fingerstyle Performances You Must Hear, where we’ve compiled more masterpieces that highlight this style.
For those just starting their journey into fingerstyle, we’ve written a helpful guide: “What is Fingerstyle Guitar? A Complete Guide for Beginners”. It explains how fingerstyle transforms the guitar into an orchestra and how to master the basics to play as inspiringly as the masters on our list.
