how the fuck do i fingerpick?

[fiddelerselbow]

Practice really. I started playing guitar when I got classical lessons so it was beaten into me from day one.

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, it's gonna take some time to get the basics down, but once you're past that you should improve pretty rapidly.

I've been playing in DADGAD almost exclusively, and not just for fingerpicking. It's a pretty versatile tuning. Chording is a bit more limited compared to standard, but I don't play fancy chords anyway. I also play slide in it even though it's not typically thought of as a slide tuning. So, yeah, try DADGAD.

[Adoom]

Yeah, it's gonna take some time to get the basics down, but once you're past that you should improve pretty rapidly.

Oh yes, exactly this.

[UisceBeatha414]

Like others have said, I took classical guitar in college, so I kinda had to learn

That being said, I do not own a classical guitar (but oh how I wish I did..) and my technique has drifted heavily into a very non-classical form.
If you go on YouTube and watch the difference between classical guitar fingerstyle and lute fingerstyle..my technique is closer to lute technique, but with a little Phil Keaggy thrown in

[veteransdaypoppy]

When I was super young, I took some piano lessons. Of course I didn't give a shit so I took some courses in college, and I learned to separate the left hand from the right hand and learn them individually.. Then, once you've got them both down, combine them.
For some fingerpicking patterns, this approach will work. I learn by ear because I don't know how to read, and if I'm learning someone else's song I try to pick up what their thumb is doing and then figure out what chord shapes/inversions they're playing by fumbling around or watching youtube videos.
Nick Drake was very creative when it came to alternate tunings and fingerpicking patterns. The only youtube dude I've ever seen do a good job of mimicking him, imo, is this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/user/plectrum34

Just watch his hands! Learning how he did it will improve your technique considerably.
And check out early Elliott Smith material, he was fantastic too.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQrhA6QtWOM[/youtube]

[kbit]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQrhA6QtWOM[/youtube]

I'm not a big Elliot Smith fan, in fact I only have the album this song is off, but what a wonderful song it is.

[Big Mon]

Nick Drake.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrje1P9k_qY[/youtube]
fix'd
If you can get fluent enough with just your thumb and index finger, then you can "banjo" pick, and just start incorporating other fingers from there. I only use a pick when I wanna play surf or black metal( and sometimes not even then).

[Chankgeez]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ-uLV2pPD4[/youtube]

[Big Mon]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ-uLV2pPD4[/youtube]

[WeHuntKings]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ-uLV2pPD4[/youtube]

in my top ten albums ever

[Chankgeez]

You just watch Mr. McDowell's right hand.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMr_JcW1qAs[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myctFmIkc5A[/youtube]

[Big Mon]

You just watch Mr. McDowell's right hand.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMr_JcW1qAs[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myctFmIkc5A[/youtube]

I definitely like you.

[Chankgeez]

I definitely like you.

Thank you, kind sir.

[Chankgeez]

You wouldn't do badly tryin' to play like this man either:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iYdFNkEq0Y[/youtube]

[Chankgeez]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8vOTKMqzw4[/youtube]

If you're feeling adventurous.