finger plucking

[/ˈfɪŋɡər ˈplʌkɪŋ/]
noun
dedilhado
1. A guitar playing technique where the strings are plucked individually with the fingers rather than using a pick or plectrum
The classical guitarist demonstrated beautiful finger plucking during the concert.
O violonista clássico demonstrou um dedilhado belíssimo durante o concerto.
2. The act of playing a stringed instrument by plucking the strings with one's fingernails or fingertips
Finger plucking allows for more control and dynamics than using a pick.
O dedilhado permite mais controle e dinâmica do que usar uma palheta.
3. A specific style of folk or acoustic guitar music characterized by this technique
Finger plucking is common in folk and fingerstyle guitar music.
O dedilhado é comum na música folk e no violão fingerstyle.
Finger plucking is deeply rooted in classical guitar traditions and folk music from both Brazil and the United States. In Brazil, it's a fundamental technique in samba, bossa nova, and choro music. American fingerstyle blues and folk traditions also heavily feature this technique. The term 'dedilhado' is universally understood among musicians in Portuguese-speaking countries.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
fingerstylefingerpickingpluckingfinger style
Antonyms / Antônimos
strummingpick playingflatpicking

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dedilhado
Most common term used in Brazilian Portuguese for this guitar technique
Rio de Janeiro
dedilhado
Standard usage, may also hear 'tocada com dedos'
São Paulo
dedilhado
Standard usage in musical contexts
Portugal
dedilhado
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; also may use 'tocada com os dedos'

Related Words

guitarstringsfingerstyleacoustic guitarplectrumtechniqueclassical guitar

Related Idioms & Phrases

fingerstyle guitar
classical plucking technique
finger-picking pattern
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