Ten months ago, my left-hand index finger and I went through a little adventure: surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture. Since then, we’ve been in daily “recovery training” — thirty minutes of stretching and strengthening every single day.
Progress? Slow. Very slow. So slow that a second surgery might be in my future. But I’m not giving up. For guitar players, our hands are our treasure. Getting older might bring its share of interesting surprises, but we keep going, adapt, and try not to lose our smile (or our sense of humor).
If you’re new here, you might also enjoy my Flatpicking Guitar 101 Crash Course — it’s a free beginner-friendly guide to get you started with solid picking technique.
Why Endings Matter in Guitar Playing
While I’ve been working my way back to full strength, I’ve been reminded of something important: a great ending can turn a good song into a memorable performance.
That’s why I just uploaded a new flatpicking guitar lesson on YouTube: how to end your songs in the key of C with style.
A Closing Lick from Low C to High C
In this lesson, I teach a beautiful closing lick in C that starts on the low C note and climbs all the way up to the high C on the first string, 8th fret. It’s a quick journey, but packed with expression.
We’ll go through the lick note-by-note so you can play it cleanly and musically. I also cover two essential techniques that make this lick stand out:
Dynamics — controlling volume for expression
Ritardando — slowing down naturally to signal “this is the end”
These tools aren’t just for this lick — they’ll improve your overall guitar phrasing and give your endings more character.
Watch the Free Flatpicking Guitar Lesson
You can watch the full lesson here: https://youtu.be/gYwDPf4JU9I
Whether you’re a beginner learning your first C chord or an experienced flatpicking guitarist looking to polish your arrangements, this lick is a great way to give your songs a professional, satisfying ending.
Music and Life: Both Are a Climb
In a way, this lick feels a little like my recovery — starting low, moving step by step, and enjoying the journey to the top. Whether you’re climbing the fretboard or climbing out of a challenge, every step counts.
So pick up your guitar, try this lick, and see how it changes the way you finish your songs. And if you’d like to learn more bluegrass flatpicking licks, you can explore my Flatpicking Experience channel, where I share exclusive licks, arrangements, and techniques.
Happy picking,
Roberto