Fingerpicking exercises

A relaxed hand is one that is comfortable, if it's trying something beyond it's capacity it will tense up. The better you play the less tense you'll be and the less tension there is the better you'll play. The best way to kickstart this very productive little cycle is through the repetition of specific exercises. Those presented here will encourage new neuromuscular relationships, develop proprioceptive ability and focus on technical difficulties that are generally related to postural dysfunction.

The tendency to look down at your hands, driven by the need to place them accurately at the strings.
The common practice of locking your hand in position by resting a part of it on the guitar, usually the wrist or the little finger. (This is certainly restrictive of the right hand but it is arguable how much extra tension it will create, it depends on what you're playing)

Make sure, as always, that as soon as you notice any muscular tension you slow down and reassess your approach. These exercises are not for beginners, if you are looking to learn fingerstyle I'd strongly suggest that you find your self a competent teacher, there are simply too many ways to get it wrong.

Exercise 1

This one will develop independence of the thumb and fingers. If you want to comfortably play independent bass and rhythm parts, or bass and melody parts, you'll need your thumb to imitate the piano players left hand while your fingers take on the role of the right hand.

This exercise is in common time, accent the bass notes with the thumb

This is the same exercise written in 6/8. Accent the melody notes on the 1 and the 4.

Exercise 2

These exercises move your right hand up and down the strings. You need to be able to locate the string you're after without looking at it. It's essential for your posture and once you've got it you're speed and accuracy will improve markedly.