"Fingerstyle applies to all guitar music in which a plectrum or guitar pick is not employed. However, the term is commonly understood to designate not only a technique but a range of musical genres.

The style originated in the late 1800s and early 1900s as Southern African-American blues guitarists tried to imitate the popular ragtime piano music of the day, with the guitarist's thumb functioning as the pianist's left hand, and the other fingers functioning as the right hand.

Music arranged for fingerstyle can include chords, arpeggios and other elements such as artificial harmonics, hammering on and pulling off with the fretting hand, using the body of the guitar percussively, and many other techniques.

Although most often performed on the 6 string acoustic guitar, it can also be performed on the 12 string guitar. The twelve string guitar produces a richer, more ringing tone than a standard six string guitar. Essentially, it is a type of guitar with a natural chorus effect due to the subtle differences in string timbre between the 12 strings." - Darren Curtis Skanson