Should I learn acoustic guitar via strumming or finger-picking?

Learn strumming first so you can concentrate on the left hand forming chords and moving between them. Then, when the chords are 'automatic', and you don't have to think hard about them, then learn some simple finger-picking patterns.

It all depends. Classical/flamenco style guitarist use finger picking techniques because the music they play require it for most music pieces. More pop, rock, indie...modern music is normally played with a pic. But to be really honest with you, it all comes down to personal preference. If you like a song that is played/recorded with the musicians using pics, no one says you can't play it finger picking instead. For example, a song with the chord progression A-C-Db (using the I, IV, V progression) could be played while finger picking, or use a pick and strum the chords...music is suppose to be fun, so play what you want and how you want friend!

You have to learn both techniques. I start new students off with "strumming" just so they can start making some music, but as soon as they can form a few open chords I start to introduce a little fingerstyle technique - usually just playing a bass note with the thumb and plucking the chord with three fingers.. Oom- Pah Oom Pah Oom Pah sort of thing. Later - we get into more complex picking patterns. The main thing I like to do is establish the correct hand position - a lot of self-taught finger-pickers have very bad hand position/technique that will hold them back later. But it's not like it's two different instruments - both techniques are part of the right-hand mastery you'll need to be a guitar player. After you've played for a while you'll go back and forth without even thinking about it. Good luck. Many songs require you to shift back and forth between those styles in the same song - it's really all part of playing guitar. Even classical guitarists have to "strum" at certain points.

You don't have to play the song exactly as the original. You can make your own version. So, if you learn to make arpeggios with plectrum, you can do all songs with arpeggios that way, or fingerpicked, etc. Best alternative: learn at least a bit of all those techniques, so you've got a broader range of tricks to work with. Knowing only how to strum or only how to fingerpick is sort of a handicap.

You can do either or. With an an acoustic, You can strum or finger pick. You should strum with a pick then try with your finger. There are some picks that wrap around thumb. I would rather pick with a pick but if u have the nails for it, you can finger pick.

Both. The two techniques compliment each other and you will be a better player for knowing about each.

use guitar hero.