Dave da Dude Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 I saw a posting a few weeks ago where a young man was just starting playing electric guitar and wasn't used to playing with a pick. I meant to comment, but couldn't find it again. This is meant for the young man asking the question. If anyone else wants to, or feels compelled to, feel free to comment. The overwhelming response was to learn to play with a pick. I've played for about thirty-five years, mostly acoustic, mostly without a pick. I took lessons for a while and learned to (almost) play just as well with a pick. I'm currently trying to play electric. I do NOT use a pick. Yes, it sounds different. So what? Do you want to sound like everyone else or have your own style? Last night I took out my Raven (gasp, piece of crap), put it through my CryBaby 535Q and into my Roland JC 55 with distortion at 8 and (auto) chorus on. With the Wah full on (with volume full on) I played "Night Train" and "Tequila" and "Walk Don't Run" (like the Ventures) and it sounded perfect (compared to what's in my head). And I played it without a pick. A hard pluck of a string or strings gave a mellow, distorted, ringing sound. I've been trying to duplicate this sound for thirty years, and I just now stumbled accross it. But..... Play your style, not someone elses. It's good to try different things, but stick with what YOU like. Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 Yeah, develop your own style. Toy Caldwell (Marshall Tucker Band) used his fingers. A couple of months ago, I was in Mars Music here in KC. I could have sworn I heard Pat Martino in the aisle right behind me, playing these blistering jazz lines. I had to see who was playing this stuff...a guy in his mid to late 20s I'd guess, one of the Mars staff. He was only using his fingers. Made a believer out of me. Whatever works for you. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 Learn both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 I think Robby Krieger of the Doors played without a pick. He had a flamenco and jazz background so he just stuck with that when he started playing rock guitar. Whatever works! It would be cool to learn both ways. --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 Lindsey Buckingham doesn't know what a pick is. I usually play electric with a pick but use my 2nd and 3rd fingers to pluck along with my pick sometimes. On acoustic I play about half and half pick and pickless. -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 I use both, most times every song. I do bastardized banjo rolls and Travis picking, so I just roll the pick up in my palm and bring it out when I want more attack on the strings or the odd harmonic Billy Gibbons accent. When I play slide, its almost all fingers, unless its something that needs a pick. It does open up alot of sonic possibilities being able to swap back and forth. Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincinnatirock Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 I use a hybrid picking technique. I use a pick in combination with my fingers. This is a cool technique because it allows you to do leads that have "string skipping" much easier. It took a while to develop the skill, but I am very satisfied with the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mile Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 I use both. Play lot of classical stuff, flamenco, rock, blues, country... You name it. It's good to now how to play guitar both with your fingers and with pick. That way you don't have limitations. If it sounds god, just play the darn thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlh Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 Jeff Beck is one of the great non-pick users. He uses his thumb a lot and that frees his other fingers. He will often wrap a finger around the volume knob, another around the vibrato arm and pick a note using his thumb and a steel guitar style palm harmonic all simultaneously. It is a treat to see and hear. When I decided to learn to use my fingers for other than folk picking patterns, I just stopped using a pick at all for about 10 years. I got satisfied and went back to alternating or using the combo style mentioned above. I still use mostly fingers, but sometimes a pick just sounds better. Being able to play similarly with a pick or fingers is really useful when you suffer the embarrassment of dropping your pick right out in front of God and everybody too! But never fear, you're safe with me... Well maybe. - Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrix Posted June 1, 2002 Share Posted June 1, 2002 I was also gonna make the point about Jeff Beck. He says he gets much more contol/variety of tone with his finger. Use your flesh , your nail, and use all the subtle nuances in-between. Cant do that with a pick. After reading this in a J. Beck interview some time ago (no I dont recall where it was)I use this technique with my electric occasionally - but Im still more used to the pick. I have gotten some good results though - consitent with my friend Jeffs points. Another is Mark Knopfler. Cant do his stuff with a pick ( I cant do it in any case - but thats another story) Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted June 1, 2002 Share Posted June 1, 2002 Mostly fingers & thumb, but a pick at times... Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted June 1, 2002 Share Posted June 1, 2002 I've played almost exclusively with my fingers for 26 years. I do use a pick on electric from time to time, but I'm not very proficient at flatpicking. I do recommend you learn to fingerpick, flatpick and combine them (hybrid picking). It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted June 1, 2002 Author Share Posted June 1, 2002 Thanks for all the feedback guys. I hope this helps the guy that is starting out with electrics. Thanks to you who mentioned the fingernail usage. I meant to mention that, but forgot. I even intentionally let my right hand fingernails grow a little longer (I'm right handed). When hitting a full chord with a 'snap' of your fingers, it's possible to get even more volume (the reason I thought I wanted an electric guitar) than with a single pick because, in effect, you've got three or four picks (fingernails). Again, thanks, Dave. Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wewus432 Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 I've tried every kind of pick and fingerpick and spent hours and hours trying to maintain my fingernails and finally just started using fingers only and if the fingernails are on there good if not, to hell with it, just play. I play lead lines with a classical technique, alternating the first finger and the middle finger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 3, 2002 Share Posted June 3, 2002 yeah I love that! I had a guitar teacher who was a classical player and we mostly played acoustic during lessons. I started out playing electric, and the fingerpicking we were doing sort of migrated to my electric playing. I`m not good at holding a pick while playing with my fingers but I like playing the electric with just fingers a lot-I don`t let my nails grow but I can get nuances from my fingers that are inmpossible with a pick. Having said that, if we`re talking about speedy riffing type stuff, for me a pick has it. I came across a line of exotic-material picks about a year ago-the company is Dugain, from france. Since then I`ve appreciated both styles more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingerstyle_Jim Posted June 3, 2002 Share Posted June 3, 2002 I started with a pick, but now I'm totally fingerstyle. No one has mentioned Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, he did amazing things with a strat and no pick, Jim http://www.mp3.com/jimgraham My SoundClick Page My New Music Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted June 3, 2002 Share Posted June 3, 2002 Im a picker I cant use my fingers right - I have no nails too /me is a biter... *runs* Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyM Posted June 3, 2002 Share Posted June 3, 2002 Nolykin, you don't need nails. The tips of the fingers is a great technique. Real flesh on string. Listen to anything by Laurence Juber. An amazing acoustic and electric guitarist. Tips of the fingers is cool, besides I'm a biter too, and that's how I play fingerstyle acoustic, and occasionally electric. JonnyM It's cooler in the shade... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Originally posted by Fingerstyle_Jim: ...No one has mentioned Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits... Jim [/url]Actually, he was mentioned by Kendrix 6 posts prior to yours! I didn't mention him because he'd been covered already. The man an incredible fingerpicker. He's been working on a new solo album too... It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Originally posted by JonnyM: Nolykin, you don't need nails. The tips of the fingers is a great technique. Real flesh on string. Listen to anything by Laurence Juber. An amazing acoustic and electric guitarist. Tips of the fingers is cool, besides I'm a biter too, and that's how I play fingerstyle acoustic, and occasionally electric. JonnyM Hmm... perhaps I should work on it... I cant strum with my fingers for donkeys... and I havent even attempted "fingerpicking" - playing 2 or more strings at once with multiple fingers - yet... its just TOO SCARY!! /me runs Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingerstyle_Jim Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 OK, I didn't see the Knopfler mention because it was stuck way down at the bottom(that's my story and I'm stickin' to it). Anyway, if anyone is looking for guidance in the fingerstyle area I have some free lessons online at: http://www.wholenote.com/member/profile/plessons.asp?i=1614 These are geared for the flamenco/classical genres but they are basic to all styles, Jim My SoundClick Page My New Music Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Picks, fingers, both, but no fingernails! I am amazed people do that. I love the sound of flesh on the strings, so fat and rich. For really fat and rich a little upright bass technique is awesome, where you pluck the strings with the whole side of your first two fingers, pointing them towards the bridge. Even when I use a pick, which is the standby, I grab parallel sixths and tenths with my fingers. You can learn a lot in a hurry by breaking a couple strings, dropping the pick and making it though the song anyway! I love to play classical on a big steel string dreadnought Collings with the meat of my fingers, not the nails. Glorious! Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wewus432 Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Damn Ted: You must have some monstrous fingers! On that other thread you said you killed a set of Elexir's in three hours, and now you're playing classical on a Collins. Please be careful with those digits. Why are you amazed that people use fingernails? Some of the finest fingerstyle guitarist in the world use nails for the superb tone and control you get. I just got tired of the hassle of nail maintanence. I'm not giving you a hard time here, just like some clarification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyM Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Ted, I share your enjoyment of "fingertip" style playing with those incredible guitars made by Bill Collings and his gang. I accidentally played an OM-2H a couple years back. My wife bought it for me on the spot, and I've never found a nicer sounding guitar. And believe me I never stop looking. JonnyM It's cooler in the shade... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wewus432 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Excuse me for misspelling Collings on this and that other thread I just noticed that. It won't happen again. I assure you. I know you were sitting there going, the dumb fu wants to talk about guitars but he can't even spell the name of the maker. GET OFF MY BACK! I CAN'T HELP IT! What's your problem? Do I look like a dictionary to you? Thank You That concludes today's performance of the distraught, emotionally disturbed poster. I hope you were sufficiently annoyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted June 6, 2002 Share Posted June 6, 2002 Originally posted by TheWewus: Excuse me for misspelling Collings on this and that other thread I just noticed that. It won't happen again. I assure you. I know you were sitting there going, the dumb fu wants to talk about guitars but he can't even spell the name of the maker. GET OFF MY BACK! I CAN'T HELP IT! What's your problem? Do I look like a dictionary to you? Thank You That concludes today's performance of the distraught, emotionally disturbed poster. I hope you were sufficiently annoyed.... ... *pats you on the head* *smiles* *reaches for the straightjacket...* "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted June 8, 2002 Share Posted June 8, 2002 Originally posted by Ted Nightshade: Picks, fingers, both, but no fingernails! I am amazed people do that... TedGlad you enjoy using your fingertips instead of fingernails. However, I find my finger nails provide equally brilliant and warm timbres with far more volume. It's a pain to care for nails, but I have no intention of changing from what I believe to be a far superior timbre. My opinion. To each his/her own. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyM Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 Why on earth would you consider changing the style of fingerstyle that works for you? Everyone was expressing their opinions as you say, but why the defensive post? I love the sound of an accomplished guitarist playing with their fingernails. It's just not something I am inclined to do as per my previously mentioned handicap. Enjoy JonnyM It's cooler in the shade... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEHpicker Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 I agree with most of the previous posters: if it sounds good...do it! However I thought I'd put my 2 cents in. The flat pick allows for some hellacious fast pickin and depending on the thickness of the pick you can produce some great tone...but fingerpickin produces a variation of tone depending on what part of the finger is pluckin the string. I usually use both. Sometimes when fingerpickin I use a spot just between the flesh and the nail. Sometimes you get nail sometimes flesh sometimes a little of both. Whats great about that is you sometimes surprise yourself with an unexpected sound/tone that keeps your riffs sounding fresh and unique. One of the great things about the guitar as an instrument is that there are soooooo many sounds and styles that you can play. Almost never boring. I always fingerpick when playing slide. Not only does the tone sound superior (my opinion) but you can easily dampen the strings that you don't want to hear with the fingers your not using. Anyway thats closer to 3 cents so I'll just shutup already. SEHpicker The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." George Orwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Hey Picker, Yer .03 was worth a nickel. & ablolutely true. Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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