Guitar playing/plucking Technique

[Zack]

After switching between drums and bass in various bands for the past 7 years, I have finally settled on guitar for the long haul. However, I have found that I am not comfortable with a pick. I play with my hand in a plectrum-holding position (sans the pick), striking the string(s) with the nail of my index finger when I riff, and strumming with the outer rim of my thumb. It seems when I attempt the same with a pick, my speed is slowed and I don't feel that I have enough control. I am also concerned with other factors attributed to this case (wear and tear on my fingernail/thumb, amp & volume issues, etc).

 

Not that this isn't something that could be cured with a little practice, but I was just wondering if there was anyone else that used this sort of technique. I really feel that it is best suited to my playing, and would like to stick with it. I would also much appreciate any feedback you guys can give. Thanks.

[Werewolf by Night]

Well, that's very similar to what I do, that is, the picking-hand "technique" (or lack thereof) that I use. I play without a pick pretty much, oh, 110.98% of the time...

 

I think of my approach as being a sort of bastardized fingerstyle, borrowing from but probably insulting to traditions such as classical, flamenco, jazz, and bluegrass.

 

I find that I can do well if I keep the nails filed round and just long enough to have something to work with; too long, and they're more prone to getting chipped, broken, toredown and messed-up, not to mention actually hanging up on the strings.

 

I use either the nail, the pad, or a combination where the pad supports the nail, for lots of upstrokes. I'll use the surface of the index nail for pick-like downstrokes. And I'll pull and pluck the strings, sometimes letting them snap back against the frets for a spankin' Tele-like response.

 

I use my index nail as if it were a pick a LOT lately, doing alternate-picking and everything. If that nail's not up to it, I can and have relied on the middle-nail to do the same duties, though it's definitely more comfortable and natural with the index-nail.

 

I use a nearly "frailing" (banjo-type), brushing sort of approach when playing rhythmic chordal "strum" type stuff, using several or all of my fingers and thumb; maybe it's a little bit like what some bassists do, to.

 

I apply a small amount of a "sport/waterproof"-type sunscreen (bear with me here) that contains silica to each nail on my picking hand, rubbing it in. After that has had a chance to dry, I then apply a slathering of some heavy-duty "repairing"-type hair-conditioner- the type that is supposed to repair and restore damaged strands of hair and split-ends- rubbing that in good, as well, and also letting that dry on.

 

This, repeated daily at first and at least two or three times a week after a while, really strengthens and even thickens nails in time. And I play heavier strings than most people- .011 to .050 and .012 to .052/.054 on electrics, and as high as .014 to .059 rw on acoustic flat-tops. My nails tend to hold up well enough against those gauges!

 

I also try to remember to eat jello often, take multivitamins, and geletin capsules from time to time. And once in a blue moon, I'll apply some topical nail-nutrient stuff I found once, to the cuticles (sp?). I also push back that cuticle skin on the nails. All of the above, 'cause I hate using a pick! And I refuse to resort to any artificial or add-on nail junk.

[musicalhair]

Along the same lines as Caevan said, there are many ways to hit a guitar string. Check out the "Pumping Nylon" by Scott Tennant books for a good start on nail care, classical, and flamenco technics. There is more than one version of it, and I think there is even a DVD.

 

You can make a lot of progress with fingerstyle guitar, so you don't need to use a pick at all-- especially if you already play bass fingerstyle.

 

Learning to use a pick takes a while, and just settling in on the right pick takes a while too.

[Robman2]

Stroke away..

 

I do, and switch back to picks for some doouble picking Jazz and Surf riffs.

 

Leo Kottke has gone from finger picks to skin. That'll bring callouses.

 

Doyle Dykes has acrylic nails and uses a Fred Kelly thumb pick.

 

Johnny Hiland uses a flat pick at times but also has acrylic nails for most of his technique.

 

They are amoung the best of the best and yes many others fingerstyle as well.

 

Rob

[Werewolf by Night]

By the way, I'm not a fingerstyle player by default; when I started I was 100% pick, and went through quite a few different types of picks before I settled on what I did like.

 

If I dropped the pick, it was as if my right-arm had suddenly fallen right off- I was helpless! I couldn't play a damn thing without it!

 

I forced myself to find a way to cover in case I dropped a pick, and eventually morphed into "that guy who can't help you when you ask him for a pick" at jams...

[I I mjrn]

Actually the method yo describe is a lot like Jeff Back's, so you'r ein fine company!

 

Lots of people forego picks; it's really a question of what works for you.