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Topic: technique: fingerpicks |
Matthew Warman
From:
here and now
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Posted 10 Oct 2008 4:04 am |
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| I don't know if this question has been discussed before, but I'd like to ask if there are any pedal steel players out there who prefer playing without fingerpicks, just a thumbpick? Either playing at home, at a semi-pro or at pro level. What do you think are the pros and cons of either technique? thanks! |
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Tamara James
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Posted 10 Oct 2008 4:45 am
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there are several who play without picks. Bobbe Seymour for one. Seems to be purely a personal choice from what I have read.
this is as close as I get. Propick. Protects my fingers from the strings, yet I can feel them. Best of both worlds I think. I use the regular thumb pick.
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Danny Bates
From:
Fresno, CA. USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2008 5:14 am
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Just last night I sat down and played with a guitar pick and bare fingers and I was amazed at the results.
I have my fingernails cut short but could still get some fingernail attack and good tone. It felt like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders because I get pain in my fingers from fingerpicks.
I'm on a quest to develop my own style and the guitar pick really helps things sound different. I don't know how many hours I can remain pickless before my fingers turn to bloody stumps. I guess I'll have to find out the hard way! |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 10 Oct 2008 6:22 am
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better to know how to play w: picks than w: bare fingers
rather than know how to play w: bare fingers & no picks
do both
thumbpick is essential |
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Bob Simons
From:
Kansas City, Mo, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2008 6:31 am
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I am more subtle and precise without them but I can't get my hand in a position to block without finger picks.
_________________
Zumsteel U12 8-5, MSA M3 U12 9-7, MSA SS 10-string, 1930 National Resonophonic, Telonics Combo, Webb 614e, Fender Steel King, Mesa Boogie T-Verb. |
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Jim Robbins
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 10 Oct 2008 8:12 am
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I used to play with picks and now I don't -- not even a thumbpick. I play with a combination of the front side of my nails and fingers which I learned from playing classical, & not the flat of the nail. This keeps your hand in pretty much the same position it would be if you were playing with picks, so you can do palm blocking. Of course you have to build up callouses but since I do a fair amount of chicken pickin' on six string I've got callouses on two right hand fingers anyway. My fingers sometimes get sore if I'm doing some marathon weekend practicing but otherwise they're fine.
I like my sound on steel without picks -- it doesn't seem like any trade off for tone. It's also a lot more convenient on gigs when doubling on six string not to have to put on your picks. For dobro, on the other hand, I use picks -- there, you really need metal on metal. |
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