Finger Picks That Are Not Noisy

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Hi, what type of finger picks are the best when looking for some that have a warm sound, and are not noisy?
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Melody Freeman

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

I imagine most pedal steel players use National or Dunlop picks, and the "blue Herco" thumbpick is also popular. There is no shortage of other designs but on the end managing pick noise and producing balanced tone are pretty much a right hand thing.

One thing that you can do to build right hand technique is to practice without an amp in a quiet(ish) room. You'll have to "pick it like you mean it" to hear it, and as you make that adjustment your blocking skills will improve from controlling the strings you just picked with exceptional verve and elan.

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

If your picks are straight on your finger they will make more noise. Rotate them to match up with the angle your picking has. Mine is pretty far, but that's just me. You'll find your picking is more accurate too, maybe. Mine are Kyser Old Style.

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Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

The Forum store has a good selection of finger picks including some celluloid ones that might serve your needs. Click on the "ACCESSORIES" tab at the top of this page

John Sims · From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Brass picks seem to have a mellower tone for me...
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Jim Cooley · From: The 'Ville, Texas, USA

Any picks can be noisy to some degree. It's a matter of refining touch and overall technique. That comes with practice and experience.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I use National picks for steel and have no problems with noise. I use two brass National picks, along with a National thumbpick, and they work really well for pedal steel.

Paul Mageau · From: Maine, USA

How about a thumbpick and fingernails ? Lots of variation of tone possible between the nail and flesh of the finger.

Dave Magram · From: San Jose, California, USA

Jon Voth · From: Virginia, USA

I use picks that are cobalt plated. Easy to find. Some reviews are that they are smoother and quieter. Who knows if it really makes a difference, but it could be a tiny factor.

John Larson · From: Pennsyltucky, USA

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I bend my picks round quite far.
It helps my hand to assume the shape that Jeff Newman advocates in his videos

[EDIT]
BTW these are modern Nationals. I tried several brands but these stop me thinking about picks, so they're doing something right Smile

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Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

I have 3 pairs of old National fingerpicks that I just love.

The striking surface is pretty flat on this generation of picks.

Apparently, some are more "spoon shaped" than flat.

Here is an older discussion:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=357636
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Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

My typical picks are Dunlop .025 and I bend the blades and rotate them much like Rick shows. I don't notice any pick noise.

Dave Magram · From: San Jose, California, USA

Hi Melody,

Regarding brands of picks, there are many personal favorites of Forumites--which is fine: "Each to their own", I always say.

However, with all due respect to the many great and helpful players in our SGF community, I tend to pay more attention to what the full-time professional musicians use.
- I figure that they have a lot more riding on their equipment and accessory choices than part-timers like me do. Very Happy

FINGERPICKS: I have watched many videos of the master players like Paul Franklin, Buddy Emmons, Joe Wright, etc--and the only brands of fingerpicks I recall seeing these top pros use are National (mostly) and Jeffran (made by Jeff Newman, and identifiable by the diamond-shaped holes in the band).

Years ago, I learned that there are 7 grades of "nickel silver" alloy, and that the old Nationals used the second softest alloy grade.
The soft alloy allows the fingerpick to grab the string more effectively, producing more tone and volume--and less pick noise.
I suspect that Jeff Newman used the same grade of alloy that were used by National, since the tone I got from these two brands was very similar.

Today, the old Nationals sell for big bucks--if you can find them.
● A good modern choice would be the National “re-issue” NP2 “nickel-silver” fingerpicks, or the Dean Hoffmeyer “nickel-silver” banjo fingerpicks (which use an alloy similar to the old Nationals).
● I have heard good things about banjo fingerpicks made by Warren Yates or Richie Dotson, both of which apparently also use a “nickel-silver” alloy similar to the old Nationals.
● I personally do not like Dunlop fingerpicks because their flared bands, while very comfortable, have a tendency to “catch” on each other (or on the strings), and the alloy used does not produce the best tone, IMHO. And FWIW, I do not recall seeing any of the top pros using them.

Whichever fingerpick brand you choose, take some time to shape the fingerpick blade-angles and bands to maximize picking effectiveness and comfort--and to minimize pick noise.

A great tip I learned years ago on the SG Forum to maximize comfort and minimize slippage, is to adhere a pair of eyeglass nose pads inside your fingerpick bands.
- You can buy a package of self-adhesive eyeglass nose pads at your local pharmacy for about $2 for ten pads. However, these wear out after a few months and must be replaced.
- Even better: About a year ago, I started using eyeglass nose pads made of silicone. These do not seem to wear out and work great. Here’s what they are called on Amazon: “TOODOO 18 Pairs Eyeglasses Nose Pads Adhesive Silicone Glasses Replacement Anti Slip Nosepads for Eyeglass Glasses Sunglasses (Transparent, 1mm)”.
- Cut each pad in half and adhere each half-pad inside each fingerpick band where the band crosses your fingernail grooves.
- If the silicone pads seem too slippery, try roughing the pad surface with a bit of sandpaper.
- Current price on Amazon for 18 pairs (surely a lifetime supply!) is only $6.99!
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THUMBPICKS: I noticed that many of the top pros (especially the pick-blockers) used short-blade thumbpicks: the Blue Hercos or the red Dunlops.
I did too for many years, but noticed that both the Hercos and Dunlops would loosen up from the body heat in my thumb, and halfway through the set, I would have to switch to a "backup" thumbpick or else see the thumbpick fly off my thumb never to be seen again. Very Happy

Then I heard on the SG Forum about Fred Kelly "Speed Picks'. Not only do these not loosen while playing, their clever blade "tongue" design prevents them from slippage no matter how hard you strike the string--and the material they are made of seems to never wear out!
I prefer the "heavy" white Fred Kelly Speed Picks--and they only cost about $1 each.

- Dave

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Don R Brown · From: Rochester, New York, USA

I'm not sure exactly what kind of "noisy" you mean, Melody. But on one of Jeff Newman's videos, he discusses the need to strike the strings in a straighter manner, rather than at an angle. I don't recall specifics but he says the "wrong" way produces a "chink, chink" effect.

You might experiment with just randomly playing a few notes as you usually do, then deliberately angle your hand so you are picking 90 degrees - straight across the strings. If that seems to cure it, try to find that particular lesson - it MIGHT be "Right Hand Alpha" but I'm not sure. It's in the part where h discusses hand position and how to orient your arm, wrist, hand and fingers.

Hope this helps.
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Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Thank you. I appreciate all of the information and advice from all of you!
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Melody Freeman

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