Moving from 3 picks to 4

Bill McCloskey · Posted 4 Jul 2005 6:19 am

Since getting my 12 string MSA Superslide, I've gotten the bug to play more jazz and am interested in Reece Anderson's style of playing. As a result, I've just added a 4th pick (on my ring finger).

The initial sensation is that my ring finger feels week and uncoordinated compared to my usual 3 picks. I wonder if any one else has made the switch, how long it took to get use to the additional pick and if they have discovered any useful exercises to strengthen the ring finger?

Howard Tate · From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.

I talked to Joe Wright about that, he says just keep wearing it every time you play and you'll get used to it. I wonder if the fourth pick lends itself well to palm blocking, it seems to work better with pick blocking, just my opinion.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Sierra Session D-10
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George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

Years ago when I had my Hawaiian radio show, my right index finger became infected leaving me little choice but to move my picks. I became so used to the third finger pick, I have used 3 picks (plus thumb)ever since. The only hangup is the inability to get those neat thumb behind the finger high harmonics. Never did master those !

[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 04 July 2005 at 09:33 AM.]

Gregg McKenna · From: South Windsor, Connecticut, USA

I use 5 picks with a 36 string autoharp

Gary Boyett · From: Colorado

Wow- 36 strings! How long is the bar for that thing???

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HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

What Howard said. Just put it on and eventually you'll get very used to it.

I remember going from 3 to 4 picks and how unnatural it felt. It took awhile ( can't remember how long) but now it would feel strange to not have that fourth pick.

Travis Bernhardt · From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Just a ditto. Play with it, use it, practice grips, rolls, and crossovers with it, and you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

For some specific drills, Joe Wright's Technique Bundle has pages and pages of drills you can do. Nothing you couldn't figure out on your own, but it's nice to have it written down on paper in front of you, so you can go through them in a methodical way--worked for me, anyways.

-Travis

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Keoki-You too, eh. since I went to 4 picks, (blame it on Reece).
I too can't play my harmonics with thumb and that finger anymore. I had that trained real well for even fast arpeggio's with harmonics. Well, win some lose some......al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

Al, I feel naked without that third finger pick....goodbye harmonics.

Travis Bernhardt · From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

You can still do knuckle harmonics with the third finger. Not as "poofy" sounding as using the pad, though.

-Travis

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

Travis...that would only make me a knucklehead !

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

(DUPLICATED IN ERROR)

[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 07 July 2005 at 01:42 PM.]

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

I have had very good success with players who expressed an interest in using three fingers picks by suggesting they place the pick comfortably on their finger then "not using it at all" until such time as they no longer notice it being there.

Adding a pick and expecting the mind to immediately start using it is similar to someone who's comfortable juggling three tennis balls, and someone suddenly handing them a fourth. The mind is simply not equipped to handle such things immediately.

I have noticed that those who play with their little finger extended have more difficulty adapting to the third pick than those who play with it tucked under.

In my mind persistence and patience is the key, and the musical reward which comes as a result of the third finger pick makes the effort worthwhile.

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

I have always used 3 finger picks (and always used plastic). What Reece says is really good advice.... I only use mine when going for big chords, but it all happens totally without thinking abut it.... if it's on my right hand, it has to carry part of the work load (:>)>=[

(Course I learned on a '70 MSA, so it's probably genetic huh Reece?)

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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
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Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I started out on steel with two fingerpicks. But I have played 6-string guitar for many years with a flat pick + two finger picks (middle/ring). Reading posts/articles by both Reese and Bobbe Seymour on the advantages of having more fingers made me think: "I already use a pick on the ring finger with guitar - why not for steel too?". Thanks Reese and Bobbe. It did force me to make a bit of an adjustment for blocking, but it wasn't too bad.

When I started out with the ring finger pick on guitar, I did exactly what Reese and others have suggested: just put it on, and use it when it seems like it'd be useful. After a few months, it started to be useful. Bingo.

Jon den Boer · From: Vancouver, BC, Canada

I took classical guitar lessons as a kid, and of course the ring finger had equal use and importance as the others, so when I took up steel just a year ago it seemed very natural. My right hand feels naked without it.

Jon

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I went from (2) to (3)-finger~picks in the very early ’50's when I switch from my (6)-str. Supro to a 10-str. Alkire EHArp Tuning. I guess a good rule of thumb (pardon the pun) when deciding whether to try it or not, depends (there's a pun again!) on what type of tuning you are using! If your tuning is the type that can be ‘strumed’ generally, (2)-finger~picks would suffice, but; for a more complicated type of tuning, you really need the extra finger for the proper reach to get certain combinations of grips/notes. I also found that when I used (3)-finger~picks, my sound was a little too full at times, because; I was picking too many strings at one time. So, over the years I slipped back to the (2)-pick style. I think a lot has to do with the style you wish to play. Actually listening to Buddy Emmons a lot, encouraged me to lean back toward just (2)-finger~picks! Also, although my harmonics always did leave a lot to be desired, I have no problem using either my Ring~finger or Pinky curled under/behind the thumb~pick¡

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“Big John” Bechtel
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Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

I have had "Trigger Finger" , there was a story on it on another post,in the last two weeks. The bad one is right on my third finger and I just might have to go back to 2 finger picks again, after all these years.

But I am still trying to keep that pick going, as it is so good with full chords that I like to play.

Thanks to Reece for getting me to use 4 picks about 35 years ago.....

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 13 July 2005 at 05:19 PM.]

David Doggett · Posted 13 Jul 2005 5:07 pm

Years ago when I started on folk and blues guitar I used 4 picks. When I picked up Dobro, lap steel and pedal steel, I just kept them all, including a metal thumb pick. I didn't use the ring finger much until I switched to 12-string universal. Now I use it for the occasional full chord. I have always played all these instruments with my little finger extended, and don't see any problem with that. I mostly finger block. But palm blocking is not affected by the 4th pick. However, knuckle blocking with the ring and pinky turned under is something I never do. You do loose the ring finger for harmonics. You can do it with the little finger, but it is more awkward. However, palm harmonics with the edge of the palm work fine once you get use to it.

The ring finger is the most awkward of all the fingers, partly because it is somewhat connected to the middle finger. If you put your palm down on a table and raise each finger alone, the ring finger has the least flexibility. But if you raise it with the middle finger, it can raise just as high as the middle finger. Piano players have whole sets of exercises to improve control of the ring fingers of each hand.

Rick Alexander · From: Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Of all the methods for single string harmonics, the one that works best for me is the pinky knuckle. Especially for arpeggios . .

Some grips require 4 picks, and those 3 fingerpicks really fatten up the chords. Like Dave I played 6 string with a flat pick and 2 finger picks, so it just seems natural.

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