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Post new topic Bare-Finger pickin'
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Author Topic:  Bare-Finger pickin'
Charlie Fullerton

 

From:
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 4:47 am    
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For about 50 yrs, I have been playing at Sp. Guitar with bare fingers. When I play at steel, I've always used a pair of Nationals -- mostly because everyone else was, and to get the extra "attack"! I recently saw someone, no idea who, on TV playing "bare" fingered. I would like to get some of the pro's and con's!
I've got a Supro 6, and, you should pardon the expresion, a D-8 Guyatone -- what can I say -- the price was right!
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Bill McCloskey


From:
Nanuet, NY
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 6:29 am    
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I posted on this very topic a few weeks back. Try doing a search, it should pop up.
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Sam White R.I.P.

 

From:
Coventry, RI 02816
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 7:20 am    
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Check with Bobbe Seymour he plays with no finger picks.
Sam White
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Don Kona Woods


From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 9:07 am    
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A rhetorical question -

When you do bare-finger picking, does the callouses on your fingers affect the tone?

Aloha,
Don
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Rick Collins

 

From:
Claremont , CA USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 9:29 am    
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...don't like bare-finger picking.
...sounds too much like bare-finger picking.
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Matt Lange

 

From:
Wisconsin, USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 10:01 am    
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I think it's all a matter of style and preference. I play with bare fingers primarily because i play "spanish" guitar fingerstyle without fingerpicks, and becuase two of my very favorite players, Kelly Joe Phelps and Ben Harper, play without picks. That was enough for me.
I think if i played Hawaiian style music i'd probably transition into using fingerpicks, but for folk/blues type stuff i play, i think bare fingers is the way to go.

------------------
my music: www.myspace.com/mattlangemusic
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Jesse Pearson

 

From:
San Diego , CA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 10:09 am    
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Bare fingers makes it harder to make clear harmonics with the side of your right palm, that's the only down side I see. You can do strong knuckle harmonics on single strings no problem. Picks sound better, but are a hassel for me to deal with because I switch between steel and guitar during a song sometimes. A thumb pick would solve the problem but it's too late for me personally to switch over.
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Charlie McDonald


From:
out of the blue
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 10:21 am    
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I like the feel of the strings.
I make no claims for control.
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Billy Wilson

 

From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 12:20 pm    
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Doesn't Bobbe pick with the finger nails?
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Bobbe Seymour

 

From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2006 1:31 pm    
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Yes he does, and very well too!

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Charlie Fullerton

 

From:
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Post  Posted 9 Mar 2006 3:47 am    
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I have found, with my very limited experience, that it is a trade off. With picks, you usually get better "attack": without finger picks, "finger blocking" is alot easier. For me, a thumb pick is always part of the equation.
Thanks guys, Charlie
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James Quackenbush

 

From:
Pomona, New York, USA
Post  Posted 9 Mar 2006 12:00 pm    
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Yes he does, and very well too!

I'll second that !!......
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Smiley Roberts

 

From:
Hendersonville,Tn. 37075
Post  Posted 9 Mar 2006 2:18 pm    
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The BIG "E" did a show w/ Johnny Bush at the "Midnight Jamboree" w/ a thumb pick,but NO finger picks. Ya coulda fooled me. I thought he was wearin' 'em.

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  ~ ~

©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com


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