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Topic: finger picks vs. no finger picks |
Josh Sharpe
From:
Waycross, Georgia, USA
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Posted 25 Mar 2007 11:13 pm |
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| im just getting started at steel and i was wandering...i seem to play a lot better at this point with out finger picks. anyone have a advice about problems i might run into doing this? |
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Bob Grado
From:
Holmdel, New Jersey
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Posted 26 Mar 2007 3:59 am
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I played for years without picks.. The major problem I ran into was nail breakage. Remember when you play "pickless" your picking with you fingernails, not the meat of the finger.
I got tired of breaking a nail before a gig and trying to get through the night. There were times when my fingers were bleeding after a 4 set gig.
I've been playing with picks the last year or so and I kick myself for not doing it sooner. My tone is better, I can finally hear the lower register strings and my sustain has dramatically increased. My single note work is not where I want it to be but I'm getting there.
You asked for advise? Start with picks now, practice at least an hour a day with them, and you should feel comfortable with them in a couple f months. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 26 Mar 2007 4:44 am picks
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Since you are just beginning and learning anyway, I would strongly advise you to get used to the finger picks. Seems to me, especially for speed pickn' and fast stuff, you get a cleaner sound with more definition.
However, many folks play just fine without them. You can check out this thread currently running on for other views on the subject: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=105661 |
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Dennis Schell
From:
Shingletown, Shasta county, Kalifornia
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Posted 26 Mar 2007 6:36 am Re: finger picks vs. no finger picks
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| Josh Sharpe wrote: |
| im just getting started at steel and i was wandering...i seem to play a lot better at this point with out finger picks. anyone have a advice about problems i might run into doing this? |
I think most everyone feels that way at first, I did, and I doubt that anyone "enjoys" learning to play with finger picks. They feel odd and seem to get "tangled up" in the strings and in general are a nuisance at first. Overcome this! If you feel as "some" players do that you get "better" tone with bare fingers with some songs then you can always take them off now and then! Don't do as I have done and play with bare fingers for decades and THEN try to get used to using picks. Learn the "right" way first, with picks, and then experiment later if you feel your tone "suffers" somehow from their use. Personally, I feel that finger picks are a part of PSG's "sound" or I wouldn't torture myself with learning to use them at this late stage of my playing development....
Bare fingered pro pickers are in the minority by far and that tells you something....right?
JMO,
Dennis
_________________
"Bucks Owin"
Last edited by Dennis Schell on 26 Mar 2007 6:40 am; edited 2 times in total |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 26 Mar 2007 6:37 am
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Better to know how to play w; picks & still play w: bare fingers when you feel like it
rather than to play w: bare fingers & not know how to use picks
picks are awkward at first - w: time one gets used to them
picks allow better attack & execution, better tone, & pick blocking of course |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 26 Mar 2007 7:37 am
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I play both steel and lead guitar with my finger picks and will never change. I can't play as fast on either instrument without them. All that said, each way has it's own merits. I like the pickless tone much better on guitar and do that on occasion, especially when doing Travis style picking but for regular single note lines I just can't do it as good without picks. I like to do some Travis things on steel also and I'm able to do it cleaner without fingerpicks as it's easier to "pick block" that way. For all other steel playing I think the picks give you a cleaner and brighter tone. Lastly, what works for one doesn't always work for someone else so you should just go with what works best for you.......JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Josh Sharpe
From:
Waycross, Georgia, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2007 8:23 am
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thanks to everyone for their advice. this place is so great.
i think i am going to try my darndest to learn with finger picks but if it comes down to learning to play or not learning to play i'll lose the picks if i need to.
josh |
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Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 26 Mar 2007 7:42 pm
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A better question than "Should I wear picks?" would be "What's the best way to wear picks?"
For example, I wear my thumb pick fairly short bladed and with about 1/3 inch of its loop end cut off so that I can use the meaty edge of my thumb to block with. I also wear my finger picks curled up close to the shape of the end of my finger like Doug Jernigan does. Some players wear their finger picks sticking way far out from the end of their fingers like Reece Anderson for one. Some players prefer long bladed thumbtacks too. These are somewhat serious concerns if you really want to play this thing.
You'll get used to the picks and end up thankful that you endured the initial struggle of learning to wear them. |
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A. J. Schobert
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Posted 27 Mar 2007 3:25 am
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| Josh wear the picks truthfully they really are not that hard to get used to, get with someone to show you how to bend them. You will get better tone from the picks. |
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John Coffman
From:
Wharton,Texas USA
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Posted 27 Mar 2007 3:47 am
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Picks are the way to go in my book. Trick is finding what works for you. Picks do not have to be uncomfortable but they should stay on easy. I have used the Rusty's picks since before Christmas and enjoy them. Best of luck
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ShowPro SD10, Mullens RP, Bose S1 Pro, GK MB200, MB500, Bugera T50 Tube amp with SlidgeRig, TC HOF reverb effect. |
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Brandon Ordoyne
From:
Needville,Texas USA
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Posted 27 Mar 2007 4:48 am
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I started learning with finger picks,I have had good luck with the National finger picks and Dunlop thumb picks. 
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'74 Emmons D10 P/P 8x5,'15 Rittenberry D10 8x5, Peavey Nashville 112, 400 & 1000, Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Hilton, Goodrich L120, Boss DD-3 and RV-3 |
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Marlin Smoot
From:
Kansas
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Posted 31 Mar 2007 2:08 am
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| I vote ... Picks |
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Eugene Cole
From:
near Washington Grove, MD, USA
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Posted 31 Mar 2007 2:24 pm
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I basically quit using fingerpicks more than 10 years ago. This said; for some tunes the fingerpicks are part of the sound and are essential. So do not rule out their use.
Since you are just starting the substantial tip I can offer to you is to get used to using all four of your fingers and your thumb now (with or without picks).
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Regards
-- Eugene <sup>at</sup> FJ45.com
PixEnBar.com
Cole-Luthierie.com
FJ45.com
Sierra U14 8+5 my copedent, 1972 MSA D10 8+4, and nothing in the Bank. 8^) |
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