Pick With Thumb-Middle-Ring Fingers?

bob Ousby · From: Nevada, USA

Just curious to see how many pick with their thumb-middle-ring fingers as opposed to thumb-index-middle fingers. I know some pick with their thumb-index-middle-ring but am interested in seeing if anyone is leaving out their index finger. I was watching a Dick Meis video this weekend and he is using the middle and ring. As I tried it, it felt more natural. I've always felt that my index finger was a little sluggish and that my 4-5-6 grip was unbalanced in sound. But with using the T-M-R, it is precise. The 6-8-10 grip will take a little work (due to distance) but it is coming along. There was a post by Nathan James back in July about this very subject and not a whole lot of response...Bob

Randy Gilliam · From: San Antonio, Texas, USA

Bob I Pick With My 2 Middle Fingers! I Cut The Tendon On My Index finger When I Was 16 And Cannot Bend it. I Guess It Works For Me I Have No Choice. Randy Gilliam. Very Happy

Bill Dobkins · From: Rolla Missouri, USA

I use a Striat pick with a metal on my middle finger, due to a simular accident.
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Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I basically said my piece on this subject there - http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=162040

In the end, I think it's worth trying a few things long enough so you can see what works best for you. Videos I've seen of Dick Meis show him using thumbpick, middle, ring for pedal steel and flatpick, middle, ring for guitar. As I said on the other thread, if I was gonna ditch the index finger, I'd probably try to replace the thumbpick for a flatpick to give me much more agile up-and-down alternate picking.

I think the reason you're seeing very little comment on this kind of thing is that the vast majority of pedal steel players use thumb, index, and middle, possibly adding the ring in addition to that. The only real advantage I can see to ditching the index finger without adding a flatpick is to be able to go back and forth with a flatpicked guitar a bit quicker. But I don't see why it can't work fine for you if that's what you want to do, especially if you're having problems with the index finger. What do you have to lose? Whatever you decide on, it will take a lot of practice to make it right.

Ray McCarthy · From: New Hampshire, USA

I pick most triads with the thumb, middle and ring, using the index only for the lower triad (6,8&10) and any 4-string 6th chord, which I use quite often. I'm not sure how this developed--I think it just felt more natural to me in the beginning.

Zach Keele · From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA

Although he wasn't a steel player, Jerry Reed picked Thumb, middle, ring. Most of us here probably play guitar with a flat pick, middle, and ring. I guess if it works, it works.

Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

I use a combination of all 4 depending on the grip. When I was playing non pedal for a while I found it especially helpful to have all 4 fingers available.
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Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

I absolutely agree with Zach, and others who realize that if you look at great pickers there is GREAT VARIETY IN TECHNIQUE. Since you mention guitarists, you might think of Atkins, Travis, and even Jerry Reed as guys who played a similar style -- 'thumbstyle', 'Travis picking' or whatever you care to call it. Merle played with a thumbpick and a single fingerpick on his index finger; Chet was classically trained and used all fingers, with only a thumbpick and fingernails; Jerry Reed left out the index finger. So there's a guy who ONLY used his index finger and thumb and one who left that one out.

Same is true of steel players. I think a much higher percentage of steel players use a thumb and two fingerpicks, but many do use three. A very few play with no picks but that's extremely uncommon for people who play for a living.

I think a beginner should be shown how MOST of us wear and use picks and not be pressured to conform if something else is comfortable (and REASONABLE). You can watch a guy like Boogie Sherrad play with a flatpick at any tempo and most any style and realize that a good player finds his own technique and it becomes part of his individual style.

I personally favor thumb and index. I crosspick that way and usually play two string combinations with those thumb and index. When I saw Buddy Emmons play I realized he favors the thumb and middle finger and I kinda reevaluated.

The bottom line is different styles require and spawn different techniques. Nothing is technically wrong or right if it works.
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Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

I can't remember his name but the guy who used to play with Eddie Rabbit who was also on the video of "On Second Thought" played with a thumbpick and fingerpicks on his middle and ring fingers. I think he's deceased now.....

Nashville session ace guitarist Brent Mason uses a thumbpick and acrylic nails on his middle and ring fingers. He has the nail clipped short on his index finger and uses that for special "popping" effects. For his lightning fast single string work he'll use the Thumb, middle, & index finger and can play as fast or faster than any flatpicker I've ever seen.

Personally I use a thumb and fingerpicks on thumb, index, and middle fingers on both guitar and steel but on occasion I play some stuff on guitar using only the thumbpick without the fingerpicks and find myself gravitating to the middle and ring fingers. I tried using the picks on steel that way but it really screwed up my blocking as I block a lot with my doubled under ring finger......JH in Va.
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Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

Ned Davis was Eddie Rabbit's steel player. He is deceased. Jody.

Don Drummer · From: West Virginia, USA

It just occured to me after reading Ray McCarthy's post, if the traditional 3 finger player wanted to use 4 fingers; adding the ring finger, the best way would be to shift the metal finger picks to the middle and ring fingers, get used to that, THEN, reintroduce the index finger and Bingo! you got all four. Thanks Ray you are a genious. I think I'll try it. Don D.

Don Drummer · From: West Virginia, USA

I tried this yesterday and didn't have much difficulty not using my index finger. I reintroduced the ring finger and it was interesting. Made me re-think the right hand positioning. Went back to the t,i,m and man that felt weird. Kinda disturbing actually Whoa!

Don D.

bob Ousby · From: Nevada, USA

Don...Know what you mean! T-M-R at this point feels more natural. At times I'll go back to T-I-M and the index finger is even lazier! With T-M-R, the blocking will take a little more effort, but since I've posted this, the ring finger seems to have won the job! I appreciate everyone chiming in on this post as well...Bob

Bobby Snell · From: Austin, Texas

I bet y'all could put that nudie index finger to work on single-string harmonics...

I'll "chime in" here and agree with the philosophy of using whatever technique that will get the sound, not always what is technically correct and/or easier.

bob Ousby · From: Nevada, USA

Bobby...And that may be a good possibility. There may still be a place for him as I have experimented with T-I-M-R...Bob

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