How Many Fingerpicks Should be Worn?

Lawrence Lupkin · From: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Clearly only two and a thumb. Razz

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

Thats one cute future steel player thats for sure!! Very Happy

_________________
Twang to the bone!

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

I wear four and a thumbpick, or I wear none at all.

Richard Damron · From: Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Three plus a thumbpick if you want to get fuller chord voicings.

Lawrence Lupkin · From: Brooklyn, New York, USA

I would hazard a guess that her thoughts revolve more around full bottles (even full diapers) than full chords. First walking, then talking, then C6th.

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

1 finger pick on the thumb
3 thumb picks on your fingers
and swim fins on the feet Laughing

_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

Ken, I kind of felt like I was set up like that in my band this morning, I really had an off day.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

Jason Hull · Posted 16 Aug 2010 2:37 am

No picks! I like to feel the strings, and I don't sound like every other steel player.

Thomas Butler · From: Robbinsdale, MN

I think it depends on how many people are involved.
_________________
LDG and a Twin Reverb - what more does a guy need?

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I wear a thumbpick and two fingerpicks like a lot of steel players do. I wear a National thumbpick and I think two Dunlop fingerpicks.

Brett

Rick Lodholz · From: Wisconsin, USA

I guess it all depends on what's being served...BUT I'm pretty sure you use the fork on the left first!

(Lawrence-Sorry just couldn't resist it-I use one thumb and 2 finger picks).

Regards

Rick
_________________
The Early Bird May Get The Worm...But The Second Mouse Gets The Cheese!

74 LDG-George L Pup & cables, NV 400 w/extreme mod by Ken Fox, Hilton Pedal, Tama Throne.

International Sho-Bud Brotherhood Member # 1974

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

I think they should all be worn...from lots of playing.

Michael Douchette · From: Gallatin, TN (deceased)

I use one and two, but... however many you want. When you take them out of the box, take your head out of it, as well, from time to time.
_________________
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/

Bob Vantine · From: Freeville, New York, USA

1-THUMB PICK Oh Well

0-FINGER PICKS Whoa!

0-TALENT

0-CARES

1-HECK OF A LOT OF FUN Laughing

_________________
EQUIPMENT:
"TEAK" ZUM STAGE-ONE Steel / C6th Lapsteel
Peavey NV112 , CLASSIC and EFX112 amps
Peavey Guitars

Johnny Baker · From: Southport, Fla

experiment and decide, there is not right number of
picks, nor way to wear them. It is totaly up to
you and what is best for you. I use a thumb and
and three finger picks, leaving my little pincky
bare. Works just fine for me.

Jim Saunders · From: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Try this experiment: Place your right hand flat, palm down with all fingers extended. Then simply tap each finger up and down. I can easily tap my index and middle finger, but not my ring (3rd) finger. I can also tap the little finger. It's just my ring finger doesn't cooperate. Then, when I put a pick on it, it confuses my whole grip. Try it. If it moves like the other two, then you could probably use it for picking.

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

I like 3 finger picks for playing 4 string 6th style chords.
On E9th type stuff I use the first 2 most of the time and it doesn't hurt to have an extra one on there.. Shocked

_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes

J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

I wear the "standard" 2 & 1, but I think that ideally, on an instrument with the voicing capabilities of the PSG... The Texan secret - 3 & 1 would be the ideal setup. I have tried it several times... I just get entangled hopelessly.

... J-D.
_________________
__________________________________________________________

Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"

A Little Mental Health Warning:

Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.

I say it humorously, but I mean it.

Tom Karsiotis · From: Oregon,Ohio

Reso with Bluegrass - Thumbpick & 2 Fingerpicks (need the volume)
Reso at home - Thumbpick and 3 fingers (easier to block strings)
Lap Steel C6 - Thumbpick or the strings buzz and sometimes 2 Fingerpicks
Telecaster & Les Paul - Fender heavy flatpick and middle and index fingers(no picks) - Sometimes I put the pick in my mouth to play comps or arpeggios.
Classical Guitar - No Picks (unless I'm doing a Willie Nelson tune)
Flattop Guitar - Same as electric except sometimes no picks.
Archtop Guitar - Flatpick only (Freddy Green style)
Bouzouki - Flatpick
Pedal Steel - I'm still figuring out that one but wearing shoes helps.

I have no idea why I have ended up with these arrangements. It just happened over the years. As far as fingerpicks go, I've never liked them. I only use them when I have to. I tried the plastic ones like Bob Brozman uses but I couldn't get them to fit comfortably. I tried boiling and refitting but it didn't help.

Duane Reese · Posted 24 Aug 2010 2:54 pm

1 thumb and 2 finger on D-10
1 thumb and 3 finger on S-10

One more finger pick replaces most of what I use on the C6th neck.
That's just me though.
Well, not just me, but anyhow...

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

Thumb pick and three finger picks.

Piano players use their thumb and all fingers (both hands) classical guitar player use their thumb and all fingers...so why should the steel guitar be limited in any way. Practice, develop the coordination...their all yours Wink

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic