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Topic: Pics of your picks? |
Tommy Everette
From:
Whitakers, NC
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 9:21 am |
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I haven't used picks so I don't know how they're bent to avoid problems and bad habits.
Any pics of how your picks are bent?
I like the feel of finger on string, but after much input, I believe I'm going to HAVE to learn to use them to get all the guitar has to offer. 
Last edited by Tommy Everette on 21 Mar 2011 9:01 am; edited 4 times in total |
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Benton Allen
From:
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 9:32 am
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Hi Tommy!
Although most of us do use finger picks, there is no reason to feel that they are a necessity. Some of the greatest players in the world, for instance, Bobbee Seymour, routinely play without finger picks. If finger picks do anything, they seem to contribute to more consistent tonal quality when recording.
Just my opinion, your mileage may vary. 
Cheers!
Benton |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 10:14 am
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What the picks will do, especially on the thumb, is allow you to apply more energy to the string, tighter, sharper attack and greater signal-to-noise being the main advantages. It also allows for more precise finger-blocking.
Playing without picks affords a mellower sound and, yes, better "feel" for the strings.
I rarely use picks with a conventional guitar, be it 6 or 12 string, acoustic or electric. On the other hand I rarely play dobro or PSG without them. Just my own preferences here but I'm glad to have made the effort to be able to do either at will as the situation - and the muse - may indicate. |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 10:16 am
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| Hey Tommy...I'd highly recommend that you give the picks a shot if you're a newbie. At the very least, learn with a thumbpick! I find myself playing without fingerpicks all the time when I'm home practicing, and yes I do like the feel and sound of skin on strings. I think it's really good to be able to have both approaches in your bag of tricks, especially when you're playing on stage with a band! |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 11:21 am
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Picks allow you to play much louder, and with time and experimentation the clicking noise can be minimized. This means that you can get varying tones by playing louder or softer, whereas with fingertips alone it's just soft and non-existent, pretty much. And with picks, you can put in the six hours of practicing you'll want to. I do have to use a thumbpick at least, the geometry of my hand just doesn't let me play without that.
I'll often start playing without fingerpicks, but if something grabs me I've learned I better get the picks on. The loudness and bite of the picks means it's eventually less tiring to go after something that takes a lot of practicing. |
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Chris Dorch
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 6:07 pm
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No... but...
If you don't want to use picks, you can always grow out your fingernails... |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 6:24 pm
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If you like the sound you get without picks, then go that way. Most of what one hears on recordings is done with picks and would be hard to achieve without them. Go for whatever sound pleases your own ear and taste.
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Mitch Ellis
From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 7:11 pm Re: Is using no picks okay on steel guitar?
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| Tommy Everette wrote: |
I like the feel of finger on string. Am I going to HAVE to learn to use them to get all the guitar has to offer?
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I don't know. But look at your fingers and thumb!Ouch!  Tone, style,who uses them and who don't, personal preference, etc,etc,....put all of that aside and get some picks on! Have a great day!
Mitch |
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Olie Eshleman
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 20 Mar 2011 9:44 pm
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I'v been playing for about 6 years now and have just recently starting using a thumb pick on occasion, mostly for palm muted parts on the low strings of my U12. I can't stand playing with finger picks, but then I have hard nails that I keep a little long, seems to give me enough string attack. Same thing goes for 6 string fretted. As far as volume goes, thats what your amp is for!
When my fingers hurt, it's usually because I don't turn my self up enough and then have to play too hard in order to hear myself properly.
I will not, however, argue against the sound that the many great players who use picks get. I may eventually put in the time to learn the chimes and pick blocking techniques with picks, but it's not worth my time at the moment, as I can take care of these basic jobs with my fingers enough to satisfy me for now. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 5:48 am
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better to know how to play w: picks than without
rather than know how to play without picks than with
playing with or without have their own style & sound -
so why not not play both ways  i do |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 6:06 am
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You can do whatever you want. But bear in mind that there is a reason that 99.9% of players use them, including some of us who don't use them when we play finger style 6 string.
Never say never.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Tommy Everette
From:
Whitakers, NC
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 6:28 am
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looks like I better man up, and put on some picks!  |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 7:36 am
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I've just recently in the last three or four months quit using fingerpicks entirely. In the past I've tried to do some Travis style things on steel and never used picks for that as I thought I could block the lead notes better with the fingertips but everything else I used picks.
I always played lead guitar with both thumb and fingerpicks but awhile back I tried a set of acrylic nails on all four right hand fingers for six string. I started practicing at home without fingerpicks but using them at the gig and kind weaned myself off of them. I don't think I'll ever go back. I have some tracks at home and one of them is "Rocky Top" which I've found I'm able to play it cleaner and clearer and up to speed without the fingerpicks so they're gone for good......JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Tommy Everette
From:
Whitakers, NC
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 7:41 am
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| Jerry Hayes wrote: |
I always played lead guitar with both thumb and fingerpicks but awhile back I tried a set of acrylic nails on all four right hand fingers for six string. I started practicing at home without fingerpicks but using them at the gig and kind weaned myself off of them. I don't think I'll ever go back. I have some tracks at home and one of them is "Rocky Top" which I've found I'm able to play it cleaner and clearer and up to speed without the fingerpicks so they're gone for good......JH in Va. |
Still using the acrylics or straight fingers? |
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Larry Hamilton
From:
Amarillo,Tx
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 1:36 pm
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Tommy Dodd has come up with a great set of picks that stay on. I bought a couple sets in Dallas and ofter a week of adjusting and using I really like them. give him a call.
_________________
Keep pickin', Larry |
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Larry Hamilton
From:
Amarillo,Tx
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 1:37 pm
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Tommy Dodd has come up with a great set of picks that stay on. I bought a couple sets in Dallas and ofter a week of adjusting and using I really like them. give him a call.
_________________
Keep pickin', Larry |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:22 pm
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Tommy Everette
From:
Whitakers, NC
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:30 pm
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Are they turned a little sideways?
and, whats up with your index finger? 2 picks?  |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:41 pm
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They're turned so they hit the strings correctly. The index pick I made by silver soldering another blade to the pick. My thumbpick is very short. I can "brush" chords with the index pick, but it's even more useful when I have to grab my Tele. I finger pick everything on 6-string. I can put my thumb against the index pick, and use it just like a flat pick if I need to. Those picks are 30 years old, and are so comfortable that I have fallen asleep with them on. Just be careful where ya sratch when they're on!
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Tommy Everette
From:
Whitakers, NC
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:46 pm
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| John Billings wrote: |
| The index pick I made by silver soldering another blade to the pick. My thumbpick is very short. I can "brush" chords with the index pick, but it's even more useful when I have to grab my Tele. I finger pick everything on 6-string. I can put my thumb against the index pick, and use it just like a flat pick if I need to. |
Whats the extra blade for?  |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:48 pm
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| Added note; With the picks worn at an angle, I don't have to bend my wrist. I'm able to keep it straight, which is very comfortable, and much less tiring. Just sit down at your guitar, hold your wrist straight, and you can see the angle that the picks need to be worn at. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:50 pm
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"Whats the extra blade for?"
Brushing chords on steel, and being able to play anything I want to on 6-string. I've always done "double-duty" as the steel player and the lead guitar player. |
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Tommy Everette
From:
Whitakers, NC
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:52 pm
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WOW!!!!
WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!! |
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Tommy Everette
From:
Whitakers, NC
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:53 pm
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| John Billings wrote: |
"Whats the extra blade for?"
Brushing chords on steel, and being able to play anything I want to on 6-string. I've always done "double-duty" as the steel player and the lead guitar player. |
Need a better picture of that contraption  |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2011 2:59 pm
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I just got the single pick to fit the way I wanted it to. Got another pick, and cut the blade off. Soldered the tips together. Simple, and very effective. "Form follows function."
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