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Topic: Pick question |
Randy M Brown
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Posted 20 Dec 2015 1:04 pm |
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Hi Everyone,
I am new to the pedal steel and have a pick question.
Are there finger picks for the index and middle fingers that are designed in such a manner that when you pick with the I & M fingers they are "square" to the strings. When I bend my right wrist slightly to the left to palm mute my picks on the I & M fingers tend to slight off on the right side of the picks instead of "square". Any and all ideas, methods, or good old tricks would be appreciated.
Thanks MERRY CHRISTMAS
Randy B |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Tim Russell
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2015 1:58 pm
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If I understand you correctly...
The natural curve of the wrist while playing is such that the player does strike the strings at an angle, not perpendicular to the strings, or "straight on."
You can see in this video, over the shoulder of the player that his wrist is curved, and the picks aren't hitting the strings straight on. My natural wrist position is even more curved than in that video.
I think it varies from player to player too, as to how your hand naturally lays on the strings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAWhYthzOSc
_________________
Sierra Crown D-10 |
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Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2015 4:34 pm
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every player bends and twists their picks to suit the way that they play . its a personnel preference thing
so just bend and twist em till your happy with them
took me a year of off and on adjusting before i got mine "just right "
_________________
proud parent of a sailor
Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!
Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2015 7:09 pm
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I've had terrible problems with the omnipresent Dunlop fingerpicks and the so-called "comfort curve" that both hurts like hell and forces the things to exactly the wrong position as you note.
IF you can find old-style National fingerpicks - or some like ProPiks, although the segmented "grip" portion always seems to "catch" on the strings for me - they are far easier to shape to whatever angle you need. Some have also squashed the Dunlops flat to be able to shape them like Nationals.
I have to bend mine to slight angles as well, and keep the tip fairly straight but short - I also play Dobro and banjo (more Dobro than steel or banjo, actually) and find it helps on each one to work out a shape that works on all 3.
I've tried a few of the very expensive "boutique" picks and found tem a complete waste of money.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 21 Dec 2015 2:43 am
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I started out with Dunlops, as they're omnipresent over here too, but I also had the "catching" problem as I improved my right hand shape. So I tried Jeff Newman picks which have a narrower band to eliminate that, and I'm sticking with them for now. They certainly help if you're trying to emulate his hand position.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 21 Dec 2015 4:05 am
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Here's how I shape and wear mine. I don't have a problem with getting caught on the adjacent strings, but it feels like I strike them on an up stroke.
Notice the wear pattern on the faces of the picks. I strike them on the left side of the picks, as they show being polished and even eaten away, while the right side still have the factory dull finish.
It appears that striking square on seems to invite more pick noise, while striking at an angle gives a cleaner tone, at least for me and my former teacher.
Hear Vic Jordan's banjo playing here for an example of the pick noise (Vic is good, but that right hand drives me crazy): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Srs3zD_8jWY
Although SOMETIMES pick noise can be artistic. Check out Buddy Cage at about 1:45. This ride doesn't sound as cool when played clean. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RNWXQmKbFjU
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Randy M Brown
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Posted 21 Dec 2015 8:53 am pick question
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| Thanks for the many good ideas. I have a lot of work to do!! |
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Tim Russell
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2015 2:00 pm
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Lane,
That is exactly how I wear mine - and I see you are using Dunlops. I used them for many years, but like a lot of guys complain about, I would have to be careful not to get the "top" of the pick caught in the adjacent string.
I've since switched to Nationals, Propik, and a couple others that don't have that flange on the top like Dunlops do, and I haven't had that issue since.
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Sierra Crown D-10 |
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