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Post by ninworks on Sept 24, 2020 10:36:46 GMT -5
I have always been a nekkid finger picker whenever I wanted to play that style but I have always liked the sound of a thumb pick and steel finger picks on a steel stringed acoustic. I bought some years ago thinking I would learn how to use them. Well, I didn't. I tried but failed miserably.
Now that I'm retired I thought it was time to re-visit the possibilities. I tuned the Guild to open D to start with. First I tried just the thumb pick. A bit awkward but I got the hang of it after messing with it for about an hour. Still not good at it but getting comfortable with the feel.
Next were the steel finger picks. At first it was mayhem. I started moving them around on the tips of my fingers to get them adjusted and repositioned. That helped a LOT. I don't think it's going to be as hard to learn using them as I thought it would be. It's still a little foreign but coming around.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Sept 25, 2020 10:42:31 GMT -5
Be patient. Your fingers/hands just have to relearn where to position themselves to adjust for the finger picks. For *some* songs/styles, including bluesy stuff, the finger picks make a world of difference - they really add punch, volume and character (brash or nasty or ). Best of luck - keep at it. I don't use mine all the time (use a thumb pick with bare fingers the most), but you're right; the main thing is getting the angle of the picks right on your fingers so they hit the strings squarely, then some time to adjust to the different height from the strings.
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Post by windmill on Sept 30, 2020 20:46:08 GMT -5
Sounds a familiar story
Have had a thumb pick and metal fingerpicks for years
every once in a while I get them out give them a go for half an hour, just cant get the hang of them and put them away again
But I have started again and just like the OP have started with thumbpick only.
Still taking a bit of getting used to after half a dozen tries.
I have cut the length down till it just extends past the thumb in the hope that no extra movement will be required.
might try the finger picks next week
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Post by LTB on Oct 1, 2020 0:06:41 GMT -5
Be patient. Your fingers/hands just have to relearn where to position themselves to adjust for the finger picks. I tried them a few years ago. Gave them a good run and was starting to get the hang of them then for reasons I cannot remember I stopped and when I tried almost a year later I got frustrated and put them away. Wish now I had stayed with it because it sure made things sound better!
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Post by hushnel on Oct 1, 2020 12:54:30 GMT -5
I often use the thumb pick, I’ve tried the picks on other fingers but prefer my finger nails, I keep them short so the don’t break.
My biggest problem is when playing guitar in the circle groups. Like the Song Farmers, I don’t own a Dreadnought, my OO15 and smaller yamaha parlor get drowned out. I may do the stealth thing at the one this coming Saturday. Parlor with wireless connection to the Phil Jones Double Four in the canoe basket “o) it worked with the Ibanez Acoustic Bass at an outdoor pre 1840 setting.
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Post by LTB on Oct 1, 2020 13:31:34 GMT -5
Parlor with wireless connection to the Phil Jones Double Four in the canoe basket “o) it worked with the Ibanez Acoustic Bass at an outdoor pre 1840 setting. I had to look up "Canoe Basket" and "Pre 1840 setting". LOL I forgot you mentioned you do the pre 1840 stuff. I guess the Canoe Basket is your stealth plan? Great idea! Also wasn't familiar with the Phil Jones Double Four amp. That looks like a cool little amp and should have plenty of power. I say go for it
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Post by hushnel on Oct 2, 2020 11:17:34 GMT -5
I’ve had a few battery powered bass and guitar amps over the years. I even made up a power inverter, utilizing a motorcycle battery Off road rig., to power my Fender Rumble 40.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 2, 2020 15:43:49 GMT -5
I've learned to do it both ways interchangeably. It's true the picks give you more projection. But the also tend to give you a lot of clickety clack. I prefer bare fingers. Bit for performances I do finger picks so I can make sure the guy in the back can hear me.
Here is a sample of me just doing the bare finger thing and only using two fingers.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 2, 2020 15:48:44 GMT -5
and then here is with fingerpicks.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Oct 3, 2020 12:49:03 GMT -5
Nice demos! Nice pickin'!
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Post by windmill on Oct 3, 2020 19:17:24 GMT -5
Very nice
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Post by windmill on Oct 15, 2020 0:14:26 GMT -5
So, after 4 or 5 attempts, about 10 minutes each time, I am finally getting the hang of the fingerpicks.
Today was the first time I could bash my way through a tune hitting most of right strings and notes at the right time. ☺
I have spent more time just with the thumbpick and fingers in order to master that before I put on the fingerpicks.
Happy with the progress and the volume change with a regal resonator is noticable.
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Post by hushnel on Oct 15, 2020 16:05:23 GMT -5
Yeah, that’s they way to do it. A little finger memory practice over a period of time make the process easier and often quicker. I practice using my fingers in assorted patterns too. Anthony Wellington got me started using all the permutations of four finger patterns on the bass. Some of those patterns when I started were near impossible for me. Making the pattern wires your brain , each time it gets easier.
1234. 2134. 3124. 4123 1243. 2143. 3142. 4132 1324. 2314. 3214. 4213 1342. 2341. 3241. 4231 1423. 2413. 3412. 4312 1432. 2431. 3421. 4321.
The practice is started with the first row placing the first finger at the first fret, follow the pattern as fast as you can, one fret advancement at a time, keeping the same pattern from the 1st fret up to the 12th. Do all the patterns starting with 1; then move to the second row starting with the second finger on the second fret etc.
I found patterns in this exercise that my fingers had trouble doing.
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Post by 6l6 on Oct 22, 2020 20:19:19 GMT -5
I learned how to use a plastic thumbpick and two or three metal fingerpicks back in 1965. I sure struggled to get it down, but I finally did. Believe me, it IS the way to go! Just hang in there and give it an hour a day if you can. I use Dunlop 0.013 metal fingerpicks. They are easy to mold to the shape of my fingertips and give a great sound, no matter what guitar I'm playing. 6
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Post by windmill on Oct 23, 2020 19:17:27 GMT -5
They are just like mine ! Glad to know I am using topline gear. Not putting in enough regular time, but will try for more this week. Pretty much got the thumb pick dynamics sorted, and not far off with the finger picks, just not there yet.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 23, 2020 23:35:16 GMT -5
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Post by windmill on Nov 3, 2020 16:36:38 GMT -5
Today it only took a minute or so to get the hang of using the finger picks. Am finding my index finger is a problem. It might be the angle it hits the strings but it frrls slightly awkward and doesn't have the volume of the other fingers. But it might get better with practice
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Post by ninworks on Nov 3, 2020 16:46:10 GMT -5
That's the same problem I'm having. Turning the pick on the index finger where it strikes the sting at a 90 degree angle helps but I still have some readjusting to my hand position to make it work, or at least that's what I think I need.
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