Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

BlueSnMettle

BlueSnMettle

Michaelewski
Who here does not use a pick. Artie's post about Jeff Beck a little while ago came to the surface, in my ever twisted mind, about 11 1/2 minutes ago. Soooooo, I picked up my geetar and really tried to dig in and play some otherwise picked licks. I like it. I know, we've all used our fingers as plectrums before, but there are definitley some organics achieved when using them digits. Anybody abandoned the pick for good? I'm thinking of setting it down for a while and see what happens? Thoughts? Thanks.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

I've thought about it, but for louder rhythm it's really needed. I'm going to start trying it again.
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

It's all I used to do. I still do all the time, but now I'm back to a pick mostly. Aint nothin like the sound of that string poppin back and hittin the board.
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

beandip said:
It's all I used to do. I still do all the time, but now I'm back to a pick mostly.
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:question:

j/k beanie, I know what you mean. Wait, no I don't. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: Does anyone speak Beanise. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: Sorry BD, I couldn't resist.
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

I'm a texas redneck, c'mon, that's like a whole 'nuther breed. Least I aint speakin coonass (just yet)
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

I've gradually played more and more finger style over the years - partly from playing acoustic only for a long time, although I'm pretty good with a pick, too. :)

fingers give you more dynamic range, and more variety as far as chord techniques .. a lot of jazz voicings are 3 and 4 part chords that lend themselves to finger style techniques

also, arpeggios have endless variety played finger style

for digging in, and projecting, picks are great; for a lot of other styles, finger style is the way to go

and, Darrin, I think SRV used every way of pulling on those strings! :)
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

The best of both worlds is to develop a good pick AND fingers technique. Danny Gatton did a beautiful job of doing just that.
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

I can play fast solos equally well with my fingers or with a pick.

But when it comes to strumming rythym parts I need a pick. And if I'm playing acoustic guitar and want to be heard, I'll use a pick.

When I'm playing lap steel or resonator guitars I can go either way but tend to play with my thumb and fingers as it softens the tone for slide and sounds warmer and rounder.
 
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Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

I use a pick primarily, but supplement with fingers at times for certain effects.

Jeff Beck is the most amazing guy I've ever seen who doesn't use a pick.
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

the best thing I got out of playing the bass for a while. listen to funky monks by RHCP. that tone is amazing. pure funk
dan
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

I play with my fingers quite a bit. I agree, it adds a really nice organic quality to the sound. Plus it's cool when you go to a store and try a guitar out and just sit down and start wailing away with no pick :D They don't usually expect that!
 
Re: Picking or shall I say plucking with your fingers.

Can't do everything I can do with a pick with my fingers, but I find I'm using them more and more. In fact, I find I tend to switch between the 2 even in the same song.

I find, though, thaton the bari-electric (looong scale) it just sounds better (a whole lot fatter) when I use my fingers, and the greater string tension makes it easier.

Brett
 
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