any bare finger players?

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 14 Nov 2007 2:51 pm

I just can't get myself to use fingerpicks. I've adapted to a thumbpick okay, but with fingerpicks, I just can't feel the strings right and can't block. I've been playing fingerpicked six-string for twenty-odd years now, and only recently made myself start using a thumbpick for that. So I'm fighting against decades of ingrained sense of how picking should "feel". And although bare skin/nails sounds different from a fingerpick, I'm not sure it sounds worse.

So, is anyone else picking with bare fingers? Is there any compelling reason to use fingerpicks other than tradition?

Chris Buchanan · Post by **Chris Buchanan** » 14 Nov 2007 3:08 pm

I too have played fingerstyle 20 odd years, without finger or thumb picks. Transitioning to the PSG, I thought I'd start wthout picks just to get started and work in picks later. Someone here suggested starting with picks just to get used to them. I took the advice and it's worked out fine. It must be due to the orientation of the strings, since I could never get the hang of it on guitar.
The reason I use picks now is because I like the sound better, and the crisp attack on the strings. They also keep my fingertips from shredding. I'm using 2 metal National fingerpicks and a plastic Dunlop thumbpick.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 14 Nov 2007 3:11 pm

I use picks and pick block most of the time but when I play blues or rock I just use bare fingers and a thumb pick so I can play artificial harmonics and pinch the strings to get that country pluck sound or to play play banjo rolls.

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 14 Nov 2007 3:17 pm

I do both. When I'm playing country western I wear two fingerpicks and a thumbpick. When I play jazz I use my fingers and nails. I find it easier to get alot of the four note voicings I use in jazz with my fingers instead of wearing three picks and a thumbpick. Gives me a different tone also.

Kevin Macneil Brown · Post by **Kevin Macneil Brown** » 14 Nov 2007 3:45 pm

Being left-handed, and with my steel--six string non-pedal--strung right-handed, the usual fingerpick configuration never worked for me, as it meant plastic thumbpick on the unwound strings, metal picks on the wound strings. Over the years I've attempted various solutions to this, including plastic fingerpicks, but have always come back to bare fingers.
Now I've come to like the sound, feel, and tonal control of picking with bare fingers and, if desired, a little bit of nail.
Harmonics and chimes, though, are a bit more of a challenge without picks, and I have to keep myself trained and "in the zone" to make sure they ring out clearly.

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 14 Nov 2007 4:32 pm

Bobbe Seymour Plays With No Picks. SONNY. JcH. GFI. Magnum. Two 112 Amps.

Juanita Carter · Post by **Juanita Carter** » 14 Nov 2007 6:07 pm

Hi Dave. I am a bare finger player. I play both the pedal steel and the lap steel, and have never used picks on either of them. It doesn't seem to me that I can put the feeling into a song with picks on. I suppose it would be possible if I get used to them, but have no desire to.
Juanita

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 14 Nov 2007 7:48 pm

Aha! A newbie! Welcome to the Forum, Juanita.

I've played finger-style guitar for many years, with no picks, and love it. I just can't get used to in on the steel guitar, though. I do remember how awkward it felt, at first, with those metal picks between me and the strings.

Lee, from South Texas

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 15 Nov 2007 10:54 am

My opinion..

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 15 Nov 2007 12:13 pm

I play without picks a lot. The "tone" is good but a bit softer than the sound I get with picks. I don't use my nails and the hand position is about the same.

I've seen and heard both Buddy Emmons and Bud Carter play without picks and I couldn't hear much difference if any.

If you like what you are hearing come out of your amp, keep doing it.

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 15 Nov 2007 12:45 pm

John Fabian wrote: If you like what you are hearing come out of your amp, keep doing it.

I think I will, thanks.

Funny, I'm not usually the slightest bit concerned about the "right" way to do things. I've been playing guitar my own special way for decades. But this fingerpick thing has been bugging me for some reason.

I can definitely feel the need for thumbpicks, though. It came on me recently when I was recording some acoustic guitar... I just couldn't get the kind of attack I wanted on the bass strings, and once I thought about it, I realized my bent-thumb approach was limiting my technique. But it's sure hard to learn new habits!

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 15 Nov 2007 2:16 pm

I think Rob Parker plays with a Thumb pick only. Rob does a great Travis Thumb Style of pickin' on Steel Guitar.

Myself, I would feel bar naked

without thumb and 3 finger picks.

Terry Wood

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 15 Nov 2007 3:40 pm

Check out that Alvino Rey clip

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

He just uses a thumpick

Jim Kennedy · Post by **Jim Kennedy** » 15 Nov 2007 3:55 pm

I play both banjo and guitar without finger picks. Tried a thumb pick with guitar a few times and could never get used to it. Same with steel. I just feel detached from the strings when I use finger picks, so I just play without them.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 16 Nov 2007 2:15 am

better to know how to play w: picks & play w: bare fingers as well
rather than play w: bare fingers & not be able to play w: picks at all

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 12 Feb 2010 11:31 am

A couple of other replies, including the late, great Mr. Fabian.

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 12 Feb 2010 11:34 am

I tried picks once and I hated the clicking sound on the strings.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Feb 2010 2:42 pm

Dave Stagner,

I can't thank you enough for posting this thread. It's very much appreciated.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 12 Feb 2010 2:44 pm

Bill, this was started nov07, I revived it.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Feb 2010 2:56 pm

Rick,

My thanks are extended to you ten fold. You have been a blessing by reaching out to a friend in need.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 13 Feb 2010 9:47 pm

Thirty + years ago I began to develop a unique style using 4 bare fingers and a thumbpick. A sample can be heard at www.steelguitarbyhughjeffreys.com I am working on another album (Bee Bop +)which I hope to have out by year's end.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Feb 2010 5:22 am

Dr. Hugh Jeffrys; A message sent from heaven.

B.H.

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 14 Feb 2010 10:14 am

For what its worth:

Thumbpick only + 3 fingers.......have never done it any other way....just something about the way the strings and guitar feels....... Additionally, I like 4 finger grips, especially on C6th.

But, you will suffer with breakage unless attention is paid to your nails.

Playing Steel this way is my choice, not influenced by who does or does not use finger picks.

Still, I am trying out the Pro-picks with the open center with versatility in mind.......TX

Rgds,

Ron

Bob Grado · Post by **Bob Grado** » 14 Feb 2010 10:52 am

Played without picks for 20 years, than I started getting busy and my nails simply wouldn't hold up.

There was nothing worse that breaking a nail before a 3 hour gig knowing that the meat of my index finger would be raw as hell after the first set.

I eventually got over my "fear" of picks and after a shorter than expected "learning curve" they began to feel comfortable. I have been using them exclusively for the last few years.

Trust me.. Once you get used to them there simply is no comparison. Your sustain will increase dramatically, you attach on each string will be evenly balanced and once you learn how to block your single string runs will become smooth.

There is a valid reason everyone uses them.
My only regret is it took me 20 years to realize it.

Just my 2 cents.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Feb 2010 11:03 am

BGrado,

I can just see you explaining that fish story to C. Atkins, when he played the Opry! I wouldn't have
wanted to miss hearing HIS response.

Just my 2 cents worth..

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