How Many Fingerpicks Should be Worn?

Lawrence Lupkin · Post by **Lawrence Lupkin** » 15 Aug 2010 10:45 am

Clearly only two and a thumb.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 15 Aug 2010 10:48 am

Thats one cute future steel player thats for sure!!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 15 Aug 2010 11:03 am

I wear four and a thumbpick, or I wear none at all.

Richard Damron · Post by **Richard Damron** » 15 Aug 2010 11:43 am

Three plus a thumbpick if you want to get fuller chord voicings.

Lawrence Lupkin · Post by **Lawrence Lupkin** » 15 Aug 2010 12:29 pm

I would hazard a guess that her thoughts revolve more around full bottles (even full diapers) than full chords. First walking, then talking, then C6th.

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 15 Aug 2010 4:01 pm

1 finger pick on the thumb
3 thumb picks on your fingers
and swim fins on the feet

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 15 Aug 2010 5:26 pm

Ken, I kind of felt like I was set up like that in my band this morning, I really had an off day.

Jason Hull · Post by **Jason Hull** » 16 Aug 2010 2:37 am

No picks! I like to feel the strings, and I don't sound like every other steel player.

Thomas Butler · Post by **Thomas Butler** » 16 Aug 2010 6:12 am

I think it depends on how many people are involved.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 16 Aug 2010 7:23 am

I wear a thumbpick and two fingerpicks like a lot of steel players do. I wear a National thumbpick and I think two Dunlop fingerpicks.

Brett

Rick Lodholz · Post by **Rick Lodholz** » 16 Aug 2010 8:08 am

I guess it all depends on what's being served...BUT I'm pretty sure you use the fork on the left first!

(Lawrence-Sorry just couldn't resist it-I use one thumb and 2 finger picks).

Regards

Rick

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 16 Aug 2010 1:00 pm

I think they should all be worn...from lots of playing.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 16 Aug 2010 6:00 pm

I use one and two, but... however many you want. When you take them out of the box, take your head out of it, as well, from time to time.

Bob Vantine · Post by **Bob Vantine** » 16 Aug 2010 9:19 pm

$:\$ 1-THUMB PICK $:\$

0-FINGER PICKS

0-TALENT

0-CARES

1-HECK OF A LOT OF FUN

Johnny Baker · Post by **Johnny Baker** » 24 Aug 2010 5:29 am

experiment and decide, there is not right number of
picks, nor way to wear them. It is totaly up to
you and what is best for you. I use a thumb and
and three finger picks, leaving my little pincky
bare. Works just fine for me.

Jim Saunders · Post by **Jim Saunders** » 24 Aug 2010 5:56 am

Try this experiment: Place your right hand flat, palm down with all fingers extended. Then simply tap each finger up and down. I can easily tap my index and middle finger, but not my ring (3rd) finger. I can also tap the little finger. It's just my ring finger doesn't cooperate. Then, when I put a pick on it, it confuses my whole grip. Try it. If it moves like the other two, then you could probably use it for picking.

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 24 Aug 2010 11:40 am

I like 3 finger picks for playing 4 string 6th style chords.
On E9th type stuff I use the first 2 most of the time and it doesn't hurt to have an extra one on there..

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 24 Aug 2010 1:41 pm

I wear the "standard" 2 & 1, but I think that ideally, on an instrument with the voicing capabilities of the PSG... The Texan secret - 3 & 1 would be the ideal setup. I have tried it several times... I just get entangled hopelessly.

... J-D.

Tom Karsiotis · Post by **Tom Karsiotis** » 24 Aug 2010 2:47 pm

Reso with Bluegrass - Thumbpick & 2 Fingerpicks (need the volume)
Reso at home - Thumbpick and 3 fingers (easier to block strings)
Lap Steel C6 - Thumbpick or the strings buzz and sometimes 2 Fingerpicks
Telecaster & Les Paul - Fender heavy flatpick and middle and index fingers(no picks) - Sometimes I put the pick in my mouth to play comps or arpeggios.
Classical Guitar - No Picks (unless I'm doing a Willie Nelson tune)
Flattop Guitar - Same as electric except sometimes no picks.
Archtop Guitar - Flatpick only (Freddy Green style)
Bouzouki - Flatpick
Pedal Steel - I'm still figuring out that one but wearing shoes helps.

I have no idea why I have ended up with these arrangements. It just happened over the years. As far as fingerpicks go, I've never liked them. I only use them when I have to. I tried the plastic ones like Bob Brozman uses but I couldn't get them to fit comfortably. I tried boiling and refitting but it didn't help.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 24 Aug 2010 2:54 pm

1 thumb and 2 finger on D-10
1 thumb and 3 finger on S-10

One more finger pick replaces most of what I use on the C6th neck.
That's just me though.
Well, not just me, but anyhow...

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 24 Aug 2010 5:58 pm

Thumb pick and three finger picks.

Piano players use their thumb and all fingers (both hands) classical guitar player use their thumb and all fingers...so why should the steel guitar be limited in any way. Practice, develop the coordination...their all yours

The Steel Guitar Forum

How Many Fingerpicks Should be Worn?

How Many Fingerpicks Should be Worn?

Number?

How many finger picks should be worn?

Picks

3 & 1 should ideally be the norm, but it ain't.

It depends on what I'm playing on