Lloyd Green/Technique

Christopher Wray · From: California, USA

I've been shedding a lot of Lloyd Green lately and I wanted to ask you guys if some of his faster licks are played using three fingers. There's a re-occuring lick in Frankie Miller's "Family Man" that would have been a great example but it seems there are two different recordings of this song and I can't find the one I have anywhere online. I guess this is a broader question about right hand technique. Thanks in advance for the help!

-Christopher

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Have you looked on YouTube?

Harry Dove · From: Michigan, USA

I would be curious to hear from someone close to Lloyd on this one. I have never heard of him using three finger picks. I think he was just plain fast, especially in his younger days. Also, I believe Lloyd is left handed if I'm not mistaken. If you can imagine picking that fast with your non-dominant hand. Maybe someone will have the scoop.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Christopher--When you say "three fingers," do you mean "three fingers and thumb" or do you mean "three digits, i.e. thumb and two fingers, as opposed to thumb and one finger (either index or middle) alternating"?

Christopher Wray · From: California, USA

My fault. I should have clarified. I meant a thumb, 1st finger, and middle finger. So thumb and two fingers.

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Yes Lloyd uses just Thumb; and two fingers and like Harry said; Lloyd is "Left" handed; and for him to be that proficient with his right hand; is just incredible coordination and huge amounts of practice through the years.
Ricky
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

I asked Lloyd the same question, and he either told me that he uses two thumbs and two fingers, or what Ricky just said.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Thing is, there are two different questions here:

1) How many digits does Lloyd use overall? This one has been answered--thumb and two fingers.

2) (I think this may have been what Christopher meant) How does Lloyd execute faster licks? Using all three digits, or using thumb and one of the fingers? Lots of players execute fast single-note stuff by the latter method.

David Ellison · From: California, USA

The repeating lick you're talking about can really only be played by picking the 3rd string with the middle finger, 5th string with the first finger, and 6th string with the thumb. It would be next to impossible to play it with the thumb and first finger only. It's a pretty common lick... though it might have been a brand new sound at that time.

When figuring out licks, the best rule of thumb I've found is that the easiest way to do it is probably the way the guy did it on the recording.

David Ellison · From: California, USA

David Ellison · From: California, USA

I take it back... it's not that hard to play with the thumb and one finger. But I still think he probably did it with all three fingers.

Christopher Wray · From: California, USA

Thank you Brint. That's exactly what I was asking. I'm using a specific example but my larger question is how often are people using their 1st finger and for what applications. If Lloyd was using thumb, 1st, and middle for those licks, chances are he was using three fingers for similar licks. That would encourage me to use my 1st finger more and slightly re-evaluate the way I'm playing different idea's. Thanks for your input as well Dave.

Harry Dove · From: Michigan, USA

This probably should be another topic, but I wonder how many players do most of their picking with the thumb and second finger as opposed to equally using both fingers. Maybe I'm different than most, but I use my first finger a lot. Years ago I was playing lap steel and another lap steel player was surprised at how I used my thumb even on the upper strings and my fingers even on the lower strings, when speed picking. He said he was taught to use certain fingers on certain strings. I replied that I didn't know how he would ever do any speed picking if he followed that. I guess there isn't really any right and wrong ways for picking steel, at least not as yet. Perhaps when it has been around longer some things will become more standard.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

I once read an interview with Albert Lee (world class country-style guitarist, for anyone who doesn't know) where, asked about his "hybrid" picking technique using flatpick and two fingers like many another country guitarist, he said something to the effect of
"I just use whatever's handy."

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: