A Few Questions about Picks.

[John Prather]

I use Dunlop SS finger picks and Golden Gate Pearlies with the anti rollover for thumb picks. I also like steel thumb picks for a brighter tone on the thumb but they seem to put nicks in the strings and accelerate strings wear.

I have two questions.

1. How many use 4 picks with a pick on the ring finger. I can manage 4 picks but I sometimes forget I have the 4th pick, falling back to the old 3 finger claw. Four picks works for picking up the 2nd string for playing Maj 7th chords. 8,6,5,2 or 6,5,4,2 and other tetra chords. Typically I still use 3 but I'm starting to opt more and more for 4.

2. Some steelers bend the tips of the finger picks over against the tips of their fingers. I can't play with these bent picks. I find them clumsey since I learned with straight picks and always played with them unmodified. Is there a reason for these bent picks that I'm missing. They seem so difficult to control.

[Tom Quinn]

Whatever floats your boat, but most pro pickers play with two fingerpicks and a thumb pick. If you are holding your right hand for proper damping you almost have to wear your picks curved to parallel your fingertips.

[John Prather]

Thanks. I didn't think of the alignment. I get my tips straight with full blocking on the right hand but I see your point. I think the fact that I played with straight picks at such a young age makes me compensate. Too many years. Don't think I'll change. Simply can't use the bent picks.

[John Prather]

Yes, I do scrub the edges slightly but nothing noticeable. Perhaps I've just learned to compensate. I may try twisting the tips to get a little better alignment.

A famous Opera Tenor during a certain Aria always walked to the rear window of the set. His blocking and choreography was noted and the motion to the window became a standard in almost EVERY presentation of that opera for years to come.

Years later, a young opera student got the chance to ask him what his genius was in making that timely move. The Elder Singer said, "Oh, it wasn't genius, I just always got phlegm in my throat at that point in the Aria and I went to the window in the set to SPIT". Conventions aren't always as important they seem.

[John Prather]

Can't agree more. I think that is one of the most unique characters of the Pedal Steel. Players find their own niche, their own sound and their own character. I'm searching for sounds that are more generic and apply to a broader style of music.

After inspecting my finger pick path, I've decided to twist them slightly to keep the edge away from the strings.