Bare-Finger pickin'

Charlie Fullerton · Post by **Charlie Fullerton** » 8 Mar 2006 4:47 am

For about 50 yrs, I have been playing at Sp. Guitar with bare fingers. When I play at steel, I've always used a pair of Nationals -- mostly because everyone else was, and to get the extra "attack"! I recently saw someone, no idea who, on TV playing "bare" fingered. I would like to get some of the pro's and con's!
I've got a Supro 6, and, you should pardon the expresion, a D-8 Guyatone -- what can I say -- the price was right!

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 8 Mar 2006 6:29 am

I posted on this very topic a few weeks back. Try doing a search, it should pop up.

Sam White · Post by **Sam White** » 8 Mar 2006 7:20 am

Check with Bobbe Seymour he plays with no finger picks.
Sam White

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 8 Mar 2006 9:07 am

A rhetorical question -

When you do bare-finger picking, does the callouses on your fingers affect the tone?

Aloha,
Don

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 8 Mar 2006 9:29 am

...don't like bare-finger picking.
...sounds too much like bare-finger picking.

Matt Lange · Post by **Matt Lange** » 8 Mar 2006 10:01 am

I think it's all a matter of style and preference. I play with bare fingers primarily because i play "spanish" guitar fingerstyle without fingerpicks, and becuase two of my very favorite players, Kelly Joe Phelps and Ben Harper, play without picks. That was enough for me.
I think if i played Hawaiian style music i'd probably transition into using fingerpicks, but for folk/blues type stuff i play, i think bare fingers is the way to go.

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my music: www.myspace.com/mattlangemusic

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 8 Mar 2006 10:09 am

Bare fingers makes it harder to make clear harmonics with the side of your right palm, that's the only down side I see. You can do strong knuckle harmonics on single strings no problem. Picks sound better, but are a hassel for me to deal with because I switch between steel and guitar during a song sometimes. A thumb pick would solve the problem but it's too late for me personally to switch over.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 8 Mar 2006 10:21 am

I like the feel of the strings.
I make no claims for control.

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 8 Mar 2006 12:20 pm

Doesn't Bobbe pick with the finger nails?

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 8 Mar 2006 1:31 pm

Yes he does, and very well too!

Charlie Fullerton · Post by **Charlie Fullerton** » 9 Mar 2006 3:47 am

I have found, with my very limited experience, that it is a trade off. With picks, you usually get better "attack": without finger picks, "finger blocking" is alot easier. For me, a thumb pick is always part of the equation.
Thanks guys, Charlie

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 9 Mar 2006 12:00 pm

Yes he does, and very well too!

I'll second that !!......

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 9 Mar 2006 2:18 pm

The BIG "E" did a show w/ Johnny Bush at the "Midnight Jamboree" w/ a thumb pick,but NO finger picks. Ya coulda fooled me. I thought he was wearin' 'em.

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