anyone play without finger picks?

[Peter Jacobs]

I switch between lap steel and banjo, so I keep the picks on. For electric guitar, I use bare fingers. Go figure.
Peter

[Charles Dempsey]

If there are any finger style playeres out there, I would like to know what you do to keep your fingers from becoming raw.

These are my finger picks. I use them and a flat pick held between the thumb and forefinger. My fingers don't get raw, but I've been playing like that for... uh... a while.

The only problem you run into is that if you gig or rehearse more than four times a week you start wearing your fingernails down too far to be useful. If you try this and you find the nails are hanging up on the strings file the left side so it slopes down close to the quick.

Charlie

[Carroll Hale]

Thanks! ... and I thought I was alone...

...you are not alone...I play dobro & lapsteel...use picks some, but as you mention...not as much control...harder to get loud sound..so have to use amp or increase mic volume....just have not learned to use picks.....also, I use a flat pick sometimes...from the old time flatpicking acoustic...works pretty well...hope to learn to be better with picks...but for now...fingers it is..
. Its encouraging to know that other players are playing successfully with their fingers. I think i may be able to learn a little faster doing it this way.
I still intend to master the fingerpicks, but will be spending half my time with my fingers as well.

Super Kristen

....

[seldomfed]

Spencer Bohren uses fingers on lap, no picks. I saw him play that way, and now do that for some songs. I play picks on pedal 100% and lap 80%, no picks on acoustic or electric guitar at all.

http://www.spencerbohren.com/

[Ray Langley]

I've only been playing lap steel a very short time. I tried the picks but my bare thumb and fingers are already "educated". At my age, picks just seem more like something to keep track of, or to get lost when you need them. I'll be lucky to keep track of the steel. "Is that a steel in your pocket honey, or are you just happy to see me?" Mae West

[Mark Mansueto]

I wouldn't get too hung up on bare fingers or picks or whatever... just play. I played standard guitar for many years with a flat pick before playing a lap steel with finger picks. After a while I decided to experiment with bare fingers and liked it but only for certain things. If you get stuck on one method you might be missing out.

In my case I like bare fingers with acoustic but I use picks with electric because I like the sharper attack that helps cut through a mix.

[Greg Gefell]

I have found that I prefer playing electric (especially when the overdrive is on) without them. I get better blocking and more expression. When its acoustic resonator though, the picks are needed to get the bite.