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Bare-Finger pickin'
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 4:47 am
by Charlie Fullerton
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!
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 6:29 am
by Bill McCloskey
I posted on this very topic a few weeks back. Try doing a search, it should pop up.
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 7:20 am
by Sam White
Check with Bobbe Seymour he plays with no finger picks.
Sam White
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 9:07 am
by Don Kona Woods
A rhetorical question -
When you do bare-finger picking, does the callouses on your fingers affect the tone?
Aloha,
Don
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 9:29 am
by Rick Collins
...don't like bare-finger picking.
...sounds too much like bare-finger picking.
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 10:01 am
by Matt Lange
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
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 10:09 am
by Jesse Pearson
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.
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 10:21 am
by Charlie McDonald
I like the feel of the strings.
I make no claims for control.
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 12:20 pm
by Billy Wilson
Doesn't Bobbe pick with the finger nails?
Posted: 8 Mar 2006 1:31 pm
by Bobbe Seymour
Yes he does, and very well too!
Posted: 9 Mar 2006 3:47 am
by Charlie Fullerton
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
Posted: 9 Mar 2006 12:00 pm
by James Quackenbush
Yes he does, and very well too!
I'll second that !!......
Posted: 9 Mar 2006 2:18 pm
by Smiley Roberts
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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