The Steel Guitar Forum

im learning to play, and im much more comfortable picking and damping and feeling the strings with my bare fingers. i know of several guitarists that use only fingers, like jeff beck, mark knopfler and derek trucks. do some steel players use bare fingers, or are finger picks a universal component to the art of pedal steel?

Bobbe Seymoure plays without fingerpicks.

I don't know any that never use finger picks, but I believe that both Paul Franklin and Buddy Emmons have recorded songs without picks. And neither of those guys are too bad...

I go pickless on occasion.

If you start learning & practicing with your picks, you'll be glad you did.
I HATED them. Felt SO awkward!
(I don't even like to use a pick with guitar, except on occasion.)

But, if you hang in there with the picks, you'll really like what you can get out of the psg with them.
Really...

Bobbe plays with out picks..I also think I saw a Hal Rugg video in which he wasnt wearing them.

I am a beginner/intermediate player , I play with and without..If I am playing a very light style - something with feeling , like a slow gospel song I will play without picks..Just my opinion but I think you get a softer sound.

Please don't start threads like this!


I'm a rank beginner and I'm barely getting used to picks. Preferring, if the world were different, no picks at all.

(fingers in ears) La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La

When I started playing Steel about 3 years ago, I started playing without picks, (not even a thumb pick). I was very comfortable with it until MY WIFE said, if your gonna play that thing, play it right and put your picks on. Of course, I did, and very glad, now, I never play without the picks. Hang in there, and keep those picks on. Larry Baker

BY THE WAY, I AM NOT A PRO PLAYER. Larry

I recall Frank Rogers, Jr. in the early days playing without picks and barefoot. He done pretty darn good. I put him on a stage in Muskegon, Michigan with Buddy Emmons and Jimmy Bryant and I believe that was his first time playing steel in front of a crowd. I believe that he had no picks that day and no shoes. He's come a long way and is playing with picks, and shoes, but I would think that Frank can still handle the steel quite well without the picks and in his bare feet.
Dave A. Burley

Ron Anderson wrote:Please don't start threads like this!


I'm a rank beginner and I'm barely getting used to picks. Preferring, if the world were different, no picks at all.

(fingers in ears) La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La

I think the thread is a good one
sure beats another tuning thread

Boogie Sherrard plays with a flat pick and no fingerpicks. He does a mighty fine job of it too!!!

Greg

Ron Anderson wrote:Please don't start threads like this!


I'm a rank beginner and I'm barely getting used to picks. Preferring, if the world were different, no picks at all.

(fingers in ears) La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La

LOL!!!

I use a flatpick and my fingertips most of the time, occasionally I do use picks though. Jimmy Clark also plays with a flatpick.

the question you ask Aaron is one of the most frequent that appear on the Fo'

i'm not a pro but considering the help & advice i've gotten over the years from some of them, figure i might as well pass it on :

finger picks offer clarity, precision, & speed
(w: time & practice you'll get used to having them on)
not using them will offer a warmer sound
i'd suggest playing with & without, that way you'll have more options
thumbpick imo is mandatory
moral :
better to know how to pick w: picks than w: bare fingers
rather than know how to pick w: bare fingers & not w: picks

I am no proffesional either.
I know this is very subjective, but when I put the three picks on, it means "boy you are going to to play the steel now!".

I resisted it for a while too but you'll get a clearer note with picks. I'm working my way through Jeff Newman's "Right Hand Alpha" video and it's really helping me adjust.

You know what else is tough for a beginner and finger picks? Trying to mouse around Mickey Adams you tube video index with them on.

I feel like Edward Scissor Hands!

the bottom line to me is: use finger picks... unless you're so special and talented that your performance without them is a pure outstanding art form.

I dont think Toy Caldwell wore picks, but hell Ive been wrong before. John

Adding a slight twist to the direction of this thread, if anyone is venturing down the road of learning pic-blocking as a muting technique, it's a heck of a lot easier to get the feel for it without wearing finger picks.

Comfort and personal preference aside, in my experience great tone comes from putting some serious energy into the strings; playing without picks severely limits the amount of power you can apply when it's time to emphasize a point. This being said, if all you are doing is mellow jello soft and easy then go ahead on, the gentle touch is certainly a valid one as well...

If Bobbe don't stay away from machinery he just might not have fingers to put picks on. And that would be a big loss for his fans.Of which I'm one.

You guys are just to hilarious!

Los Bobbster!

I'm no pro but it takes a lot of time to get your picks just right.They have to be comfortable to stay on ur figers for hours at a time.I keep some needle nose pliers with me to adjust them.It may take a week or so to get them just right.If they fit well you will never know you have them on.What will really piss you of is when some one wants to play your steel,the first thing they do is squeeze your picks togather.Then you get to start all over.So take some time with them until you get em just right.

No power without picks?

Tell that to Redd V.