The Steel Guitar Forum

What fingers do you wear picks on? I just started and right now I'm only using thumb,index and middle. Does anyone wear a pick on the ring finger also?

Buzz Evans does.

I saw some tab that required picking 4 separate strings. Would you just use your finger?

Hi Dante, in the words of Buddy..I have some records of Buddy's where I swear he was using 4 picks..But in his "Ask Buddy" page on Ernie's website I asked him about it he said he has always just used a thumb and two finger picks..If 3 's good enough for Buddy well....
I personally use only a thumb and 2 fingers ( nationals) on the steel.

tp

I use a thumb and 3 finger picks. It's nice to have the extra one for those big chords and it would be a good time to start since your a new player. There are quite a few players who wear four picks but I think the vast majority wears three.

Do what feels good for you. I play with 4 pics, and I use the ringfinger a lot, but it's a matter of taste.

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Thanks Sveinung Lilleheier - Norway
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Kentucky Riders

There have been a number of previous discussions on this subject (see the "search" function above)... I do recall that in one of them Paul Franklin said if he was starting again from scratch, he would definitely learn with thumb and three fingers...
Nick

I have been playing about a year now and taking lessons from Reece Anderson. Best teacher and greatest player.
Reece started me out with 3 finger picks and a thumb pick. It is worth the effort to learn how.



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Fender Stringmaster T-8
Fender Custom D-8
Fender Strat
8 string Benoit
Peavey Amps

Right on Ron!

I've always used 4 picks.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
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Usually 4, Bovine used to play with 5.

Started with 4,had too. Played the Alkire (E-Harp) tuning. Now most of the time 3 picks,on E9th. Sometimes 4 picks on the 6th. Learn 4 , when you get older you can start taking them off. You know ARTHRITIS Joe

Doesn't matter how many picks you use, I have used 4 for my entire playing life, now I use one (thumb) and play more than I ever have. It's not the picks, it's what you do with your fingers, really. Randy Beavers sounds incredible with none, and I mean, truly incredible, judged on any standard.
However, Maurice is correct in my opinion, if you are going to wear any finger picks at all, wear three. (not on your ring finger,that's the hand you hold the bar with). When it comes to playing steel guitar, listen to Maurice, anything else, listen to me. Please try to understand my weird humor,

Bobbe

Dante, most players can cover more that 3 strings...even though they're only wearing 2 finger picks. The technique is called "sweeping", and it's done by most all pro players. You pick the top string(s) of the chord with your finger pick(s), while at the same time quickly "sweeping" (or strumming) the lower strings that are desired with your thumb pick. Done properly, with good blocking technique, it sounds like you're picking all the strings together (as a chord). Of course, it doesn't work real well on "expanded" chords...that's where you're skipping certain strings.

If you can learn to use and control 3 or 4 finger picks, so much the better. But it's <u>not</u> a necessity.

Donny, quit trying to make sense! You'll end up doing it if you aren't carful.

Prof, J. Hubbard Telleskope

To Dante: Now's a great time to get started on the "right foot" (pardon bad joke)---I've used No fingerpicks for over 20 years and use all 5 fingers when playing. Speed is improved vastly, and you can spread your fingers wide to get piano chords: I-V-III-VII-III (major 7th for example). The proof's in the puddn' - www.steelguitarbyhughjeffreys.com Do yourself a favor at the start and forget about fingerpicks; a stiff thumbpick is all you need. Best, HJ

No offense, Doctor, but "different strokes for different folks"...I'll keep using my finger picks.

(I'd rather sound like Buddy than Harpo!)

<SMALL>Do yourself a favor at the start and forget about fingerpicks</SMALL>

Dante, this is foolish advice. The overwhelming majority of steel players use a plastic thumbpick and metal fingerpicks (you choose a number). The trademark sound of the Nashville style is achieved with metal fingerpicks. I hope the Doc doesn't throw out the standards of practice in favor of "I'll just do it my way"!

Yes, Bobbe plays with no fingerpicks, but doesn't advise beginners to do so. Of course, he could use salad tongs and play better than most of us.

I'm just starting to practice with a third fingerpick. It would be pretty weird, wouldn't it, if your piano teacher told you not to bother learning to use a couple of your fingers on piano. Oh, some people could play great piano with 6 or 8 fingers, but ya can't help but believe that more can be accomplished... by the same player... using more fingers.

The only negative I've experienced with three finger picks--and it has several times had me agonizing over my decision--is how it interferes with other uses for the ring finger--especially harmonics. That finger curls so much more nicely available than the pinky. But I continue to live with my choice.

For M. Holland: Have fun with the overwhelming majority (I never did!) If the Nashville sound is your bag, you have lots of company; Local 257 only has 150+ steel players and growing every month. - HJ

A Nashville record producer told me last month that he is looking for "new blood steel players." He added, however, that the one he auditioned yesterday sounded just like the one who came in the day before: same tone; same slurs, even the same songs! And so it goes. There seems to be a message there somewhere. -- HJ

I use 4 picks (thumb + 3). I've always preferred playing complete 7th chords when needed. Spacing out the voicing of the notes requires at least 4 picks, especially on the E9th neck.

To D. Boyd: You're right on pal; that's the idea! --- HJ

Reece had me put on that third pick in 1968 and been using 3 picks and thumb pick ever since.

It does expand the selections of chords, quite a bit.....al