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Topic starter
26/01/2005 5:50 am
When I started playing 2 months ago I used a pick for everything. I had a difficult time with songs (as any beginner and still have problems of course) such as chord changes, timing and such. I put down the pick started strumming using my middle finger on down strokes (mostly) and my thumb on upstrokes. I find doing this my chord changes have improved, my timing is better and I can better strum something in between progressions. I basically feel I have more contact with the instrument. I still use a pick when doing scales. I guess one day I might want to play a song that involves single notes.....so can most songs like that be played with fingers, or do you have to use a pick sometimes :?: BTW I have an acoustic
26/01/2005 5:56 am
yes, you can pluck single notes with your fingers. you might even consider a classical guitar if you like the way they sound, as they're easier on the fingers if you play a lot, and you don't use a pick with nylon strings.
26/01/2005 11:07 am
I rarely use a pick on acoustic myself. I use my thumb and index, middle, and ring to fingerpick. When strumming I use my thumb to play bass notes and my index finger to strum. I get a very controlled, even sounding strum this way. When playing solos or scales I pinch my thumb and index finger together as if I was using a pick and mostly use downstrokes and my fingernail to play. I do not grow my nails out at all. If I want to strum super fast I use my middle finger, it is much quicker than my index finger.
I haven't played acoustic much lately. If I were to, the tip of my index finger would get very sore. But it callouses up after a few weeks.
Hey, if it works for you, do it. I can strum as fast (probably quicker) with this method. And I like the mellow tone of the fingertips. Much nicer than a pick.
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
26/01/2005 12:07 pm
I use mostly my thumb but sometimes my thumb and index finger. I can't remember the guys name but he played with John Cash, he played with just the nail of his index finger. There are no solid rules on strumming, if it works for you, use it.
Tim Madsen
Nobody cares how much you know,
until they know how much you care.
"What you keep to yourself you lose, what you give away you keep forever." -Axel Munthe
Topic starter
26/01/2005 4:58 pm
I guess no matter how good you are there's some things you'll do better then others. I'll stay used to a pick at least if I ever want to to try an electric. The song 'heart of gold' I noticed I like a pick for that little hammer on in the intro, then of course you have that riff ( which I haven't tried) but just fingers are possible for that stuff too. I'm sure there's other songs like that to. Sounds like I will let my fingers do what they want....thanks
26/01/2005 5:08 pm
Every time I strum without a pick no sound comes out of the guitar.. Are your fingers supposed to touch the strings or something :?: :twisted: :lol:
I mostly use a pick and find that I getter a better, smoother, and more consistent stroke. I just learned with a pick and stuck with it I guess mostly because I have short wide fingers and I tend to catch too much or too many strings at times. I do use my thumb and index finger for some songs when I am looking for a real mellow tone.
I know I need to work on finger strumming and finger picking.
Topic starter
26/01/2005 5:28 pm
Yes picks can give you a more definite sound, but I find I am more fluent with fingers. Fingers will ring the sound longer (which gives me more time) but sometimes the buzz is worse. Maybe when my upstroke improves the pick and me will be on better terms
26/01/2005 9:43 pm
I use the the nail part of my Index, Middle, and Ring on the way down and my thumb on the way up on my acoustic, but i just use a pick on my electric. I find that I can pick single note and strum faster using a pick.
"The answer is practice.
Now, what's the question?"
Words by David Mead.