https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:38:32 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-377145 Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:03:16 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-377145 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376801 Fri, 27 Jul 2012 05:52:10 +0000 into the audience." This was Tom Verlaine's approach, as I recall -- if he didn't like the sound he got with a pick within a few bars, he'd fling it off the stage and finish the set with fingers only. Small difference, but after a while if something isn't working for you... let it go. Some of us seem to think the OP is a beginner, but this is not the "Beginner's Q&A Forum." This is "Guitar Players Discussion." I assume Guy1 has spent enough time with the pick to know what works for him and what doesn't.

And how have I not been objective? I said new players should work with the pick. Ninety-nine-point-whatever of instructional material is plectrum-based, so they'd be at a serious disadvantage not to use a pick at that point in their playing career. I said that I'm using picks again, because the only way to get that stereotypical jazz-guitar sound is with a pick....

Anyhow, I don't think I'm the one who's less than objective on this. Has anyone else noticed that "Diceman" is an anagram of "Jim Dunlop"? :lol:So you think the audience is going to give the pick back to you ? I had to look up who Tom Verlaine was on the internet and am not impressed with his body of work especially as a punk era guitarist . Punk performers didn't especially push the boundaries of modern guitar forward so much as they went backward , image being more important than the music . If that's who you aspire to emulate all I can say is good for you . Has anybody noticed that a crow is a noisy , roadkill eating nuisance ? :lol:]]> Guitar Players Discussion Diceman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376801 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376795 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:44:46 +0000 into the audience." This was Tom Verlaine's approach, as I recall -- if he didn't like the sound he got with a pick within a few bars, he'd fling it off the stage and finish the set with fingers only. Small difference, but after a while if something isn't working for you... let it go. Some of us seem to think the OP is a beginner, but this is not the "Beginner's Q&A Forum." This is "Guitar Players Discussion." I assume Guy1 has spent enough time with the pick to know what works for him and what doesn't.

And how have I not been objective? I said new players should work with the pick. Ninety-nine-point-whatever of instructional material is plectrum-based, so they'd be at a serious disadvantage not to use a pick at that point in their playing career. I said that I'm using picks again, because the only way to get that stereotypical jazz-guitar sound is with a pick....

Anyhow, I don't think I'm the one who's less than objective on this. Has anyone else noticed that "Diceman" is an anagram of "Jim Dunlop"? :lol:]]> Guitar Players Discussion Crow https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376795 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376793 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:30:22 +0000
Why don't we all drop the idea that those of us who prefer fingers are doing it just to be different, OK? S1120 struggled with the pick and found it was getting in the way of his progress (correct me if I'm wrong, s1120). I learned to play with a pick just fine, then realized I liked the sound of fingers & pursued it. This is not about being "unique" or "free thinkers." It's also not about "better" or "worse," as you imply, or about "right" or "wrong," as Diceman implies. If the plectrum works for you, use it. If it doesn't, you don't have to use it. That's what this is about.We could certainly drop it but then what would we discuss ? Besides , it's like telling the leader of the revolution that he doesn't have a cause . Maybe you're a little too committed to one side to be completely objective . You said throw the pick away . I said don't give up on it .]]> Guitar Players Discussion Diceman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376793 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376792 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:27:39 +0000 LOL!!!!!! Ya, thats probably a lot closer. :D

You know... the best thing about playing music for fun is.... The fact that we dont all have to like the same stuff. We can each do our own thing, and enjoy ourselfs, and also enjoy hearing others that do it there way. THATS what is cool about all this!!!]]> Guitar Players Discussion s1120 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376792 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376791 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:46:30 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion cnev https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376791 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376778 Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:32:49 +0000 just fine, then realized I liked the sound of fingers & pursued it. This is not about being "unique" or "free thinkers." It's also not about "better" or "worse," as you imply, or about "right" or "wrong," as Diceman implies. If the plectrum works for you, use it. If it doesn't, you don't have to use it. That's what this is about.
Yes Crow, that was what I meant to say. Trust me I in noway mean to convay that im a superior guitarists to ANYONE here!! Im nowere close!! Just that for me, it seems to click better with me, and that I perfer the sound. I in no way meant it to sound that doing it like that was the best, and picks are not the way to go. Just that this is what has worked for me, and that I enjoy it. As we know Picks work perfectly well for what...90% + of the players out there.]]> Guitar Players Discussion s1120 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376778 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376777 Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:49:24 +0000 and undoubtedly way better than me. Doubtful, but that is beside the point. This isn't about me. At least it "should" not be. :P
I don't even think anyone's trying to convince you or even fundamentally disagrees, to be honest. The only thing people react to is the way it's said. This is the part that puzzles me. Do we have to swaddle every opinion in qualifiers? "This is just my opinion, but..." "I may be wrong, but..." "Your mileage may vary...." Why? I wish someone would PM me to point out exactly what I said wrong.

On topic:

If the OP's tone is that much better with pick than with fingers, maybe it's time to look at some fingerstyle fundamentals. Most finger players strike strings with a combination of flesh and nail. Flesh alone can be dull-sounding, nails alone can sound tinny. Finding the optimal picking angle can take time, but it's worthwhile. Just as with the flatpick, it's largely a question of time spent doing it.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Crow https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376777 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376776 Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:36:18 +0000
Better wasn't my statement, by the way. TS said "I personally find it easier playing without a pick, but it feels like sometimes the guitar sounds sooo much better using a pick". I support your last post 100%. You have the ability to play how you like, you pick something because of the way it sounds, and because it works for you. That's exactly what Cnev said earlier, and what I tried to convey in my second part.

Just to be clear, I think you're probably an awesome player and undoubtedly way better than me. I don't even think anyone's trying to convince you or even fundamentally disagrees, to be honest. The only thing people react to is the way it's said.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Liontable https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376776 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376775 Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:54:29 +0000 That's the nature of the internet, you post one message and people read a thousand different things into it. You got that last bit right, at least, and gave us a demo to boot. :roll:

Why don't we all drop the idea that those of us who prefer fingers are doing it just to be different, OK? S1120 struggled with the pick and found it was getting in the way of his progress (correct me if I'm wrong, s1120). I learned to play with a pick just fine, then realized I liked the sound of fingers & pursued it. This is not about being "unique" or "free thinkers." It's also not about "better" or "worse," as you imply, or about "right" or "wrong," as Diceman implies. If the plectrum works for you, use it. If it doesn't, you don't have to use it. That's what this is about.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Crow https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/pick-vs-fingers/paged/3/#post-376775