Home › Forums › Beginner Guitar Discussions › To pick or not to pick that is the question
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September 17, 2010 at 1:57 am #3783
Whats your thoughts?
When i started years ago i was introduced to finger style picking. I have been trying to get into using a pick, but miss strings consistently. I feel i have more control over the strings if i use my fingers. Maybe its just because i am used to it. What trials and tribulations have you had out there and using a pick besides just basic strums.
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September 17, 2010 at 3:55 pm #7375
Hey, great post. The funny thing is most people start out using a guitar pick and feel awkward when they have to play with their fingers. Playing with a pick is definitely giving up control in some areas – the fact that you can’t feel anything is the biggest reason obviously. That being said, you’ll slowly become more and more comfortable with a pick if you keep practicing alternate picking across strings (down / up / down / up) and alternate strumming. I’ve been playing with a pick for over 20 years and I still miss the occasional string from time to time, so don’t let that be discouraging.
Some guys get away with no pick at when playing electric guitar – Mark Knopfler is a good example. He’s an amazing guitar player and does everything with his thumb, pointer, and middle fingers. So if you’re just trying to learn to play with a pick because you think you have to – you don’t.
Another alternative for you might be the thumb pick. A lot of finger players migrate to the thumb pick because you still have the ability to use your fingers when needed. Just something to consider.
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September 18, 2010 at 1:13 am #7376
I used to listen to him a lot back in the 80s when he was with Dire Straits. Watched a PBS special on Carl Perkins, he was on there.
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September 28, 2010 at 8:23 am #7394
George Thorogood uses his fingers & gets an extremely good sound.Freddie King used his fingers ( with finger picks ) & Albert King used his fingers or thumb.
Johnny Winter uses a thumb pick whilst L P Dupree uses a pick exclusively ! Without a pick in my hand it feels so ” un-natural ” to me & while I admire those that can play with their fingers it just ain’t gonna happen for me – I’ve tried its too awkward – I’m slowly getting better with hybrid picking though. I think in the end its what feels right for you, as long as you can play the riff/lick/exercise/song etc.I love picks always have & always will, every time I go into a music shop just to look around I’ll always buy a pick or two.
Can never have enough picks I always say !LP
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September 28, 2010 at 9:36 am #7397
The ability to (successfully) perform a task in more than one fashion is always an asset.
Pick only, hybrid or fingers only. It pays to have the ability to choose how to perform. It allows a wider choice of expression and each style can lead you down different paths.
To those struggling with a pick I would say that perseverance is the key, to those struggling with finger-picking I would strongly recommend finding a good teacher. By good I mean someone that understands the physical constraints and ramifications of hand positioning and also has the patience to guide students through those difficult early stages.
BBG
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September 30, 2010 at 6:57 pm #7400
i just had a quick question. i didnt really see a good place to ask this but oh well. i have played clasical guitar years ago and im looking to get another guitar, but i keep coming across flamenco guitars.. i know what flamenco is but im wondering what the difference between a flamenco guitar and a clasical guitar???
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October 6, 2010 at 11:19 pm #7404
I had/have same problems using a pick. Also started years ago with fingerstyle and since some months try to get used to play with a pick. It starts to get better and better with a lot of practice. So, keep up the good work and don’t give up is my advice.
You will finally manage it!!! -
October 9, 2010 at 4:48 pm #7406
@jimmytaylor1982 wrote:
i just had a quick question. i didnt really see a good place to ask this but oh well. i have played clasical guitar years ago and im looking to get another guitar, but i keep coming across flamenco guitars.. i know what flamenco is but im wondering what the difference between a flamenco guitar and a clasical guitar???
jimmytaylor1982…
The flamenco guitar has a slightly different body to get a slightly different sound, but they are 99% the same. Nylon strings on both of them.
So if you have a classic one, you will do just fine with flamenco style.
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October 9, 2010 at 4:54 pm #7407
Regarding the original post….
I think the best thing is to know when to use each.
You get a different sound in each case, there is no “correct” choice other than finding the sound you are looking for and what you are comfortable with. You have to find your style……
I do 100% picking on the Strat and almost 100% finger picking on the Classical….
Oh, sorry, I just wanted to add that regarding to picks, I use a quite hard pick. I really hate the soft ones, I think they are imprecise.
How about the rest of you?
Regards
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October 11, 2010 at 10:19 pm #7411
During my “strumming” years I found myself liking the thins….now that I’ve been learning the lead/solo style I find I don’t like that “fold around the string” feel and have switched to heavies.
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March 5, 2011 at 11:41 pm #7449
I am glad to hear it is all about preference when it comes to picks-I took guitar lesons for months-teacher went right to spanish finger playing-Why? I dont know but i didnt know the difference so went with it. Never really learned to play which was quite frustrating- picking up the guitar again after 9 yrs ( had 2 kids so didnt find the time)-and yep the pick is awkward i actually prefer the no pick method-anywho-picking it up and doing both t he pick and non just for kicks 🙂
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November 22, 2012 at 5:46 am #8713Anonymous
My choice is to practice both. When I started out, I didn’t have a pick & just learned a few chords, used my thumb or brushed down on the strings with the nails of my right hand. As I continued to learn, I practiced with a pick even though I had trouble with it flicking out of my hand, I persevered till I nailed it.. The trick is, & I read this in a tutorial, is to NOT grip too firmly, which is what you do if you think it’s going to pop out of your grip. You have to relax the grip & the wrist. I then wanted to learn more styles as I wasn’t a good singer, I wanted to be able to do more than strum chords. I wanted to learn finger picking & chicken picking guitar & bought a book on it. It was difficult at first but anything worth doing will be. I bought myself a classical guitar & had a few lessons to get started on the right track. The larger spacings between the strings makes it a lot easier to begin either of those styles & I often found myself playing fingerstyle on my electric or steel string guitars. To perfect anything takes practice & time & when you accomplish something new, you know it’s because you put in the time & the effort to learn it & that’s where the satisfaction of playing guitar comes from…our own efforts. If you don’t want to put in the time, then I’d suggest taking up Air Guitar.
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