thumb pick or fleshy fingers

[nickp]

I've got a classical background and have a fairly good fingerpicking technique which I'm slowly bastardising by playing blues/folk etc on the acoustic.

What is the opinion on thumbpicks - I've only got one and it feels horrible (a dunlop tortoise-shell coloured sort of thing).

I've tried it- only for half an hour or so - but using one means re-learning my right hand picking. However, I'm wondering whether the increased sharpness/projection bass strings will make it worthwhile - together with the advantage of some pickky strumming.

So do we think learning to use a thumbpick is worthwhile or even essential?

thanks

Nick

[RolandG]

We play a couple of songs that would benefit from a thumbpick. I'd never learned to use one because I don't like to rely on having one in my pocket, and they don't sit in your pocket like a plectrum. Earlier this year I bought a couple of thumbpicks, and cut and filed them down so that my thumb is very close to the string. I persevered for a couple of weeks so that I could play both with and without. Then I went back to using my thumb. Reasons: I missed the ability to dampen a note with the side of my thumb, and I didn't like the sound balance between the strings. Your view might vary.

[bertie]

as I said in t'other thread, it is worthwhile - for rag/alternate bass type work it gets the hand in a better position.

Most picks come with a blade thats far too long, and can add to the feeling of unwieldiness and lack of control which makes many give up. I file the blades right down to about 6-8mm and this makes them much easier to control.

I like thumbnail for other picking work - which for me is everything pretty much (including electric playing) its a tad more articulate.

As for fleshy-thumb ? no never ever...horrid sound. Stop immediately


I guess I ought to invite you over for a 'master class'

[ICBM]

I gave up. Possibly the most awkward, uncomfortable and unnatural contraption for playing guitar ever invented... apart from fingerpicks . In my opinion! I felt like Edward Scissorhands trying to play a guitar.

Then again I gave up on standard picks too.

I use a combination of thumb flesh and the very edge of the nail to give it a bit of bite, but without actually using the nail as a pick, if that makes sense.

[nickp]

well then zen master I shall attack my over specified thumb pick with a file and spend a weekend getting used to it.

as for a masterclass - you are the guru of the acoustic.

[musophilr]

I agree with bertie

As for fleshy-thumb ? no never ever...horrid sound. Stop immediately

thumbpicks are also horrible things. Fingernails FTW ... filed till slightly proud of the finger end, and shaped so that the point of contact with the string is flat, so that the load is spread across plenty of nail hence less likely to break.

[bertie]

well then zen master I shall attack my over specified thumb pick with a file and spend a weekend getting used to it.

as for a masterclass - you are the guru of the acoustic.

seriously, we maybe ought to get together for some kind of musical shinanigins being as we are fairly close (not emotionally !! )

[BlindLemonAde]

Adopt Wilko Johnson's hand-training method... steal hubcaps from cars bare-handed, while they're driving past.

*Thinks:- do cars have hubcaps any more?*

[bertie]

Adopt Wilko Johnson's hand-training method... steal hubcaps from cars bare-handed, while they're driving past.

*Thinks:- do cars have hubcaps any more?*

not in Liverpool

[pintspiller]

do you use a regular pick at all? setzer has this thing where he his his plectrum and uses an odd fingerpicking technique