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Author
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Topic: How many picks do you guys use?
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Dante Parel
Member From: Sacramento, California, USA
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posted 21 August 2002 11:38 PM
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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? |
Jim Phelps
Member From: just out of Mexico City
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posted 21 August 2002 11:43 PM
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Buzz Evans does. |
Dante Parel
Member From: Sacramento, California, USA
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posted 21 August 2002 11:48 PM
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I saw some tab that required picking 4 separate strings. Would you just use your finger? |
Tony Prior
Member From: Charlotte NC
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posted 22 August 2002 03:12 AM
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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 |
Sidney Malone
Member From: Buna, TX
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posted 22 August 2002 03:32 AM
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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. |
SveinungL
Member From: Oslo - Norway - Europe
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posted 22 August 2002 04:04 AM
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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.------------------
Thanks Sveinung Lilleheier - Norway
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Kentucky Riders
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nick allen
Member From: France
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posted 22 August 2002 04:23 AM
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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 |
Ron Randall
Member From: Dallas, Texas, USA
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posted 22 August 2002 09:12 AM
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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. ------------------
Fender Stringmaster T-8
Fender Custom D-8
Fender Strat
8 string Benoit
Peavey Amps
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Doug Seymour
Member From: Jamestown NY USA
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posted 22 August 2002 10:07 AM
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Right on Ron! |
Bobby Lee
Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA
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posted 22 August 2002 12:06 PM
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I've always used 4 picks.------------------
 Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6) |
chas smith
Member From: Encino, CA, USA
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posted 22 August 2002 12:31 PM
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Usually 4, Bovine used to play with 5. |
Joe Miraglia
Member From: Panama, New York USA
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posted 22 August 2002 04:47 PM
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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 |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 22 August 2002 05:04 PM
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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 |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 22 August 2002 06:09 PM
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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 not a necessity. |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 23 August 2002 05:46 PM
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Donny, quit trying to make sense! You'll end up doing it if you aren't carful.
Prof, J. Hubbard Telleskope |
Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
Member From: Southaven, MS, USA
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posted 24 August 2002 12:20 PM
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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 |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 27 August 2002 01:35 PM
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No offense, Doctor, but "different strokes for different folks"...I'll keep using my finger picks.  (I'd rather sound like Buddy than Harpo!) |
Michael Holland
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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posted 27 August 2002 02:03 PM
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quote:
Do yourself a favor at the start and forget about fingerpicks
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. |
Jim Cohen
Member From: Philadelphia, PA
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posted 27 August 2002 02:24 PM
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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. |
Jon Light
Member From: Brooklyn, NY
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posted 27 August 2002 02:46 PM
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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. |
Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
Member From: Southaven, MS, USA
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posted 27 August 2002 03:39 PM
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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 |
Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
Member From: Southaven, MS, USA
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posted 28 August 2002 05:49 AM
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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 |
Dennis Boyd
Member From: Suisun City, CA USA
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posted 28 August 2002 12:14 PM
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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. |
Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
Member From: Southaven, MS, USA
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posted 28 August 2002 12:47 PM
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To D. Boyd: You're right on pal; that's the idea! --- HJ |
Al Marcus
Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA
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posted 28 August 2002 01:03 PM
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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 |
Buck Dilly
Member From: Branchville, NJ, USA
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posted 28 August 2002 02:46 PM
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The third pick works so well for me, I started using a couple on my left hand. |
Michael Brebes
Member From: Northridge CA
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posted 28 August 2002 02:54 PM
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I'm one of the oddballs that don't use any picks. Comes from too many years of playing classical guitar. Got the nails just the right length. The only downfall is if I break a nail, then it takes a week or so for it to grow back out. |
Ray Montee
Member From: Portland, OR, USA
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posted 28 August 2002 07:31 PM
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YOUR THUMB holds the "secret".....Two finger picks for the top strings and the thumb sweep and/or skip a string or two....for the fuller chords. Many occasions arise for the fore and back picking with the thumb pick....... Personally, I use eight finger picks and three thumbs picks. I have no blue thumb picks. |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 28 August 2002 09:32 PM
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quote:
A Nashville record producer told me last month that he is looking for "new blood steel players."
If the current NCS music is any indication, those Nashville Producers don't know much (and don't care much) about the steel guitar. |
Bob Schaedler
Member From: Southbury, CT, USA
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posted 29 August 2002 04:40 AM
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Flat pick plus one finger pick. Most flexible, I'm not that complicated yet, steel is supplemental to my regular guitar. |
Wayne Cox
Member From: Chatham, Louisiana, USA
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posted 29 August 2002 09:28 AM
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True Story: Back when I was a full-time road warrior, I only used two finger picks w/thumb. One morning, in a bleak motel room,
I got up, bleary-eyed, stuck my hand in my shaving kit and sliced off the tip of my first finger. Had to work, so I quickly fitted a pick to go on my ring finger. After about two weeks of using it this way, it almost felt natural. My first finger recovered and I've used all three ever since. Moral: you never know what you can do untill you have to!
W.C. |
Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
Member From: Southaven, MS, USA
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posted 29 August 2002 08:28 PM
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To D. Hinson: That's probably why so many are looking for new sounds. Also many of the producers are lawyers. I think the panic button has been pressed. Maybe the lawyers would do better in medical malpractice. HJ |
Brett Day
Member From: Greer, SC, USA
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posted 01 September 2002 10:06 AM
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I use a thumb pick and two finger picks. I don't put a finger pick on my ring finger because I've always used my thumb, index, and middle fingers to pick. Brett Day, Emmons S-10 |
Dennis Yager
Member From: Stanley, VA, USA
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posted 01 September 2002 05:56 PM
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About 20 years back when I was dating my wife we watched a young fellow in a band on the north side of Richmond, va. at a Red Barn dinner club. He was picking a Bossan d10 using a flat guitar pick and two finger picks....I remember one of the songs was "Orange Blossem Special" and he was flat out super speed picking...back & forth with that flat guitar pick on the speed licks..sounded like Doug Jernigan in passing gear...and smooth on slow licks....I tryed it for a while but to no advail. |
Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
Member From: Southaven, MS, USA
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posted 02 September 2002 07:26 AM
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If it works, go for it! - however, there's no substitute (as far as I know) for a 5-finger sweep starting with the thumb and ending with the small finger and then back again. Until I came up with my 5-finger technique over 20 years ago, I'd never heard a steel guitar play an arpeggio; with this method an arpeggio can be executed as easily as done on the harp or piano. Speed playing can be faster than Django Reinhardt's, not to mention the innovations in chord expansion--using closed voicings or big spread piano voicings. - HJ |
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