[boredmatt]

I'm thinking of learning fingerpicking. I can't grow my nails because of my job and I don't know whether I'd need plastic fingerpicks (to act as nails).

I play electric so i'm not even sure wether i'd need them at all. my fingers are a little stubby at the end and this makes picking them without picking the next string too a little difficult.

Would getting them be a good idea?

Cheers!

Matt

[Noodler]

A really bad habit I got into years ago (and haven't stopped although I'm trying to), is using my index finger-nail as a pick. You know, "I can't find a pick, so I'll just use my index nail."

Why it's bad is this: I got used to the "feedback" from the strings as I play. Then when I play with a pick, I find I let it slip back so I'm playing with the pick and the index finger nail. To play with just the pick feels like wearing a raincoat in the shower, whereas the nail feels more natural. That's for both lead and rhythm playing.

When I first started playing, a guy told me, "If you don't play with a pick (assuming I'd always be a pick player), you may as well not practice; it's wasted time." I'd say there's a lot of truth in that for rock players because half the battle is synching the left and right hands, and you've got to relearn it all with a pick if you didn't practice with one while learning the left hand part.

Would have been much better off developing a callous on my thumb in the beginning, and using that. But I'm talking about using that index nail for everything, strumming up and down, picking leads, plucking, etc. ie using it like a pick. Bad idea in the long run. Rockers, use a pick! Get into the habit of using your stings to hold it (by folding it in bewteen them), or another way of attaching it to your guitar. My 2cents which a guy gave me for free.

[boredmatt]

Thanks for your help guys. I've decided to leave the finger picks out. went out and bought myself a secondhand nylon string acoustic on the cheap to help me learn.

[kumgang]

Hi, you don't need to let your nails grow too much in order to fingerpick. Try a little, and see what happens.
good luck and keepa practicing

[Jerold James]

I went to my local guitar store the other day and bought some thumb and fingerpicks. I took them home...put them on...picked up my guitar...and I sounded like Segovia -- wearing boxing gloves! It was pitiful!
I then let my nails grow some. My guitar-playing sounded O-K....but the nails got in the way of the typing I have to do at work.
The bottom line: I'll simply be a fingertip guy. I don't play for public consumption; I'm loud enough for me.
As for the thumb and fingerpicks, I'll probably keep them. They're pretty good for morning scratching.

[eddiez152]

Well,
When I first got here, I watched Kirk playing two of my most beloved tunes. Mr. Bo-jangles and Don't think twice. I watch his fingers pickin them strings like a ballerina dancer on the stage. His second and third finger doing the picking with the thumb just hit the bass lines. I sure wish many of you could see those lesson vid's.
Now I do two types of picking. Two finger, thumb and first or I guess some would call it claw hammer, or using the thumb and two fingers and occasional 3rd.
I play with a thumb pick mostly because I can move it quicker with the pick then I can without it.
I have tried finger picks but found them to be gadgets with no feeling for the string.
I have tried the salon nails and gotta tell you that that ain't gonna happen again. They are too stiff and thick, kinda like playing with a heavy pick on each finger. The worse part is when they gotta come off,so who ever said ladies ain't tuff.
I will try some samples when I get a chance to hear the differences of my playing. I find that with the thumb pick, I most certainly get volume and sharper tone.


Here is Wes Montgomery one thumb style.
YouTube - Wes MONTGOMERY "Twisted Blues" 1965

[carol m]

For people who have nails that split/break easily. You can apply a thin line of superglue along the top/tip of each nail to strengthen it. I use a pin dunked in the tube and then put it along the leading edge of each nail. It makes quite a difference and no-one will see it (if that is a concern). One tube of superglue will last for ages if you are careful to keep the opening clean and keep the cap on between applications.

Also on finger/thumb picks, if you buy the plastic ones (cheap) they are quite long, but you can easily file them down with a nail file to your own preferred shape/length. I don't use them but this filing does work well.

[Ldavis04]

For those of you who have problems chipping your fingernails, I have been using OPI nail strengthener for a few months now, and must admit that I have yet to shred a fingernail picking my steel string guitar (but have chipped and shredded them in other ways)...it comes in a matte finish, so guys won't get a glossy finish....heres a link:

OPI - Nail Treatments Nail Envy