Playing with pick

Maurice · #1 December 15th, 2005

Hi guys,

I always play with my fingers but I have joined a band now and I have to play with a plectrum.
I tried to play with a pick but it feels very uncomfortable to me since I am used to play finger style al this time

Does anyone have tips for practising to play with a pick so I can improve my playing?

Thanks

Maurice

mushroomlord · #2 December 15th, 2005

Hmm I don't really have a "killer tip" for you however If you don't already I would say practice using your fingers as well as the pick as much as possible (at the same time), you can do almost everything you can do fingerstyle with a pick and fingers then and you have the best of both worlds.

bluesguy · #3 December 15th, 2005

Although I play with a pick all the time, still trying to get this fingerpicking thing

, I would suggest that you consider just playing with your fingers instead of a pick. A famous blues guitarist, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf's guitarist) never plays with a pick. Buddy Guy (another blues guitarist) switches back and forth all the time.

drabbag · #4 December 15th, 2005

I think it sounds a lot better on an acoustic when using a pic, but there are just some songs that seem extremely difficult if not impossible to use a pick when playing. I try to switch back and forth on all the songs that I practice and I seem to know right away which sounds better and is more comfortable to play. Just keep practicing

Nichpo · #5 December 15th, 2005

After a while, you will just get used to a pick. But what I do is this : play with the pick for single note melodies, and when you want to hit different strings together, tuck the pick up into your index finger, and fingerpick. It works very well.

6string · #6 December 15th, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Hi guys,

I always play with my fingers but I have joined a band now and I have to play with a plectrum.
I tried to play with a pick but it feels very uncomfortable to me since I am used to play finger style al this time

Does anyone have tips for practising to play with a pick so I can improve my playing?

Thanks

Maurice

why is it you "have" to play with a pick now that you've joined a band?

MCH · #7 December 16th, 2005

Mark Knopfler is pretty well a fingerpicker only. Sometimes he will use a pick, but says it feels foreign. I would say Mark can make pretty nice sounds with his guitar.

LeeB · #8 December 20th, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesguy

Although I play with a pick all the time, still trying to get this fingerpicking thing

, I would suggest that you consider just playing with your fingers instead of a pick. A famous blues guitarist, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf's guitarist) never plays with a pick. Buddy Guy (another blues guitarist) switches back and forth all the time.

I am in the same boat.....frustrated that the fingers on my plucking hand are now sore

speaking of blues..I think playing around with the pentatonic scale would be a good way to practice using a pick
Yep.. "little Red Rooster" sounds pretty fine without a pick

simescan · #9 December 20th, 2005

Have you ever concidered a thumb pick??....It would give you the strumming capabilities, and you could still finger pick when you need that particular sound....just a thought!....

Kirk Lorange · #10 December 20th, 2005

I'll ask the same question, Maurice: why do feel you have to use a pick? I've played in too many bands to remember and never used a pick. Not that I oppose their use by any means ... most player do use them and you do get a cleaner attack ... but don't feel you have to use one.

Spyder F16 · #11 December 24th, 2005

Grow out your fingernail a bit, then you have a natural pick on the end of your finger

.

si16 · #12 December 25th, 2005

This video, which 6strings posted the other day, demonstrates what Spyder is talking about. Towards the end of this splendid rendition of 'Come Together' you can see the guitarist plays a fast lick which he appears to pick with the edge of his thumbnail.

http://www.unm.edu/~mchap/healdsburg_come_together.wmv

seagull · #13 December 26th, 2005

I have also had trouble with using a pick. Try different thicknesses, it does help to use a thinner one if your just starting with a pick. Keep practicing, it gets better all the time. Although after finding this site, and listening to Kirk's fingerpicking, I notice I am using the pick less. I feel I have better control just using my fingers.

seagull · #14 December 26th, 2005

How does that guy in the video of "Come together", keep from tearing his fingernails off each time he plays?

WernHalen · #15 December 27th, 2005

Try using a keratin supplement. I used Combin-K (spelling?) for a while and my nails and hair grew faster and stronger than ever... The keratine actually strengthens the nails plus the extra growth would help if you actually do break or wear away a nail....