Impromptu "Gig"

[Cripes]

Went to a local state park today with family to rent canoes and generally get reaquainted - been gone for awhile - when I see a kid about 16 or so sitting in the grass fingerpicking a steel string. Lots of people around. I always travel with a thumbpick in my front pocket and capo in my back - don't try that unless its a Shubb - so I go over to the kid and give him the thumbpick. He looks up at me and I tell him I can't hear his baseline. He takes it and says he's wanted to learn how to use one. Long story short, we trade off his guitar (Dean) playing various pieces (he was pretty good for a 6 month newby), he loves the thumbpick and we get an applause from the "audience". It was fun. Next time I'll bring 2 hats.

 

Yes, I let him keep the thumbpick and, no, I didn't think to get the model number of his guitar. It was a dread.

[Berkleo]

Hey is that a capo in your pocket or ....oh nevermind...

 

 

:poke:

[knockwood]

 

Went to a local state park today with family to rent canoes and generally get reaquainted - been gone for awhile - when I see a kid about 16 or so sitting in the grass fingerpicking a steel string. Lots of people around. I always travel with a thumbpick in my front pocket and capo in my back - don't try that unless its a Shubb - so I go over to the kid and give him the thumbpick. He looks up at me and I tell him I can't hear his baseline. He takes it and says he's wanted to learn how to use one. Long story short, we trade off his guitar (Dean) playing various pieces (he was pretty good for a 6 month newby), he loves the thumbpick and we get an applause from the "audience". It was fun. Next time I'll bring 2 hats. Yes, I let him keep the thumbpick and, no, I didn't think to get the model number of his guitar. It was a dread.

 

 

Been wanting to learn to use a thumbpick/fingerpicks myself. Wonder if I could ever get used to anything other than bare fingers. Love the volume and clarity of picks, though.

[Samilyn]

Very cool, Cripes. I bet that kid will never forget you.

[guitarist21]

Totally cool. Did you like the Dean much? I find them to be pretty anemic on the whole.

 

Ellen

[Cripes]

Took me a looooong time evolving to fingernails and thumbpick. I tried steel and plastic fingerpicks - can't stand them - so fingernails it is. Now I can't play with my fingertips anymore. The sound is just too muted, especially when you finally get that $$$$$-git that responds to the slightest touch and fingertips alone make it sound like a $-git.

 

Prior to going to the LB Jam with Kwak last October I lost the fingernails on my picking hand when a heavy box my son and I were carrying got away from us during a move. So, I didn't bother to try playing while there.

[Cripes]

 

Totally cool. Did you like the Dean much? I find them to be pretty anemic on the whole. Ellen

 

 

You know, I wasn't really focused on critique-time. It played well enough but I was focused on him and his use of the thumbpick.

[guitarist21]

You know, I wasn't really focused on critique-time. It played well enough but I was focused on him and his use of the thumbpick.

 

That's way more important anyhow.

[Samilyn]

 

Been wanting to learn to use a thumbpick/fingerpicks myself. Wonder if I could ever get used to anything other than bare fingers. Love the volume and clarity of picks, though.

 

 

I'm not crazy about fingerpicks, but I do use them when the music or need for volume calls for them.

 

They do take some getting used to. I started with soft brass fingerpicks and a plastic thumb pick that was trimmed down a great deal.

 

At first, helps if you exaggerate your finger/thumb motion when you pick the roll (pattern) in order to get adequate string clearance. (Think of a horse prancing and lifting its feet real high.) In other words, you've got 1/4" of plastic hanging off your thumb, so naturally you won't hold your thumb as close to the strings as you customarily do and you'll have to pull it farther away from the string after every stroke.

 

Fingers, clearance not so much an issue. The weight of the picks and loss of feeling the string is what you'll probably notice more than anything else. You just have to use your ears instead of feel to get the desired volume and/or effect.

 

As you get used to the weight and string clearances of the picks, then you can tighten your motion back up again. Like everything else, just takes practice.

 

And I like soft metal picks better than plastic. Metal ones are easy to adjust for comfort and fit.

 

Sorry for the thread-jack, Cripes. And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

[Berkleo]

Took me a looooong time evolving to fingernails and thumbpick. I tried steel and plastic fingerpicks - can't stand them - so fingernails it is. Now I can't play with my fingertips anymore. The sound is just too muted, especially when you finally get that $$$$$-git that responds to the slightest touch and fingertips alone make it sound like a $-git. Prior to going to the LB Jam with Kwak last October I lost the fingernails on my picking hand when a heavy box my son and I were carrying got away from us during a move. So, I didn't bother to try playing while there.

 

I've tried and tried to grow nails but they just drive me nuts and I end up cutting them. It kills me because the sound IS so much better than fingertips. Wish someone had handed me a thumbpick as a newby because I just can't seem to get the hang of them now either.

[Samilyn]

I've tried and tried to grow nails but they just drive me nuts and I end up cutting them. It kills me because the sound IS so much better than fingertips. Wish someone had handed me a thumbpick as a newby because I just can't seem to get the hang of them now either.

 

I was lucky that folks like Cripes came into my life when I was a noob, folks who were willing to show me a thing or two or three. But never did learn about finger and thumb picks. That came later and I learned on my own.

 

Just get a few of them that fit around your thumb comfortably, then trim one real short, the next one a little longer, and the third, keep at full length. Start learning to use these with the shortest one first. If you're like me, you might never pick with a full-length one. I cut all of mine down now.

 

The trick is to keep practicing, as with everything else we pickers do. The pick is a tool. You may not like it, but you can learn to use it, and thus add versatility to your music.

 

Believe me, Berkleo, if an old biddy like me can use these things, anybody can.

[kwakatak]

 

Prior to going to the LB Jam with Kwak last October I lost the fingernails on my picking hand when a heavy box my son and I were carrying got away from us during a move. So, I didn't bother to try playing while there.

 

 

I don't think you ever mentioned that, but it answers some unspoken questions. Good to see you're settled in.

[Terry Allan Hall]

Totally cool. Did you like the Dean much? I find them to be pretty anemic on the whole. Ellen

 

Some are pretty nice, some are pretty forgetable...usually, they sound a lot better plugged-in.

 

OTOH, my Dean CE-1 is a great sounding axe, either way, but (as you may well notice ) it's a reso.

 

[Stackabones]

I always see vids of Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed and wish I could thumbpick. I either hybrid/chicken pick or go all fingers. Probably could just sit down and woodshed with the thumbpick, but meh probably won't. Should though.

[Berkleo]

I was lucky that folks like Cripes came into my life when I was a noob, folks who were willing to show me a thing or two or three. But never did learn about finger and thumb picks. That came later and I learned on my own. Just get a few of them that fit around your thumb comfortably, then trim one real short, the next one a little longer, and the third, keep at full length. Start learning to use these with the shortest one first. If you're like me, you might never pick with a full-length one. I cut all of mine down now. The trick is to keep practicing, as with everything else we pickers do. The pick is a tool. You may not like it, but you can learn to use it, and thus add versatility to your music. Believe me, Berkleo, if an old biddy like me can use these things, anybody can.

 

Jeez, great idea. I'd never thought of this. I tried to pm you so I wouldn't sound like such a dope in public but two questions: What kind of picks are you using and what do you use to cut them down?

[Cripes]

Jeez, great idea. I'd never thought of this. I tried to pm you so I wouldn't sound like such a dope in public but two questions: What kind of picks are you using and what do you use to cut them down?

 

Get yourself some good emery boards, a set of large fingernail clippers that have a fairly straight cut (not the curved ones), and very fine sandpaper. The fine paper should be at least 800 grit. Walmart has paper up to 1200 grit in the automotive section so everything can be found there. This is what I used to re-work the plastic Alaska Picks.

 

Or, get youself a nicely equipped Dremel tool kit. Every household isn't complete without one.

[totamus]

I have gotten to the point that I am comfy with fingers, picks, fingerpicks and thumbpicks. Being a banjo player undoubtedly helped (banjo is in remission, no need for sympathy). My advice is to just go off, and as Stack put it, "woodshed" it. We are all quite adaptable - you would be surprised at the short length of time it takes to get used to thumb or fingerpicks. definately less than a week, prolly a day or two.

 

My preference is a thumbpick, muting the bass strings slightly with my palm, and two fingers w/o picks for treble notes.

 

When you use finger picks, you lose the ability to do downstrokes with the fingers. You can work around that, but I wouild rather have the option and not be limited.

[Samilyn]

Jeez, great idea. I'd never thought of this. I tried to pm you so I wouldn't sound like such a dope in public but two questions: What kind of picks are you using and what do you use to cut them down?

 

First of all, you don't sound like a dope. Second, I just put you on my buddy list, so now you can PM me anytime.

 

Third, how are you going to know if you don't ask? Ain't no such critter as a dumb question.

 

I'll address thumb pick first:

 

I first got my best results with some light-density plastic Dunlops. The real thick, stiff ones proved difficult, though I can certainly use one now when I have to. Dunlop tends to be a pretty tight fit, so be sure to try on different ones. A so-called "large" is actually too tight for my thumb and cuts off circulation after a little while. Ouch!

 

For the most part, I use a medium-density dinky cut-down "no name" pick I found at some store or flea market or ??. It has no name on it and is only 1/4" all the way around, including blade. The blade sticks out 3/16" from the edge of my thumb. Very comfy, yet doesn't slide around when the picking gets fast and furious.

 

For very-heavy bass accent, I use an ancient National that's very thick. It's not shaped much different than a Dunlop, but fits around my fat thumb better.

 

The National is 3/8" at the widest part of the blade, tapering up to about 1/2" resting on the pad of my thumb. The extra width there gives a lot of stability. The blade sticks out 1/4", requiring a more exaggerated thumb motion on my part. It also stays put pretty well.

 

Plastic is easy to trim. I use a pair of nail clippers to cut down and rough-shape, then smooth with an emery board. I round off the end, both to suit my angle of attack and because I don't like a real sharp, pointy pick.

 

As to the finger ones:

 

My metal ones are Dunlop, .015. Fairly light, but not so pliable that heavy picking bends them.

 

With the metal picks, I slide them on and match the tip of the pick to the end of my fingernail. I then curve the pick part inward around the tip of my finger so the pick tip is very close to the end of my own nail - almost touching the tip, which is a length I'm used to. (Sometimes I catch a string between the pick and my nail, in which case the resulting sound is a twang of epic proportions. )

 

Since you don't wear your nails long, I recommend sliding them far enough down on your finger to imitate a rather short fingernail. If that is uncomfortable or if the ends are still too long, you can use a diamond-coated file or a Dremel tool + stone to shorten and shape a metal pick. I tape the pick to a wooden dowel if I'm shaping with the Dremel. Please observe all safety precautions when shaping metal with a power tool - safety glasses, gloves, etc. I've had a Dremel slip and put more than one nasty cut in my hand.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me if you don't want to post.

[Cripes]

 

I have gotten to the point that I am comfy with fingers, picks, fingerpicks and thumbpicks. Being a banjo player undoubtedly helped (banjo is in remission, no need for sympathy). My advice is to just go off, and as Stack put it, "woodshed" it. We are all quite adaptable - you would be surprised at the short length of time it takes to get used to thumb or fingerpicks. definately less than a week, prolly a day or two. My preference is a thumbpick, muting the bass strings slightly with my palm, and two fingers w/o picks for treble notes. When you use finger picks, you lose the ability to do downstrokes with the fingers. You can work around that, but I wouild rather have the option and not be limited.

 

 

Agreed. We are adaptable.

 

The 3 weeks I spent with the Alaska Picks let me know what they could and could not do. When you play with all 5 fingers and play fairly quick pieces they inhibit arpeggios dramatically. You end up having to space your fingers further apart or they collide with each other.

 

Simple test: Drum your fingers on a table with and without fingerpicks. The clearance between your fingers in greatly reduced. If you play with your fingers closely grouped (I do) they will conflict with each other and I decided that if the picks didn't work for me, I wasn't about to work for them. That's the tail wagging the dog. Add in the fact they do become dislodged often and you have a recipe for frustration vs making music. In the end it's more a gear curiosity than practicality for me.

[Berkleo]

I'll address thumb pick first: I first got my best results with some light-density plastic Dunlops. The real thick, stiff ones proved difficult, though I can certainly use one now when I have to. Dunlop tends to be a pretty tight fit, so be sure to try on different ones. A so-called "large" is actually too tight for my thumb and cuts off circulation after a little while. Ouch! For the most part, I use a medium-density dinky cut-down "no name" pick I found at some store or flea market or ??. It has no name on it and is only 1/4" all the way around, including blade. The blade sticks out 3/16" from the edge of my thumb. Very comfy, yet doesn't slide around when the picking gets fast and furious. For very-heavy bass accent, I use an ancient National that's very thick. It's not shaped much different than a Dunlop, but fits around my fat thumb better. The National is 3/8" at the widest part of the blade, tapering up to about 1/2" resting on the pad of my thumb. The extra width there gives a lot of stability. The blade sticks out 1/4", requiring a more exaggerated thumb motion on my part. It also stays put pretty well. Plastic is easy to trim. I use a pair of nail clippers to cut down and rough-shape, then smooth with an emery board. I round off the end, both to suit my angle of attack and because I don't like a real sharp, pointy pick. As to the finger ones: My metal ones are Dunlop, .015. Fairly light, but not so pliable that heavy picking bends them. With the metal picks, I slide them on and match the tip of the pick to the end of my fingernail. I then curve the pick part inward around the tip of my finger so the pick tip is very close to the end of my own nail - almost touching the tip, which is a length I'm used to. (Sometimes I catch a string between the pick and my nail, in which case the resulting sound is a twang of epic proportions. ) Since you don't wear your nails long, I recommend sliding them far enough down on your finger to imitate a rather short fingernail. If that is uncomfortable or if the ends are still too long, you can use a diamond-coated file or a Dremel tool + stone to shorten and shape a metal pick. I tape the pick to a wooden dowel if I'm shaping with the Dremel. Please observe all safety precautions when shaping metal with a power tool - safety glasses, gloves, etc. I've had a Dremel slip and put more than one nasty cut in my hand.

 

...fresh from having Googled just what the heck a Dremel is......conclusion....I AM a dope, but at least I have an idea how to shape a pick AND carve a pumpkin! That would be the Dremel 764-04 Pumpkin Carving Kit which includes 6-Volt Minimite Cordless Rotary Tool and 10 Templates but I digress....

 

Thanks Cripes and Samilyn for taking the time to explain that to me. Just another reason I love this forum: You can always find good info on stuff you set out to specifically research, but you can also just be surfin' along and pickup something cool. Can't wait to try this out!

[Samilyn]

...fresh from having Googled just what the heck a Dremel is......conclusion....I AM a dope, but at least I have an idea how to shape a pick AND carve a pumpkin! That would be the Dremel 764-04 Pumpkin Carving Kit which includes 6-Volt Minimite Cordless Rotary Tool and 10 Templates but I digress.... Thanks Cripes and Samilyn for taking the time to explain that to me. Just another reason I love this forum: You can always find good info on stuff you set out to specifically research, but you can also just be surfin' along and pickup something cool. Can't wait to try this out!

 

I'm not sure about a cordless one. Last one I had, (some oddball brand) batteries ran down quickly at high carving speeds. Had to keep 6 or 8 batteries on hand for a few hours worth of work. That one lasted less than 2 years. Replacement tool was real Dremel with ordinary 120v plug. Definitely a worthwhile investment.

 

If you get a Dremel, be sure to invest in one with a "flexi-shaft". Much easier to work with the small handpiece than the whole fat motor end itself. I can't believe how many uses I find for mine, but pumpkin carving isn't one I've ever considered.

 

ROFLMAO....Envisioning grandkids + pumpkins + Dremel. I'd be scrubbing orange crud off my walls for a year!!

[Cripes]

 

ROFLMAO....Envisioning grandkids + pumpkins + Dremel. I'd be scrubbing orange crud off my walls for a year!!

 

 

LOL. It's pumpkin sludge. Seems more accurate, anyway. I also use it as an endearment: "C'mere my little pumpkin sludge". Kids love it.

 

I use the Dremel for lots of things. Lately I use it for inlays on decorative wood boxes. I put a router attachment on the end of a standard model and it's great for that kind of work. Instead of buying a bunch of different colored "exotic" woods I cheat and stain scrap pieces of bass wood and fashion them for the inlays.

[Samilyn]

 

LOL. It's pumpkin sludge. Seems more accurate, anyway. I also use it as an endearment: "C'mere my little pumpkin sludge". Kids love it. I use the Dremel for lots of things. Lately I use it for inlays on decorative wood boxes. I put a router attachment on the end of a standard model and it's great for that kind of work. Instead of buying a bunch of different colored "exotic" woods I cheat and stain scrap pieces of bass wood and fashion them for the inlays.

 

 

LOL. I'm going to have to remember that one - especially when the kids have technicolor faces from eating orange popcicles all summer. Then it can carry right over to Halloween fun time.

 

Wish I had more time to do woodwork and other hobbies. I really enjoy carving with the Dremel.