Members guitguy26 Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I've been playing around a little with fingerstyle on my acoustic, but I can't get the hang of any of the fingerpicks I tried, and I don't like to grow out my right-hand nails at all...I've been thinking about just developing a style with bare fingers and thumb. Does anyone here like to play this way? I like the feel of playing this way, but sometimes I don't get quite enough presence, or am not able to get all the notes in a chord to ring out evenly. I've had much more success with this on electric guitar, but on steel- or nylon-string acoustics it's a different story. I'm thinking if I played live or did any recording, I'd have to jack the high frequencies a little, or maybe I'd develop some serious callouses and get a sharper and more even attack on the strings that way... Does anyone play with bare fingers? Any advice they'd like to share? Thanks...
Members Cams Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 Thumpick and bare fingers for me. You don't actually need long nails, just long enough. In fact, if they're too long they'll break much more easily. It took me a couple of years to learn that they only need to be long enough. A good file is important too. I got a glass one that allows you to file in both directions, you can take it on an aeroplane and it's unbreakable (allegedly; I'm not planning to test it!). I usually file every three days or so and haven't had a broken nail for a while now.
Members frankentele Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 Yup, and I gnaw on the nail on my right thumb too. I mostly use the thumb to slap the bass strings while I pick with my curled-up fingers. If I need to pick a bass note, I use the 'corner' of my thumb. I've tried thumbpicks and like you I just can't get into 'em.
Members Dobie Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I'm surely a novice compared to the guys in this column but I use bare fingers and thumb. Using the Carcasi (sp?) book, my teacher jokes about the fist fights between guitarists of the olden days arguing over "nails vs. no nails". Presence and volume can be worked on but never like using a pick or your nails. I actually prefer using the finger pads and transferring to the electric sounds REAL good. Have fun.
Members redstevo Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 Yeah, this is the way I play at the moment but am getting a classical soon so I might develop some nail technique!. I use the pads of my fingers and thumbs and play (try to) with all 5 digits. Its a long slow road but I've found there is constant (if modest ) improvement and the knowledge you build up by doing this slowly helps you to get better more quickly. Its about control more than strength and I've found this can only be achieved through time practicing. I threw away my pick about 8 years ago and I would say I am now significantly better than I ever was using them. I've also found that fingerpicking means I play guitar in a more original way than I used to. The control of dynamics will come if you choose to put the time in;)
Members kwakatak Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I also use bare fingers with just a little extra nail. I use the fleshy part of my thumb and the nails on my index and middle finger only. I also have the "thin nail" problem where they either break, split or just plain fall off. When that happens my playing is for $#!t and I hardly play as much because I can't get the same tone using the fleshy tips of my fingers.
Members kingputz Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 If I'm sitting on the sofa at home I'll use bare fingers and thumb. If I'm playing out, I use a thumb pick with Alaska finger picks. They require you to have a bit of finger nail but they act and sound more like fingernails than say the Dunlap finger picks because the fleshy part of the finger is exposed. For me, finger picks provide a cleaner, more consistant tone. I used the Dunlap style picks for 30 years but they tend to have a "tink" when you play. What ever works for you but don't be afraid to try different methods, you might find you like playing differently depending on the situation.
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 On acoustic guitar I frequently go with bare fingers/no nail...do use finger/thumbpicks on banjo, dobro and Hawaiian and occ. acoustic.
Members zookie Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I play with my thumb, index and middle fingers, using the fleshy fingertips. For volume and attack I pluck the strings with more force. I find this works for me when playing arpeggios with lead or bass runs. For a bigger, more percussive sound I use a pick.
Members guitarcapo Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I'd love the volume and tone that fingerpicks would give me but they fly off my hands too easy so it's just bare handed for me. Nails break too easy too.
Members paulh Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I generally play fingerstyle with no picks - I've been using GHS Bright Bronze strings to brighten up the sound. The only problem is flatpicking the bright strings can be a little to bright. I may try regular Bronze next time. Or, I could buy another guitar (I can't believe I didn't think of that when I first posted my reply)
Members takeout Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 Anyone try the fake nail thing? My nails get notches ground into them by the strings after an hour of hard playing or so. Of course, shoddy technique may have something to do with it...
Members s_walker Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I was taught by my teacher to use the sides of my fingertips rather than my nails. So, yes, I fingerpick with bare fingers/thumb. I might try using a thumbpick sometime, though.
Members likkafella Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I play with flesh and bare thumb and play a classical guitar.
Members bsman Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I used to try and use nails, but I find that the condition of nails is too changable from day to day - some days, everything was great, and the next day, there was a 'burr' on my thumbnail that caught the string, etc. Therefore, I have for the past couple of years used fingertips/pads w/out using the nail on the string. I have found that this way, I can be consistent day in and day out without all the hassle of obsessive/compulsive nail maintenance.
Members Smilin' Bob Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 Bare thumb and fingers or flat pick (depending) on the 000-18, but plastic thumb pick and brass finger picks on the Dean Resonator. Of course, bare fingers on the classical too. I like brass finger picks the best because they kind of "bite" the string and improve (IMHO) the attack. A banjo-playng friend showed me that this quality can be further improved by annealing them - heating to red heat on the stove (let them cool off, of course) - makes them softer, and you can also get a better finger fit. I also bend the tips over a little to further improve attack. If your hands tend to sweat, the metal picks may want to come off as you play. If so, line them with adhesive "mole skin" for foot blisters. Your fingers will like it too!
Members andrewjudah Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 Nothin but bare hands here... I switch between struming and finger picking alot, and also some hybrid stuff.. so I dont have time for clunky thumb picks.
Members jazzalta Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 Originally posted by likkafella I play with flesh and bare thumb and play a classical guitar. Bravo! This is the best way to play as far as I'm concerned to evoke the truest expression and feeling in your music. I've tried nails but it just didn't capture the intimacy that I wanted. It's an endless debate and whatever works for you I guess is the best.
Members die kthxbai Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 i do it on a acoustic steel stringed guitar, but i don't play much with my fingers. i just do that when i do play with my fingers.
Members EvilTwin Posted July 19, 2004 Members Posted July 19, 2004 I also play fingerstyle with bare fingers and thumb. Sometimes I grow my nails out a little, and it's fun to experiment...but in general, it's just skin and string for me.
Members gerardo1000 Posted July 20, 2004 Members Posted July 20, 2004 Stefan Grossman plays with bare fingers. No fingerpicks, no long nails.The results he accomplishes prove that it is VERY possible to play thisway.I personally do not use thumbpicks and long nails, however I find that ifyour nails are just a bit long, just a bit, so that they touch the string immediately after the flesh, the guitar sounds more lively. Gerardo1000
Members Jim S Posted July 21, 2004 Members Posted July 21, 2004 Originally posted by guitguy26 bare fingers and thumb. Does anyone here like to play this way? I Does anyone play with bare fingers? YES! All the time.
Members digitalsnipe Posted July 31, 2004 Members Posted July 31, 2004 I use my fingernails. The can handle the work of fingerpicking hard and fast on a 12-string acoustic. However, I have tried various devices in the past but they just could not substitute for bare fingers. I did recently have the fun of attending an open jam with various guitarists and saw many of them using the artificial glue-on nails. If I had to choose between the glue-ons and the music shop stuff I'd go for the former.
Members fingerpicker Posted July 31, 2004 Members Posted July 31, 2004 I was taught classical and at the college level 99% used fingernails.I still use nails and I've added a small thumbpick. A fellow player here uses just bare skin, and plays enough to have some good callouses. He sounds great and the hardened skin gives him decent volume. If it works for you - do it.
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