Finger Picking

[twfields]

I want to focus more on finger picking. I notice that Tommy E. and Chet A. use thumb picks. Stephen King does not seem to use picks or nails. You seem to use thumb and finger nails. Which is best method and why. Also if I am right and you grow your nails out what happens if you break a nail?

Thanks-

tfields

[dennisg]

Stephen King doesn't use thumb picks because they get in the way when he's trying to write his horror novels.

I think the general response that you'll get from people is to choose whatever method works best for you. No single picking method is best. I used to use a thumb pick, but I found that it produced too loud a volume compared to the strings that weren't being struck by the pick. I also tried growing out my fingernails, but they broke if I so much as gave them a dirty look. Finally, I followed my wife into a nail salon one day and got acrylic nails. Best thing I ever did for my guitar playing. They never break, and it's like having easy-to-use finger picks on each finger.

[Music Junkie]

dennisg wrote:

Stephen King doesn't use thumb picks because they get in the way when he's trying to write his horror novels.

I think the general response that you'll get from people is to choose whatever method works best for you. No single picking method is best. I used to use a thumb pick, but I found that it produced too loud a volume compared to the strings that weren't being struck by the pick. I also tried growing out my fingernails, but they broke if I so much as gave them a dirty look. Finally, I followed my wife into a nail salon one day and got acrylic nails. Best thing I ever did for my guitar playing. They never break, and it's like having easy-to-use finger picks on each finger.

First off, lol, Dennis, that was a good one.....

I have tried thumbpicks and fingerpicks, and found them to be very cumbersome (just did not spend enough time to get used to them). I just grow my nails out, and have to deal with the breakage from time to time. It is a bit of a hassle, but mine grow back fairly quickly. I have tossed around the idea of getting acrylics, like Dennis mentioned, but I am waiting for my man-card to expire on it's own before doing that... :silly: :silly: I have read several articles, and found that MANY folks like the acrylics, and they truly are very durable. I will probably get there eventually, but I will probably have to go to another town to do so. Don't want anyone to recognize me...haha...

Jason

[sbutler]

Music Junkie wrote:

dennisg wrote:

Stephen King doesn't use thumb picks because they get in the way when he's trying to write his horror novels.

I think the general response that you'll get from people is to choose whatever method works best for you. No single picking method is best. I used to use a thumb pick, but I found that it produced too loud a volume compared to the strings that weren't being struck by the pick. I also tried growing out my fingernails, but they broke if I so much as gave them a dirty look. Finally, I followed my wife into a nail salon one day and got acrylic nails. Best thing I ever did for my guitar playing. They never break, and it's like having easy-to-use finger picks on each finger.

First off, lol, Dennis, that was a good one.....

I have tried thumbpicks and fingerpicks, and found them to be very cumbersome (just did not spend enough time to get used to them). I just grow my nails out, and have to deal with the breakage from time to time. It is a bit of a hassle, but mine grow back fairly quickly. I have tossed around the idea of getting acrylics, like Dennis mentioned, but I am waiting for my man-card to expire on it's own before doing that... :silly: :silly: I have read several articles, and found that MANY folks like the acrylics, and they truly are very durable. I will probably get there eventually, but I will probably have to go to another town to do so. Don't want anyone to recognize me...haha...

Jason

Jason, like Dennis, I too have closed my eyes, held my nose and walked into a nail salon to get the acrylics. After having done it once, I will never again be embarrassed to go back. They are just that GREAT. However, unlike Dennis, I have broken them. Doing construction like work is hard on anything you have, but the acrylics are 5 times tougher than natural nail. So be a man, stand up straight, chest out, walk into a salon and say "HELL YES, ITS FOR ME" (there are usually a bunch of cute chicks in there to take your mind off your man card expiration) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Music Junkie]

sbutler wrote:

Jason, like Dennis, I too have closed my eyes, held my nose and walked into a nail salon to get the acrylics. After having done it once, I will never again be embarrassed to go back. They are just that GREAT. However, unlike Dennis, I have broken them. Doing construction like work is hard on anything you have, but the acrylics are 5 times tougher than natural nail. So be a man, stand up straight, chest out, walk into a salon and say "HELL YES, ITS FOR ME" (there are usually a bunch of cute chicks in there to take your mind off your man card expiration) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Scott:

You are right about the construction-like work. I do all my own remodels, etc. at the house, and find that damage is inevitable...

When you go in. what do you ask for? Is there a certain model number...lol... My wife has told me that she would go with me, but that might be worse!!!!!

I also hear you about the cute women in there. That would certainly ease the burden. I would make sure to wear my manly man shirt though....image and all........

J

[dennisg]

Music Junkie wrote:

sbutler wrote:

Jason, like Dennis, I too have closed my eyes, held my nose and walked into a nail salon to get the acrylics. After having done it once, I will never again be embarrassed to go back. They are just that GREAT. However, unlike Dennis, I have broken them. Doing construction like work is hard on anything you have, but the acrylics are 5 times tougher than natural nail. So be a man, stand up straight, chest out, walk into a salon and say "HELL YES, ITS FOR ME" (there are usually a bunch of cute chicks in there to take your mind off your man card expiration) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Scott:

You are right about the construction-like work. I do all my own remodels, etc. at the house, and find that damage is inevitable...

When you go in. what do you ask for? Is there a certain model number...lol... My wife has told me that she would go with me, but that might be worse!!!!!

I also hear you about the cute women in there. That would certainly ease the burden. I would make sure to wear my manly man shirt though....image and all........

J

Don't try to butch it up, Jason, or they'll just figure you're a gay guy using the nail salon to take his first peek out of the closet. Just smile at all the nice ladies and enjoy what is for a straight guy a very unusual experience. I happen to not look like a typical nail salon customer, so every time I go in there, all activity stops in mid-buff, and everyone stares at me as if they're only moments from ripping the pepper spray out of their purses. But when I say, "I need a fill," everyone seems to relax and activity resumes.

Just ask for acrylic nails on the four picking fingers. (I don't put an acrylic on my pinky finger because I almost never pick with it.) As your nails grow out, you'll need to go back to the salon about once every three weeks and ask for a fill. And periodically, they'll need to replace the nails with new ones as they get a little funky. Make sure you have them trim them to the exact length you want.

[Music Junkie]

dennisg wrote:

Don't try to butch it up, Jason, or they'll just figure you're a gay guy using the nail salon to take his first peek out of the closet. Just smile at all the nice ladies and enjoy what is for a straight guy a very unusual experience. I happen to not look like a typical nail salon customer, so every time I go in there, all activity stops in mid-buff, and everyone stares at me as if they're only moments from ripping the pepper spray out of their purses. But when I say, "I need a fill," everyone seems to relax and activity resumes.

Just ask for acrylic nails on the four picking fingers. (I don't put an acrylic on my pinky finger because I almost never pick with it.) As your nails grow out, you'll need to go back to the salon about once every three weeks and ask for a fill. And periodically, they'll need to replace the nails with new ones as they get a little funky. Make sure you have them trim them to the exact length you want.

Dennis, I always love your responses... I like to jest, but have no problems going into a salon. I just wasn't sure about what to ask for. Out of curiosity, how long do you get yours? Do you just kind of show them a length, or is there some measurement from the tip of your fingers. I assume you just tell them you want them, and just kind of point out how much you want them to stick out.

J

[dennisg]

Music Junkie wrote:

dennisg wrote:

Don't try to butch it up, Jason, or they'll just figure you're a gay guy using the nail salon to take his first peek out of the closet. Just smile at all the nice ladies and enjoy what is for a straight guy a very unusual experience. I happen to not look like a typical nail salon customer, so every time I go in there, all activity stops in mid-buff, and everyone stares at me as if they're only moments from ripping the pepper spray out of their purses. But when I say, "I need a fill," everyone seems to relax and activity resumes.

Just ask for acrylic nails on the four picking fingers. (I don't put an acrylic on my pinky finger because I almost never pick with it.) As your nails grow out, you'll need to go back to the salon about once every three weeks and ask for a fill. And periodically, they'll need to replace the nails with new ones as they get a little funky. Make sure you have them trim them to the exact length you want.

Dennis, I always love your responses... I like to jest, but have no problems going into a salon. I just wasn't sure about what to ask for. Out of curiosity, how long do you get yours? Do you just kind of show them a length, or is there some measurement from the tip of your fingers. I assume you just tell them you want them, and just kind of point out how much you want them to stick out.

J

I don't ask for a specific length, mostly because the woman who does my nails speaks very little English. So I tend to just point to a spot on the nail that I want her to trim it down to. Better to get them a little too short (since they'll grow out) than a little too long (they're so hard, you'll never be able to trim them yourself with anything less than a Dremel tool). Since I go there every three weeks now, the nice Vietnamese lady who does my nails knows pretty much how long I want them.

[Music Junkie]

Sounds about right. As always, thanks for the great info.

[twfields]

Thanks to all for the advice; still wonder what the logic is for different methods. King holds the neck at about 10 o'clock position, much like true classical posture which I assume is more effective for picking with thumb and finger pad. Chet and Tommy have almost identical styles using the thumb pick. Think the acrylics make sense and the trip to the nail salon sounds pretty interesting-lol