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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Using Fingerpicks | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sun May 17th, 2009 11:43 pm |
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1st Post |
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Steve922 Approved
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I was wondering if there are many people use fingerpicks on the Guitar? I have much difficulty maintaining any nails at all - they break and chip as soon as they get to any length. This makes for an inconsistency which I'm thinking might be nicely overcome by using fingerpicks. What do you think? Can you point out any advantages or disadvantages or general thoughts about picking Guitar using fingerpicks? TIA, Steve
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| Posted: Mon May 18th, 2009 01:46 am |
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2nd Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Quite a few pickers use fingerpicks. I was never able to adjust my fine motor movements to make the use of them viable for me. I fingerpick without fingerpicks, but then, I played classical and folk guitar for the first 40 years or so of my music life. Don't use fingerpicks on a nylon-strung (classical) guitar. Welcome to ezFolk!
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Mon May 18th, 2009 12:52 pm |
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3rd Post |
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OctoberSky Approved
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i use metal finger picks (don't know the brand) but i rarely use them because i have more control with my bare fingers. i'm sorry if this info is not helpful. i can say that i have tried using a plastic thumb pick but using plastic caused a "numbing" feeling. so i use the metal thumb and finger picks when i get the urge to go for a different sound--less control
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| Posted: Thu May 28th, 2009 07:08 pm |
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4th Post |
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Bikewer Approved
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I use them for the same reason; fragile nails. Every time I'd get my nails "just right", I'd bust one... I use the "Pro Pick" fingerpicks; they have a cutout so that the pad of your fingertip can feel the string. They also have four little adjustment tabs instead of the usual two; makes 'em a little more secure IMO. One thing I've found is to angle the picking surface slightly so you get a nice "square" contact with the string. Eliminates that nasty scraping sound you sometimes get.
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| Posted: Sat May 30th, 2009 03:54 am |
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5th Post |
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InTheSticks Approved
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I am curious are you already using finger picks on banjo? If so will sure give you leg up on most guitar pickers starting out with them. Finger picks are great - but they do have a different sound than fingernails. Most are brighter than fingernails to my ear. I prefer the nails sound others prefer the picks. I used to polish my nails for a little extra strength. In rural Texas long polished nails can get you looked at a little funny  but it does make em last better. Finger picks are cheap so try them. But also try bare fingers (no nails). not quite as distinct but much warmer. I have been using a thumb pick with bare fingers for Travis picking and some Carter style rhythm seems to really drive the bass line. I like it for what I do. Guess the point of this ramble try it different ways with things that don’t take long or cost much.. Even if you don’t like it you will learn something you may use later.
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| Posted: Sat May 30th, 2009 04:27 am |
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6th Post |
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DaveVisi Approved 
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Although I personally didn't like them, you can also try the "Alaska" pick. Instead of covering the pads of your fingers, it fits more like a natural nail. You need just enough nail for it to fit under so it doesn't slip. Buy more than you think you'll need. These are made for modifying and can require a lot of shaping before finding a fit you like.
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| Posted: Sat May 30th, 2009 11:02 pm |
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7th Post |
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UkeForever Approved 
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I use fingerpicks because I love the sound of metal on metal--it really brings the most out of the tone in my guitars. I appreciate those who use fingernails, but what a hassle to maintain! Metal fingerpicks hurt at first, but you have to work through the pain. It can be done. I almost exclusively use ProPiks. They are very form-fitting, and they cause me the least amount of pain. My fingers are too big to use the plastic-style fingerpicks. Strangely, I've found that shorter thumbpicks give me a tighter, brighter bass sound.
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| Posted: Sun May 31st, 2009 04:22 pm |
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8th Post |
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OctoberSky Approved
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 I've noted some interesting comments regarding "finger nails" vs finger picks. You mentioned, "the hassle to maintain" finger nails. This seems odd to me.If someone chooses to use/maintain their nails for playing then why would they see it as a hassle? Okay. So it would be a hassle for you. When I played a nylon string I wanted to maintain my nails... it was one way to achieve a particular sound.
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| Posted: Sun May 31st, 2009 04:52 pm |
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9th Post |
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DaveVisi Approved
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Believe me, it can be a major hassle. Keeping them up and still having to work without breaking oneis difficult all by itself. It also makes for some awkward moments when you have to explain to your coworkers when you break a nail. Using acrylics is even worse. It eventually deteriorated my natural nails so bad they were nearly paper thin. It took me months to recover after stopping using artifical nail products.
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| Posted: Sun May 31st, 2009 08:11 pm |
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10th Post |
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OctoberSky Approved
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I think I understand what you are saying. I do feel that using "real" finger nails while playing a steel string seems like a risky proposition and those who are able to utilize this method are in the minority. Again, this is what I imagine. I assume most steel string player use either fingers (no nail) or finger picks. If my assumptions are wrong I do apologize for being presumptuous about this concern/subject. I completely agree regarding your experience with using acrylic nails. I feel "lucky" that my nails held up very well using a classical guitar but I would not consider using my real nails on a steel strings.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 1st, 2009 03:28 pm |
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11th Post |
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Jim Yates Approved 
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I find that sometimes fingerpicks are necessary in order to be heard over a band. In this case I use metal Nationals or Dunlops. In order to make them more comfortable and to keep them from slipping off, I dip the part that goes around my finger in a liquid plastic that was meant for insulating screwdriver handles. Most of the time I use my nails, re-enforced with acrylic. I have been warned by people with Dave Visi's concerns, but my nails are very weak to begin with and can't take the trauma of clawhammer banjo. My dermatologist (sp?) has advised me to take up the trumpet instead.
____________________ Jim http://www.myspace.com/jimyates http://www.myspace.com/mapleleafchampionjugband |
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