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launie
Aloha
USA
23 Posts |
 Posted - 01/14/2004 : 09:33:05 AM
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I'm sure this must have already been discussed, but I haven't found anything in the archive, yet. Finger picks. In my other life, I use a flat pick. But with slack key, that isn't on. I have to use fingers, right? But my fingers are weak and feeble and it's impossible even for me sitting perched over the guitar to hear what I'm doing. I've been using some cheapo plastic finger and thumb picks, but to be honest, I hate the clicky, synthetic sound they produce. Does anyone have any ideas on what to use to get a warmer, friendlier sound?
Jamie
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2004 : 4:39:03 PM
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Nails don't have to be long to get good sounds - in fact many professionals keep their nails fairly short -- you do have to mintain them, especially to make sure the edges are rounded, so there's no way to snag -- I know we've discussed this a couple of times in the past
As to picks...
If I had to use a pick, it would probably be "pro-picks" -- metal picks that have the pad of the finger exposed - that way you can at least et some feel and some of that softer sound.
Raymond
San Jose |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2004 : 4:48:24 PM
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| I use Alaska Piks (www.alaskapik.com)...they work just like a natural extension of the fingernail and are plastic so they sound more like a fingernail than metal picks, which I hate. They're not for everyone, however...most friends who have tried them can't get used to them. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2004 : 10:37:13 AM
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Lord Admirable Nelson...
Greetings and salutations! Long time no hear.
CmdrPiffle |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2004 : 10:58:33 AM
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| Yes, admirable. It's good to see you. It's been too long. |
Andy |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2004 : 12:13:09 PM
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Logo thingy is screaming to get out. I wanted to get that officially up as of the new year but it didn't happen as you can see. Soon, though, soon - I promise everyone.
Well I wish you a much better 2004. |
Andy |
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launie
Aloha
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2004 : 09:50:41 AM
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Thanks for all the suggestions. There's a lot of food for thought there. First of all, I think I'm going to try persevering using none at all. I much prefer the warmer sound finger tips make rather than the clicky plastic finger picks. If that doesn't work out after a month or so practicing, then I've made a note of the various pick suggestions and I'll try them.
Admiral's question about the guitar got me thinking a bit. Yes, generally speaking, I do play quietly. I use light gauge strings and light flat picks. But then, I usually accompany other musicians and singers who expect me to take a back seat. When I have to do anything like solo work (which fortunately is very rare), I tend to shift position: hold the guitar differently, move my whole body into a different stance - I find it the best way I can get any volume and clarity. It occurs to me, maybe I should also think along these lines with slack key. Maybe I'm sitting wrong, or my right hand could be in a better position. Time to experiment. I'll let you know how things go.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Jamie |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2004 : 4:59:44 PM
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| Plastic fingerpicks and thumbpicks don't have to sound "clicky". Like Craig, I use alaska picks on my index and middle fingers and a large Johnson thumbpick. I don't hear any clicks when I play. I've heard lot of players use fingerpicks without clicking. |
Dusty |
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gypsysoul
Aloha
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2004 : 02:30:31 AM
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I swear by Alaska picks. I don't usually use the fingerpicks unless I've broken a nail, but I find the plastic thumbpick is becoming nearly indispensable as I don't really like to grow my thumbnail so long. For just raising the volume as you mentioned, the full Alaska fingerpick/thumbpick outfit will just about double your volume.
The metal picks are useless to me, giving only a terrible raspy sound on wound strings.
One thing about nail care I haven't seen mentioned: I found I have to be sure to take multivitamins daily, to keep the nail from getting brittle. Age is also a factor. If you work much with your hands, you'll learn new habits. I finally taught myself to reach for objects such as items in a toolbox, any metal object, etc, ONLY with my left hand. Otherwise I just break a nail in my weekend warrior activities. |
doug |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2004 : 5:40:12 PM
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| I'm curious, although I'm happy enough with the Alaska Piks at the moment that I probably won't try it. Incidentally, one of the nice things about the Alaska Piks is that you can cut, shape, and file them with regular nail manicuring tools to get a fit that IS comfortable. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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gypsysoul
Aloha
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2004 : 01:19:55 AM
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You got my curiosity up now. Is that $25 just a one time cost or does it cost that much each time you need this redone? How long do they last? Something you could wear around a week or so without problems? Do you thing this same info might be out on the web somewhere, to save you from having to write it up yourself?
One time before I discovered Alaska picks, I broke my thumbnail and played for a few weeks by cutting a piece out of a margarine tub and taping it to my thumb. This sounds a whole lot better than that!
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doug |
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