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Joel
Aloha
9 Posts |
 Posted - 07/01/2006 : 6:18:50 PM
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I just got back from Hawaii and went to see Makana play at the Slack Key Festival for the second time (this time he played Koi blind folded). Last year I saw George Kahumoku and Led play at the Ritz Carlton. I am noticing a pattern, all three players are using what looks like metal finger picks (bright silver color) and I know Makana uses a thumb pick. Does anybody know where to get the silver finger picks and if there is a particular one preferred by slack key players?
Thanks - Joel
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2006 : 8:10:25 PM
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I think George uses John Pearse fingerpicks, but I think the majority of Hawaiian slack key guys use metal fingerpicks, unless they use fake nails (Dennis Kamakahi) or fingernails (Keola Beamer). It gives a loud, bright sound with strong attack. I like picks made by National, plastic on the thumb and metal on the fingers.
Jesse Tinsley |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2006 : 07:05:51 AM
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Aloha Joel,
You can get those picks at Buffalo Bros in San Marcos. Like all picks, they take getting used to. If you are going to Led's concert next Sunday, I'll give you mine.
n |
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Joel
Aloha
9 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2006 : 4:24:45 PM
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Buffalo bros is close by so I will check there.
I am thinking of just trying a thumb pick initially.
I guess the finger picks are good if you are performing and need a louder sound but playing at home it does not seem necessary.
Thanks - Joel
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2006 : 5:35:54 PM
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| You probably don't want a metal thumb pick... |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2006 : 11:30:09 PM
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You might also want to look at Alaska Piks, the non-metal ones at least. People seem to either love 'em or hate 'em but when you've adjusted them to fit properly they give you the clear ring of metal picks without the clacking sound and feel just like an extension of your nail.
BTW, has Buffalo Brothers moved again? Last I heard they were in Carlsbad on El Camino Real, halfway to Oceanside. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2006 : 4:28:28 PM
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Joel,
I'll send you an email to join the Southern California Slack Key Society (SCSKS) web site. We have an Open Mike every Tuesday (except tomorrow, 4th of July). Two of us live in Encinitas and would be more than happy to lend a hand. I'm over by LCC. Keith is closer to Moonlight. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2006 : 4:05:50 PM
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| I guess the rule should be -- if you can't grow decent fingernails, then you should use fingerpicks. Fleshy finger is OK for practice but you don't impress the Open Mike listeners when the notes are mushy. Use what don't ail ya! |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2006 : 04:13:17 AM
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| I like Dunlop brass fingerpicks. The brass is softer than steel, less noise from the pick. You have to reshape them once in a while. I bend them over the tips of my fingers, ala Earl Scruggs. I like Dobro plastic thumbpicks. A banjo picker showed me a neat trick. Use a bull nosed pliers and snip of the tip, about 1/16th", and file the edge up from the bottom side. More comfortable to playwith and less pick noise. |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2006 : 08:44:32 AM
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| I tried the Alaska Piks and found them to help my playing consistency but they hurt my fingers and I was lost when I reached a venue and I had forgotten to pack them. I have tried all types of remedies to make my fingernails more resistant to breakage but any improvements seem miniscule. I have about 5-10 different thumb picks that are better or worse for different types of playing on steel or nylon. All of them make my thumb turn blue after an hour of playing. I have all my cubby holes in all my cases filled with thumb picks and I don't play slack key without one. Now ukulele is simple -- jus' strum. Such is life. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2006 : 11:19:48 AM
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I play nylon string, so what I have to say might not apply to steel.
I have fairly weak nails - but I've learned that you don't need long nails to play well on nylon strings. Mine are seldom as long as 1/4" at the longest part. What helped me most is to shape the properly. I uses Scott Tennant's system found in the book and DVD "pumping nylon." Since I adopted that system and keep at almost daily nail care, over 3 years ago, I haven't had a nail problem and I get great control - anything from all nail to all flesh, and variations in between. |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2006 : 11:37:46 AM
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Mika'ele,
If the thumb picks are too tight, use a trick that Keith told me about when Sarah and I visited when Kevin and the "kids" toured through Carlsbad. We were at Dusty's (lovely memories) and Keith told me that the twist in some of the thumb pick brands was created originally simply by putting the pick in hot water and twisting. So I did the same thing, but only immersed the thumb-hole end. Then I put it immediately on my thumb - not hot at all - and pressed it to fit me. Worked perfectly.
Raymond - I did the same as you with the rest of my fingers, and Scott Tennant's nail filing system works just as well on steel strings - short nails, too. People look at them and say, "you have square fingernails". But, they are not; they are slightly angled so that the pad stops the vibration (as it should) and then the string slides down the nail toward the thumb side of the nail, which acts like a pick. NEVER hooks the string, as rounded or pointed nails do. (Not that I play any better, but it is one less problem to worry about).
...Reid
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Edited by - Reid on 07/05/2006 11:39:34 AM |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2006 : 2:45:23 PM
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Reid,
I had heard the hot water trick but forgot. Maybe I'll remember long enough actually do it this time. Thank you for the tip.
Most are actually comfortable for awhile. It's my wife that comes in to tell me to stop playing (for dinner, to get to work, whatever) and goes apoplectic at the blue color of my thumb -- me, I don't notice because I'm "malie" in my "ho'oma'ama'a". |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2006 : 5:02:22 PM
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Here's some info from Makana...quote:
Makana wrote:
I use picks sometimes, not always, and only when a song requires high speed attack and an aggressive approach to picking (ie "Koi" or "Slack Key # 1"). Picks allow the fingers to hit harder and louder and leave a string quicker, and they also extend the reach of the nail thus allowing for a greater efficiency of finger movement.
I don't have them in front of me as I write this, but I believe they are made by Dunlop. The thumb pick is plastic (medium size for me- it has to be tight!) and the finger picks are basically made for steel guitarists, and are metal (size either 0.0225 or 0.025).
I recommend avoiding picks as much as possible for most songs, as they add a "ticky" sound and I personally appreciate the sound of skin on strings. I also have 4 fake nails put on regularly (thumb and 3 fingers) on my picking hand, using a fake tip and UV activated gel. Stay away from acrylic! It will ruin your nail bed. The nails, as with the picks, are merely tools in the shed, and a player should strive to be adept at using either one, and also being able to pick just touching with the skin of the fingers. Each creates a different sound and feel.
Aloha,
Makana
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slackkeymike
Lokahi
440 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2006 : 7:31:01 PM
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It is interesting about the wide range of opinions regarding picks. No doubt, that real technical edgy sound eminates from picks. But there is something soulful in skin-on-string. It has always seemed difficult for me to "feel" where and what the string is doing when using picks. Never tried glue-on nails, but I bet that would be as close to the best as possible.
Now, how do you cure these? What kind of UV source do you use?
(can you get them off easily?)
Mike |
Aloha, Mike |
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