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da_joka
Lokahi
361 Posts |
 Posted - 09/30/2011 : 05:03:24 AM
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I'm jus curious ... how many of you guys like using thumb picks?
I tried it, I really like da sound, but wen I use um, I feel like I gotta relearn all da songs I know how fo play cuz I no can feel da strings, and my thumb ends up hitting da wrong strings.
Any tips?
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If can, can. If no can, no can. |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2011 : 05:09:13 AM
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| Take it off, LOL! |
Bob |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2011 : 06:11:22 AM
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Don't much like thumbpicks my own self, but Ray Kane used one, as does Led. Using the thumbpick requires some adjustment of hand position, and that will change depending on the kind of pick used. If it keeps getting in the way, don't use it--a healthy thumbnail will do the job. You lose some of the snap and volume, but some of that will come back with the right size/shape of nail.
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Sarah
`Olu`olu
571 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2011 : 04:09:53 AM
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I used a nail for years -- until one time it broke off, and I thought, this is a good time to try to learn to use a thumb pick. Took me about a month to get used to the new distance between thumb and string. But using one dramatically increased my bass string volume, which was a good thing in my case. It makes for better balance in the sound "out front" between basses and trebles. (Although to my ear right close to the guitar, pick or no pick was good.)
Getting one to fit properly and be the right shape, etc, takes some experimentation. I tried a bunch, and settled on Propick one with a metal band and a Delrin type plastic pick tip -- which is said (and I would agree) to provide the most "natural" sound. The metal band is more easily adjustable than the plastic ones, and that was important for me because I need a fit for a small thumb. It still threatens to fall off if my fingers get sweaty, though...
... Just my 2 cents. |
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JimC
Lokahi
USA
135 Posts |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2011 : 02:29:49 AM
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| Is Jr. Boy playing `ukulele yet,, Joka? And liddo braddah? They big boys now. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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da_joka
Lokahi
361 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2011 : 04:20:40 AM
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tanks fo all da tips. I tink I want someting kinda like da strum-n-comfort pics. Da tip gotta be kinda close to my thumb. I guess I'll try modifying da one I get now, and see if it works.
Aunty, funny you ask ... he can play C, and do one mean strum. His favorite ting fo do is be one rock star, but. ;-) Da little bruddah plays da ukulele like it's one upright bass. Remembah da little guitar you wen get Jr? He brings it to his bruddah so dat we all get someting fo play togedah :-)
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If can, can. If no can, no can. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2177 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2011 : 05:27:46 AM
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| Eh, Joka, no fo'get: Every brand of thumbpick is a little different, try'em on, get a snug fit. Some come in different sizes to that end. Back in my Bluegrass daze I learned to file the sharp tip off from the bottom. Better feel on the strings. Hope this helps. |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2011 : 07:26:46 AM
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| I had trouble with plastic thumbpicks getting soft from my body heat as I played, usually after about 20 minutes. I always kept a second pick on the steel I was playing. Then Alan Akaka turned me on to John Pearse thumbstrings. They don't soften with playing. |
keaka |
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Iakonu
Akahai
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2011 : 12:25:02 PM
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I used to use my fingernails as picks for years until I seriously broke off my coveted (and highly safeguarded) nail on my first finger while gardening. I was dead in the water without that nail. I started to search around for natural feeling fingerpicks and came across aLaska plastic finger picks. The large pick works great for the thumb and the medium sized one has replaced my finger nail. Just my 2 cents but these picks are a great fingernail replacement.
http://www.alaskapik.com/ |
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Topic |
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Thumb picks
