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Puluke
Aloha
USA
36 Posts |
 Posted - 10/12/2011 : 2:31:22 PM
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I've been picking with thumb and two fingers because it just feels more natural. Is there a benefit to using three fingers? I've tried it but immediately went back to two...it felt way too uncoordinated. I generally use index on the third string and middle on the first, with both fingers sharing the second. But sometimes it seems to flow better to alternate the fingers regardless of the string. What do you do? Did you ever change from two to three? Was it difficult? If you could start all over, would you do differently?
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- Bruce |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2011 : 4:55:17 PM
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| There has been a lot of discussion about this here on Taropatch.net, but most of the slack key players are thumb-plus-two-fingers pickers. Classically trained guitarists are more likely to use three or four bare fingers. Jesse |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 03:31:01 AM
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| Like my Dad used to say, "Play clean, don't hurt yourself." Uncle Zeke down in Tacoma uses thumb and index. "Style is based on limitation."-John Hartford. |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 05:17:18 AM
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I mostly pick with two fingers now, although I originally learned fingerstyle with thumb and three fingers. The ring finger on my right hand was broken a few times in my youth and is stiff at the last knuckle. Beyond a certain speed it just cannot keep up with the first two fingers. The ring finger is still useful up to a point, and certainly contributes within picking patterns.
Ring finger will feel awkward at first, being naturally less dextrous than the others. You just have to spend the time to train it up to some degree of control. It never hurts to have more tools in the toolbox....
I use some practice drills, assigning one finger per string, then alternating between:
I - M I - R M - R
M - R (middle and ring) will be the most awkward pattern by far. The key is to make the tone even between fingers, and keep a steady pace. The ring finger will eventually be able to keep up.
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 05:18:44 AM
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The pattern did not come through the first post very well. It is:
I - M
I - R
M - R
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 08:02:46 AM
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I know the question is related to guitar, but it applies to other instruments as well. With my standard bass guitar, I tend to play with the index and middle fingers most often (I've not been able to adjust to using a pick, though I have tried). Yet with my Kala uke bass, the type of strings used feel so different that I find I get a better control of my sound by just using my thumb.
So in this case, the change in technique was driven by the type of string. |
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Iakonu
Akahai
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 08:14:17 AM
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| I believe Ray Kane used only two fingers (thumb and index). If I could make my two fingers sound half as good I'd be satisfied. |
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Allen M Cary
Lokahi
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 08:53:37 AM
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I don't have a ring finger on my right hand, courtesy of a ring in my youth. I have to pick with only two. I was interested to read that that is actually common practice. I have to compensate by double thumbing some arpeggios. Otherwise it has never been an impediment.
Aloha
Allen |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 10:35:13 AM
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I usually use just one, it is much harder to pick with two fingers and I would prefer to keep breathing through the remaining nasal passage. 
However, on the guitar I use all but the pinky most of the time.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 10/13/2011 2:21:23 PM |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2011 : 12:57:17 AM
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so funny, Lawrence!
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2011 : 07:18:06 AM
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| I tend to use all 4. Kinda strange as my 'dumb' finger is the index finger. I don't have very good feel on it. |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2011 : 09:55:56 AM
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Start with 4 (3 + thumb). You dont have to use them all all the time. You can go to 2 or three if you want to after that, no problem. If you learn with two it will be a stuggle to add another finger--if you ever decide you need to that is.
Hey, wait a minute! I just had a brain storm!
Use only ONE finger. Led is nearly untouchable using two fingers--imagine of how good you would be if you used just one!
I would go with one if I were you.  |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 10/14/2011 09:58:11 AM |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2011 : 10:05:57 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by RWD
Hey, wait a minute! I just had a brain storm!
Use only ONE finger. Led is nearly untouchable using two fingers--imagine of how good you would be if you used just one!
I would go with one if I were you.
So, if NONE of my fingers play the guitar, will that make me a "master"?  |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2011 : 12:23:23 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by RWD
Hey, wait a minute! I just had a brain storm!
Use only ONE finger. Led is nearly untouchable using two fingers--imagine of how good you would be if you used just one!
I would go with one if I were you.
Sonny used his thumb and middle finger. His index finger didn;t work. |
keaka |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2011 : 8:54:40 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
Sonny used his thumb and middle finger. His index finger didn't work.
It looks like Uncle Sonny used his thumb and index finger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTxGsxqoEGQ . |
Edited by - PearlCityBoy on 10/14/2011 9:05:27 PM |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2011 : 12:31:46 AM
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quote:
So, if NONE of my fingers play the guitar, will that make me a "master"?
Retro: I think you are on to something really big. |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 10/15/2011 12:33:19 AM |
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Topic |
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How many fingers do you pick with?
