• Registered: 2007-09-16
  • Posts: 1

Topic: pick vs fingers when strumming

Hi,

Although I would not classify myself as good, I am not new to playing acoustic guitar, I can play quite a few chords, I can do fingerstyle, and can play quite a few songs. Here is the problem, when I used a pick to strum the chords they sound loud and terrible, but when I play by strumming with my fingernails the "music" sounds reasonable OK. I have tried holding the pick many different ways, tried different picks, nothing seems to work, so I go back to strumming with my fingernails.

Can anyone offer me any advice?

  • dino48
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: pick vs fingers when strumming

Hi aellarby, I very seldom use a pick on chords,I do when i play riffs but not always.I grew my right thumnail just long enough too play songs comfortably,this may work for you.I am sure some of the other members will chime in here soon and give you some good advice. Mark Knoffler of Dire Straights uses his fingers only and he is considered one of the greatest guitar players around.          dino

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • From: Western Oregon,US
  • Registered: 2008-07-22
  • Posts: 2,498

Re: pick vs fingers when strumming

Greetings Aellarby and welcome to chordie!

  Back in the "Dark Ages" thoughts were that nylon strings were for fingernails and steel strings needed a plectrum (pick).  I guess that there was a lot of concern that you would rip your nails out on steel....  but like most "rules" we tend to bend them a bit.
  You play fingerstyle, and that is totally acceptable.  Not to mention desirable in many music styles. I personally tend not to use a plectrum but I am not one of those heavy metal shredders.  If it works well for you... do it!
  Good examples of the art (other than Knopfler) are Andy McKee and Don Ross, check them out on You-Tube... impressive!

Take Care:  Doug

"what is this quintessence of dust?"  - Shakespeare
  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: pick vs fingers when strumming

Hi Aellarby and welcome to Chordie,

Personally I think that playing an acoustic guitar with a pick should be a hanging offence and the only mitigating circumstance is picking individual strings for lead work lol.

Seriously, by using nail or flesh, one finger or all five you can create so much variation of sound, also you can change from strumming to fingerpicking seamlessly. You are never going to give yourself problems by dropping one midway through a song and never going to have to fish one out from inside the guitar.

That being said there are going to be occasions when a pick is needed so I do have a carrier with picks in attached to my guitar.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

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