switching between pick and fingers

[macca]

I am awful at this and am Wondering how you all go from picking to fingerpicking and back again -- do you hybrid pick and lose your index? palm the pick -- where and how?

here's a vid of Pete Townshend where he seems to go effortlessly from fingerpicking to pick strumming right at the beginning -- how does he do it? it looks like he is able to palm the pick and use all his finger while fingerpicking, but the only way I palm the pick is to use one of my fingers to hold it in place, preventing me from using that finger during fingerpicking. Any insights? thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x3rU2i9OJQ

[violetlove]

I am awful at this and am Wondering how you all go from picking to fingerpicking and back again -- do you hybrid pick and lose your index? palm the pick -- where and how?

here's a vid of Pete Townshend where he seems to go effortlessly from fingerpicking to pick strumming right at the beginning -- how does he do it? it looks like he is able to palm the pick and use all his finger while fingerpicking, but the only way I palm the pick is to use one of my fingers to hold it in place, preventing me from using that finger during fingerpicking. Any insights? thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x3rU2i9OJQ

HAve a loko at some Joe Bonamassa clips. He tucks his Jazz III away bewtween thumb and index, and plays quite well wiht his fingers in that position. Takes some practice, sure, but it's a good approach.
Learning to hybrid pick is possibly easier.

[dkaplowitz]

Hybrid. I would love to learn to use a thumb pick, a la Brent Mason, but it feels like wearing something very uncomfortable on something very sensitive, so I just can't get the hang of it. ;) Some guys can do it while hiding the pick between middle and index fingers or middle and ring, whatever works.

Best of luck!

Dave

[Gigbag]

I used to do one or the other exclusivley for years, then I got used to tucking the pick into my hand while finger picking. For the past few years for blues and rock I have mostly gone with keeping my pick between my thumb and index finger and and using my middle and ring finger interchangably. Not truely hybrid picking. It doesn't really fit any one particular traditional style, but it works for me. It has become part of my style, which isn't a bad thing.

[robelinda2]

I mostly hybrid pick, its great. Albert Lee is the man. Brett Garsed also, in a rock context.

[Ooogie]

I've been working on this lately and finally found a position I'm comfortable with but it seems there's always going to be a compromise. I tried holding the pick between two fingers or thumb and finger and just could not pick comfortably like that...it just didn't feel natural and there was always tension in the hand.

I recently started kind of flipping the pick over into my palm and cupping it in place with my ring finger. With the palm pointing slightly upward this is really a pretty natural motion, you really just let it fall into the palm. To return to picking position I just reach my thumb down and slide the pick up, it feels pretty natural to me but it's kind of hard to explain.

This leaves the thumb, index and middle fingers free for picking without any tension from trying to hold the pick in place...still a compromise but the best I've found so far.

-Mark

[LP Deluxe]

I've started doing alot of fingerpicking in the last few years. It's opened up a whole new world to me. I never was, or will be the fastest player, so I gotta have some style of my own, and fingerpicking along with the use of a pick, gives me lots of versitility.

I tuck the pick between my first and second finger, between theknuckle and first joint. This still allows me movement in all my fingers (beyond the first joint in fingers one and two), and eas access to the pick.

Dave

[Austinrocks]

Buddy Guys instruction DVD he talks about how he holds the pick with his ring finger and picky in his palm, its easy to do but only gives three fingers for fingerpicking, looks like Pete is using this as well, but its hard to tell, I have used it and it works fine, I hold the pick with my pinky in my palm but I have a hard time retrieving it when I am playing, but this gives me four fingers to play with,

Mike Oldfield holds the pick in mouth and looks very stupid IMO, that is a method that works for me as well, I look stupid with or without a pick in my mouth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddVBGVI_hgA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDCXdgPHH54&feature=related

[davya]

In a Robben Ford DVD he showed how he puts his pick in between his first and middle finger. I had given up on finding a way to "hide" my pick and still be able to comfortably use my thumb and three fingers untill I tried this!! Even with the pick I still use my middle and third finger in a hybrid style.

[jcoloccia]

I hold it between the 1st and 2nd joints (2 closest my palm) of the ring finger on my right hand. Works for me. YMMV

[mike80]

I can't use my middle and ring fingers (they move at the same time if I'm trying to finger pick) so it works best for me if I hold the pick in my palm with one of them, and use the other to play. I typically only use two fingers and a thumb for fingerpicking anyway, so it kinda works out.

[elgalad]

I usually stick it in my mouth, which doesn't allow you to move between the two as quickly, but works well enough for me.

Another option, if you have a mike, is to use a pick holder on the mike stand. Then you can just ditch the pick (just drop it to the floor), fingerpick, and then grab a pick off the mike stand.

Another trick I use when playing the strat is to wedge some picks between the body and the pickguard, where I can grab them quickly, then just ditch the pick when I want to fingerpick, and grab a fresh one from under the pickguard.

[macca]

wow, lots of ideas

thanks and please keep them coming, I'm going to have to do some more experimenting

[dave r.]

I usually stick it in my mouth, which doesn't allow you to move between the two as quickly, but works well enough for me.
I do as well.

[macca]

HAve a loko at some Joe Bonamassa clips. He tucks his Jazz III away bewtween thumb and index, and plays quite well wiht his fingers in that position. Takes some practice, sure, but it's a good approach.
Learning to hybrid pick is possibly easier.


I checked out some Bonamassa clips -- looks like he tucks the pick into his index finger and does not use that finger while fingerpicking? is that consistent with your understanding?

[macca]

I've started doing alot of fingerpicking in the last few years. It's opened up a whole new world to me. I never was, or will be the fastest player, so I gotta have some style of my own, and fingerpicking along with the use of a pick, gives me lots of versitility.

I tuck the pick between my first and second finger, between theknuckle and first joint. This still allows me movement in all my fingers (beyond the first joint in fingers one and two), and eas access to the pick.

Dave

Dave, do you know of any drawings or videos showing this technique? I am having a hard time visualizing it, and my attempts at it always restrict my use of at least one finger

thanks

[sabby]

I moved to a thumb pick. Now I'm using no pick. Arrggghhh. Now I want a flat pick again.

[macca]

In a Robben Ford DVD he showed how he puts his pick in between his first and middle finger. I had given up on finding a way to "hide" my pick and still be able to comfortably use my thumb and three fingers untill I tried this!! Even with the pick I still use my middle and third finger in a hybrid style.

Do you know which Ford DVD this is in? Looks like there are a few instuctional DVD's from him.

thanks

[jzucker]

don't palm it. Stick it between your index and middle finger. That's what paul bollenback does and he can switch back and forth faster than anyone I've ever seen as well as play classical guitar style stuff with the pick tucked into his fingers. Look him up on youtube. You'll be amazed.

[Austinrocks]

Best thing I found is to stop using a pick, when you want a pick, press the thumb and index finger like your holding a pick, only no pick, and pick away, really easy to do, and can get the false harmonics using the nail.

[fuzz_factor]

I usually stick it in my mouth


The Joe Pass method!

[jzucker]

Read My Lips - Paul Bollenback :D

[macca]

Read My Lips - Paul Bollenback :D

lol . . . I checked him out but he does it so smoothly and quickly that I can't tell where's he's putting or how he's getting it there


[Michael Scott: That's What She Said!]

[jzucker]

lol . . . I checked him out but he does it so smoothly and quickly that I can't tell where's he's putting or how he's getting it there


[Michael Scott: That's What She Said!]

He just pushes it between the index and middle with his thumb and pulls it out with his thumb. If you practice if for a few months, it becomes routine. It's THE BEST way. Of course, some folks just like to argue. Not me though. :D

[Dickie Fredericks]

He just pushes it between the index and middle with his thumb and pulls it out with his thumb. If you practice if for a few months, it becomes routine. It's THE BEST way. Of course, some folks just like to argue. Not me though. :D

Das how I do it!

[GovernorSilver]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eJp2CT_uDx8

Jack wasn't kidding - transitions between using pick/no pick are so fast and seamless it's impossible for me to see how he does it.

The index and middle finger appear to be stuck together to hold the pick, but this guy is so damn good it doesn't matter.

[Ooogie]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eJp2CT_uDx8

The index and middle finger appear to be stuck together to hold the pick, but this guy is so damn good it doesn't matter.

That's the exact reason I didn't like this method, I like having both of those fingers available. When I tuck it under the ring finger as described earlier I still have the index and middle available. I'm sure I could get used to it but I always felt a little tension trying to make sure the pick didn't slip...

Mark

[jcoloccia]

That's the exact reason I didn't like this method, I like having both of those fingers available. When I tuck it under the ring finger as described earlier I still have the index and middle available. I'm sure I could get used to it but I always felt a little tension trying to make sure the pick didn't slip...

Mark

+1

The other method doesn't work for me at all. Hand size, dexterity and finger picking style all play a role when deciding which method is best for you.

[jzucker]

That's the exact reason I didn't like this method, I like having both of those fingers available. When I tuck it under the ring finger as described earlier I still have the index and middle available. I'm sure I could get used to it but I always felt a little tension trying to make sure the pick didn't slip...

Mark

I've watched him play classical guitar pieces including tremolo studies with pami pami etc using this technique. It takes a little practicing but it's VERY doable.

[7StringJazz]

Did anyone mention Brasil's book on Hybrid picking?

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22036

Some good exercises in developing the style.

[GovernorSilver]

Did anyone mention Brasil's book on Hybrid picking?

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22036

Some good exercises in developing the style.

LOL...
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=388099

[7StringJazz]

LOL...
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=388099

oops!:o

[jimfog]

Without realizing it, I started tucking the pick between my index and middle fingers when I go all fingers. It's completely natural and unnoticed.

It limits my fingerpicking a bit, since I and M are kind of welded together but it works.

Like most elements of my picking, it sure as hell isn't what I would advise, or even choose for myself.........but it's what I seem to be stuck with, so I make it work as well as possible.

I think it's what I'm doing in this vid....along with hybrid picking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70_iNA9N9lg#GU5U2spHI_4

- Jim

PS......I didn't read all the responses before posting...........looks like I'm not the only freak who does this!

[LP Deluxe]

Jim,

I do it too. And like you, I have no idea how I developed that technique. I did notice from the video that you seem to have some pretty big mitts on you. So do I. Maybe that why it works for me...

I actually had to get a pick and check where the hell I stick the thing when I fingerpick, so I guess it's just developed over years. In slow motion I guess I slide the pick off the index to the middle finger, and then run it down to the first joint and hold it there between the first joints of middle and index. Proper method? I have no idea, but it works for me and the transition comes pretty smoothly after awhile.

Dave