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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 1, 2022 8:37:13 GMT
Hi all, I've just bought a MM fidle edge resonator I am trying to learn how to get used to Using finger picks. I am using Dunlops (other brands available) I am struggling having only using plectrums before. Any advice will be gratefully received. Cheers Paul Hi Paul, I am more than happy to talk fingerpicks with you, but I can't until tomorrow or Saturday as I have a busy couple of days. I am sure others will be able to help you too. It is not a technique that comes naturally until you have gone through a lot of discomfort and frustration. Shine On Michael |
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Post by twang1 on Sept 1, 2022 9:02:24 GMT
Hi, I use Alaska picks and I find them very natural to wear, and you can also play downstrokes. It took me less then an hour to get used to it!
I've even seen some classical players using them.
But the only thing is that you should have a bit of nail to wear them.
Frank
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Post by richclough on Sept 1, 2022 10:17:33 GMT
Hi all, I've just bought a MM fidle edge resonator I am trying to learn how to get used to Using finger picks. I am using Dunlops (other brands available) I am struggling having only using plectrums before. Any advice will be gratefully received. Cheers Paul Hi Paul - so have you done any fingerpicking before? Cheers, Rich |
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Post by gordon on Sept 1, 2022 16:00:53 GMT
Strange, have some posts disappeared here?
I agree with what Richclough is getting at, or at least I think he is - finger picks aren't easy to get along with at first, so it's definitely a good idea to have a comfortable fingerpicking style with just fingers before you start with them. And remember, no one says you have to use finger picks, there are no rules.
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Post by Mike B on Sept 1, 2022 20:34:51 GMT
Hi , hope this may be of some use. I really struggled with fingerpicks and only started to get the hang of them when I found the Propik. These are metal picks which leave your fingertips exposed so you can still feel the string. After that I was able to move onto the white dunlop fingerpicks which I prefer the sound of on Resonators. Michael has posted somewhere on this forum how to mould and fit the Dunlop picks using hot water and pliers into a better shape. When I followed that advice I found them much easier to use. I've just tried to find the thread but wasn't able to. If you are in the Uk Eagle Music sells the ProPiks , definitely worth a try , they may help you get the feel of using a fingerpick. All the best . M
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Post by purpleorange on Sept 1, 2022 20:57:28 GMT
I have always used finger picks and have difficulty playing without them. I should really stop using them for a few months to get used to playing with bare fingers.
I have tried a few different picks and settled on the fred kelly derlin regular thumb picks and the national np2 brass picks.
The most important thing is to find comfortable picks that fit well and just keep them on when playing.
I was experimenting with the fred kelly freedom picks for the ukulele, same idea as the Alaska picks, you can strum down with them. They might have their uses.
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Post by richclough on Sept 2, 2022 14:21:54 GMT
Paul messaged me directly...
"Hi Rich,
Not at all i used to use plectrums but just strumming.
Only just taken up resonator playing on and off since last year.
Many thanks
Paul"
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 2, 2022 15:39:39 GMT
Hi Paul, Everyone will give you a different point of view and all are valid. May advice is to dabble with all the good options and see what suits you best. I started with metal fingerpicks and plastic thumbpicks, which I used for around fifteen years. Then when it was pointed out to me that plastic picks have a sweeter tone and don't tear up the front of your guitars, I moved over to plastic, which I have now used for around thirty years. It took a long time of adjusting them and all kinds of craziness until I eventually reached a point where I feel naked without them. Try wearing them for as long as possible, even when your are not playing. I often forget I am wearing them, like yesterday for example I was recording all day and found myself eating and drinking tea with them on. After many years of trying everything around, these are what I use.... Fred Kelly Delrin Slick Pick thumbpicks - I use large heavy, the white ones. My advice is to get one large heavy and one standard heavy. Don't bother with any other gauge, just use heavy. www.eaglemusicshop.com/fred-kelly-delrin-slick-picks?pv=5555Jim Dunlop White Plastic Fingerpicks - get four large and a four medium. You only wear two at a time, but you will probably need to adjust them in boiling water and that can take a bit of trial and error. They are rarely the right shape when you get them. That we can discuss if and when you get some. www.eaglemusicshop.com/jim-dunlop-white-plastic-fingerpicksDon't put them on too far down your finger, they need to protrude from the end of your fingers. THEY ARE NOT FINGERNAILS!!! so they go on the other was round! See my photos for reference of how to wear them. Don't expect this to come easily, they're awful things at first. It takes time to be able to use them freely and fluently. Once you get it you can pick and strum both up and down. The fingerpicks are great for strumming, but you have to learn to do it with the pick slightly angled and as with all things musical, with a relaxed hand. Wear them tight, but not tight enough to stop your circulation or hurt, just a snug fit. It is not the tightness that holds them on, it is the skill of your hand that does it. You're getting some great advice, but none of it compares to trial and error. Oh, and they're brilliant for scratching the dogs, they'll love 'em!  (Meet Gary & Angel, Paul's beautiful dogs) Have fun :-)     Shine On Michael       |
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Post by paulsblues12 on Sept 3, 2022 8:24:43 GMT
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your advice and photos
I think I have enough to work with now
All the members that have had an input thank you
You have all helped me one way or another.
A quick round up.
I have a set of Dunlops thumb and fingers
That i have started to wear even when im not playing.
Ive also puchased some alaska picks that will be here in a couple of weeks and will see how they feel fingers crossed for getting started.
I will keep every one updated.
I've got a busy time until the end of next we but I will check in when I can.
Best wishes to you all.
Paul
Keep sliding and smiling
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Post by kim on Sept 3, 2022 18:17:51 GMT
Hi Paul, I'm only new to slide and resonator guitars as well, and I always used plectrum on normal guitars, I have only got two songs off, third on the way. I only turned to finger picks and thumb
whenever my bare fingers got sore, so I never really got to tuff it out with finger picks, as when my fingers got a break and healed a bit I then threw them
off again and have now just been using bare Fingers thumb again, I read online somewhere where a famous blues slide player once asked his student why he was wearing finger picks and the student said "because it gave more volume" the old blues player said to him how can you feel the strings, feel the guitar,
I thought that was good, so that's my excuse for not toughing it out with the picks but I'm so used now to the bare fingers that I will just keep on rocking this way.
good luck with it all and post your findings with the picks
Kim
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Post by paulsblues12 on Sept 4, 2022 8:11:15 GMT
Hi kim,
Glad that you are still playing with your fingers.
I used to play with plectrums but just strumming chords sometimes just strum with my thumb and fingers but not picking style
That was a good quote about how do you feel the strings or guitar.
Glad that you have a couple of songs that you can play.
My dog was injured afew weeks ago so ive not been able to have much time on my guitar but he his nearly fully healed now so will not have to be watched so much.
Then i can put some time into picking practice.
Lots of members have really helped me including you.
Nice to read your message.
Take care
Best wishes
Paul
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Post by Stevie on Sept 4, 2022 9:25:35 GMT
Since I acquired my reso, I have watched others with finger picks with slight jealousy, and I've certainly been drawn to and recognised the sounds that they draw from the instruments, but I'm another one who cannot get on with all that digital scaffolding. I have come to accept that while I'm "playing", my pleasure comes from my ability to play the things I can and I forget all about about peer group proclivities whilst so engaged. That's why I have avoided handing out the pickin' gospel according to me. The advice given by those who CAN actually "walk the walk" is both valuable and stalwart.
The only thing that I'll stick my neck out and say is that cobalt plated finger picks have a definite slippery feel over the strings compared to the commonly available picks. Good luck finding them though- I wish I'd bought four when I acquired mine.
でつ e&oe ...
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Post by paulsblues12 on Sept 6, 2022 10:23:31 GMT
Hi all, I've just bought a MM fidle edge resonator I am trying to learn how to get used to Using finger picks. I am using Dunlops (other brands available) I am struggling having only using plectrums before. Any advice will be gratefully received. Cheers Paul Hi Paul, I am more than happy to talk fingerpicks with you, but I can't until tomorrow or Saturday as I have a busy couple of days. I am sure others will be able to help you too. It is not a technique that comes naturally until you have gone through a lot of discomfort and frustration. Shine On Michael |
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Post by paulsblues12 on Sept 6, 2022 10:32:44 GMT
Hi everyone,
A quick update thanks to all of your help and advice I was able to wear and start practicing very slow but comfortable with my Dunlop picks small steps but a big achievement for me.
I was not tempted to take them off for once ( a big smile on my face last night)
so now I hope to build on my first steps and improve from last night.
Keep smiling and sliding
Best wishes
Paul
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Post by paulsblues12 on Sept 16, 2022 15:12:00 GMT
Hi, I use Alaska picks and I find them very natural to wear, and you can also play downstrokes. It took me less then an hour to get used to it! I've even seen some classical players using them. But the only thing is that you should have a bit of nail to wear them. Frank |
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