Thumbpick advice

[jromano23]

Hi all, I’m a tricone player that mostly uses bare fingers when playing and have read that it’s recommended to use picks to get the most out of the cones and avoid buzzes. It definitely sounds crisper with a pick. However, when I put on a thumbpick, my playing seems to tighten up and get rigid. Any advice on how to get more comfortable using a thumbpick? I like to play mostly old jazz and blues, but when the thumbpick is on, I seem to forget how to get in the groove.

Also, does playing with bare fingers do any damage to cones?

Thanks and hope all is well,

Joey

[blueshome]

Just keep playing, it'll come right.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Joe,

Many of these so-called rules were intended for vintage National guitars, which are more fragile than modern NRP instruments.

There is no doubt that heavy-handed twanging on Tricones without picks and without 'cone awareness' can damage the cones.

Regarding your question about thumbpicks, I am with Blueshome on that one. You just have to keep doing it until feels natural.

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Buy a few different gauges of picks and decide which one you feel most at ease with. Also experiment with the angle of attack on the strings.(By moving the pick and not your hand just to clarify). Hold the pick briefly in boiling water (tweezers recommended)! and shape it to grip your thumb comfortably--this will probably take a fair bit of trial and error.Also decide how long you want the pick to be and if necessary shape the business end with emery paper.Before you know it you'll have found what suits you. The great thing is once you've found your ideal it will last you for years.If I'm wearing a pick that suits me I forget it's there.If it doesn't suit me it feels like a G clamp on my thumb.

[jromano23]

Thanks, guys. It sounds like it's best to stick with it awhile to get the hang of it. I play on old cones too, so it's probably best for them as well.