Thumb & Finger Picks

[cam]

I am teaching myself slide on an acoustic guitar at the moment with the intention of buying a resonator when I have mastered the basics.

I was watching a YouTube video last night put up by "Delta Lou"  He was insistent that you should play with thumb pick and in his case a finger pick on his index finger

Should I be using picks, will it be better in the long term?

Thanks for any advice?

Cam

[Deleted]

Anyone that insists on something should be ignored.
TT

[SoloBill]

Hi Cam,

If they give the sound you are looking for then use picks.
Personally I don't like them and just use my fingers and nails the same way as a classical player.

Bill

[bryanbradfield]

I use a thumb pick and 2 finger picks for lap style playing, but bare fingers for Spanish finger picking. I think that attempts should be made in both directions, so that your choice of whether or not to use picks results from experience rather than the opinions of other players.
So, ignore my response and go with what deuce said.

[cam]

All,

Thanks for the responses, I'll just get on with it. I feel that fingerpicks make me one step removed from playing so would prefer to not use them

Cam

[5slide]

I agree with what's been said, it all depends on which you feel more comfortable with and the sound you are going for.

I usually use bare fingers but sometime use a thumb pick if I want a louder, more driving bass.

P.S would like to hear 'Delta Lou' tell Ry Cooder he must use finger picks

[bryanbradfield]

The Ry Cooder example is a good one. I don't know his volume set-ups at all, but I get the impression that he often sets everything to 10 (maximum), and then plays at minimal volume levels, barely touching the strings, except when he wants to remind you that he is still present. I believe that he also uses very heavy gauge strings, which combined with the volume control settings provides for a very meaty sound.

[5slide]

Feb 17, 2016 15:22:30 GMT bryanbradfield said:

The Ry Cooder example is a good one. I don't know his volume set-ups at all, but I get the impression that he often sets everything to 10 (maximum), and then plays at minimal volume levels, barely touching the strings, except when he wants to remind you that he is still present. I believe that he also uses very heavy gauge strings, which combined with the volume control settings provides for a very meaty sound.

I think you're probably right, his amps sound like they're cranked up so that he can play clean when picking softly and then dig in to get some dirt.

I remember reading an interview once where he says that he always used small tube amps but drove them hard. His feel and use of dynamics is certainly amazing.

[blueshome]

You should try picks, if only on the basis that it is another skill learnt.
It does give greater volume (unless you are Son House) with an acoustic, and a different tone, both of which can be useful. Not quite such an issue if you plug in of course.