thank you for affirming my finger strumming, I use a pick very rarely, my arm gets tired very fast when I use a pick, I'm probably gripping it too tight, bc , I tend to drop them, just clumsy holding it. I have tried, literally 100's of picks, tacky, ones with holes, ridges, grip of all types, different materials, felt, leather, wood, tortoise, etc etc etc.....I thought it was the pic, but its just me. I like to feel the strings with my strum hand and have gotten very good control with volume, different patterns, strums combined with picking and I don't have to concentrate on the pick I can work my timing, tone and technique
I've never used a pick, if I wanna strum hard or get a more pick-esque sound, I just use my nail, works for me. Everyone plays differently and I love it :)
@@almo942 You'd think so, and every once in a while, but not often. When it does I just cut it, which slightly lowers my max volume but it's all good lol
Same. I started playing guitar to Elliott Smith and Beatles songs. I use thumb for bass and the other four simultaneously for down stroke/finger tips for up stroke. I’m also more of a chord progression player and love fingerpicking/strumming within the same composition. Do runs just fine but would also love to flatpick. I write alt-country too so one would think I’d care to learn a bit more.
I'm so glad to know this is a thing and I'm not the only one. I am an absolute clutz with a pick. My first guitar teacher as a kid was a classical player so I never really learned to use one. My hippy teacher as a teenager tried to get me to play with one but I just could never get the hang of it. When I strum I basically use my middle fingernail supported by my thumb. The sound is softer than a pick but it's the best I can do and still sound good.
I have realised that strumming with fingers can be unbelievably sweet. I am a Ryan Adams fan and he does this really well. What you get is the ability to be really sensitive with the guitar especially if you are singing. I pigeonholed myself first into fingerpick and then pick, but now I’m starting to prefer the combination of finger/thumb and fingerpicking.
Took off on my guitar journey a few years ago and love it at 51. Saved my soul. Tendinitis is stopping me in my fretting arm. Desperate first post. Thx.
Thanks Tony! I switched from acoustic to classical partly because I am not a fan of the pick, but I missed my acoustic guitar’s sound. This helps me find my way back.
I do like the last method and I also like using my my thumb for downstrokes and middle finger for upstrokes, and skipping few strings while doings that.
I've never really liked using a pick, but my dislike has been from lack of practice or ability than it is the style - I love the sound of flat picking music. I'm enrolled in Tony's Acoustic Challenge, and am making progress, and would welcome any advice from others who have added flat picking to their repertoire.
Nice lesson, Tony. I use a pick just fine but if I get handed a guitar & don't have a pick, I use the last style you mentioned-the 'pick-holding' position, using the top of the index finger nail & the tip of my thumb to kinda follow right after the index finger...
I think you should practice all styles all the time. Constantly mix it up and don’t get complacent with a style if want continued growth. They’ve all got their benefits but always keep growing that portfolio of techniques.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I saw a video of this girl playing "I Want it That Way" and I was trying to see her strumming method since it gave a great bass sound plus the chord. This last strumming method what was I was looking for. I don't like using the pic, but this should help greatly. Thank you, sir!
Bravo. Working drummer learning acoustic-. Naturally used the ringer-as-pick method. Strum/Finger pick intermittently. JJ Cale & Stephen Stills Chordify and your excellent tutorials Turned a corner yesterday' on playing dynamically with Dynamics -Pete Townsend You've been a help.. Really good. Thanks 😊
I've had to play more like an ukulele player lately. I had surgery on my right thumb joint a week ago😖, and healing is slow-going. My practice had been limited to fretting mainly; it's driving me nuts!!! Don't get lupus or fibromyalgia kids, it aint fun. Like your vids Tony.
That and the pick makes it louder than holy hell lol. I have a travel, parlor size guitar. A pick makes a small guitar sound louder than it should in my opinion. If I want it to be heard out front, I'll mic it up. Great video, thanks buddy 🇺🇸🤟
Thank you Tony for sharing. I have always wanted to play since I was a little girl. I have a neuro/muscle issue so it's hard to hold a pick without dropping it. I just to play my songs. I don't have nails and missing most of my index finger. I am thinking someone could design something for people with disabilities that will help them express their inner music. Just because I can't feel on the outside there is a lot inside to share. Thank you! I have been doing this but learned bass technique and that it's ok to keep going! 😊 Like sub God Bless! Angela
I am trying to make a transition to not relying on a pick. The send technique is the one I hope to improve upon. The eight note after 2 and 4 set in stone?
Tony, could you tell me the name of the set of strings you were going to mention in your practicing scales video? Your videos are very helpful to me on things I need to cover in my practice time. Thank you.
I often play with the “fake pick” method, but have found that it affects how the nail on my index finger grows. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have any suggestions for how to avoid this problem short of gluing on an acrylic nail?
I protect the fingernail on my index finger with clear gel nail polish. It is longer lasting than regular nail polish, and provides a nice protective barrier for the nail. No need to glue on an acrylic nail, and the clear polish doesn't stand out other than being a little more shiny than the rest.
I am giving that a go right now. I do feel a bit self-conscious about the nail being shiny, but no one has mentioned it, and it can't look any worse than the nail does already. Side note - It's playing my Guild Westerly this way that's caused the problem. How appropriate that you're the one coming in with a solution.
How can it be cheating not using a pick?????.....ppl have probably been strumming guitars for hundreds of years before pick were even invented.....u could say using picks is cheating.....fuck picks!!!!!
Stephen Stills is an absolute monster playing on the guitar, and he plays both acoustic and electric without a pick. Give a listen to something like Suite: Judy Blue Eyes for a good example.
I do both. I find that when I play out I use a pick more. However, my best playing occurs when I don’t use one. I have more fluidity of motion and this enhances my creativity.
