Woah… Joe your videos are just getting better and better. So clear!! Nice production, and 3 camera angle - and always wonderful playing! 🎶 Hugs from swe
I'll be honest I kinda do it the exact opposite. I love the more round and soft bass sound of using my thumb, while I like more articulation in the melody so I use my nails. And for those who hate long nails I never grow my nails out, I just angle my fingers when I want to use the nail. It's all about preference and technique. I will concede that solos get a lot harder to get right just using fingers, but hey if Mark Knopfler could make it work, so can I.
I wouldn't consider any of those techniques being awkward getting used to, cuz simply, everything new is awkward in the beginnig. Just imagine someone who's always played with a flat pick learning to fingerpick for the first time. It sure will feel awkward.
Great information Joe. I really appreciate that you tell it like it is and don't sugar coat things - e.g. that using a thumb pick will initially seem quite strange and takes some getting used to. A really comprehensive video. Thanks for sharing!
It's not, it depends on your personal taste and how you want that particular song to sound. I usually like thumbpick for song like Windy and warm but flash for songs like Angelina
I am trying to practice with a thumb pick every day, but does not help that I have never used one in many years of playing finger style. I make WAY more mistakes with a thumb pick. I think if the pick was shorter it would feel more natural.
One pro for hybrid picking (which is the reason I still use it) is that you can do the Tommy Emmanuel “pseudo-strumming” thing, like in Mombasa, where you pick the melody while ghosting a strumming pattern between notes. Super hard to do with a thumb pick or with bare fingers, and can add some interest while backing a singer-songwriter.
When I use a thumbpick, the thumb volume overpowers the fingers. I haven't found fingerpicks that aren't awkward to use. Fingernails are out of the question for me. Still trying different thumbpicks to find the right material. Currently using Black Mountain thumbpicks.
Thank you so much but you have explain where did you get this style when you look tommy he explain every step of his hero b/c he got from him(chet )so you have thank them on your coarse thank you
The biggest problem with thumb pick is getting one that fits right and has the right shape for your grip (to work like a flat pick when you need). Personally I use the golden gate picks, but I put them in hot water and shape them around my finger, them I trim and sand them to the perfect shape. It takes a while but they last basically forever !
G’day Joe. Love your playing. I’m an old bloke who mainly plays intermediate level on nylon string guitar. Having started learning classical years ago, I use fingernails and my thumb nail - actually it’s a combination of fingertip flesh to fingernail striking of the string. Yes some people think the longer nails on the right hand look a bit “sus” but fingernails, in my opinion, give far better control of volume and tone on nylon strings. Unfortunately I don’t have strong fingernails so I always have to be careful not to break them especially when woodworking which is a hobby I like. I can’t play fingerstyle on steel string guitar because the steel strings invariably damage my nails and hence mess up my nylon string playing. Not only that but I don’t like the tone I get playing steel strings with my fingernails. So I just use a plectrum for steel strings and have to live with the fact that I find that using just a pick limits my playing. 0:02 Anyway, loved your outline of these different playing styles.
Fantastic video Joe! You answered a lot of questions I'd have liked to ask you about thumbpick vs the thumb. You could make any of it sound amazing but it's great to hear your thoughts on each approach.
10:40am I have been playing 60 + years. Acoustic guitar only. I am a flat picker with a hybrid style. I found this helpful to add thumb picking I have not found a thumb pick that is comfortable
Another upside of using a thumbpick over bare thumb: you can do upstrokes with your thumb (admitedly, it's tricky, but much more doable than with the bare thumb). Joe, if you're reading this, I'm wondering if you ever use upstrokes with a thumb pick?
I'm 62, playing all my life...mostly electric...rarely acoustic.....I still suck....then discovered the thumb pick a couple weeks ago...GAME CHANGER. For me, VERY natural, deadly accurate now. YES, flat pick strumming is my challenge also....thumb pick is so stiff (Dunlop ones). Got starter pack of those Mountainxxx picks coming...hope they help. My picking hand s SOOO much more accurate and I can use other fingers to pick etc. I can 'say' so much more with more digits working the tune. Love it!! With hybrid picking...less fingers (no pinky for me) and its so crowded.
Tommy E will switch to a flat pick now and then, but the one guy I have never see use one is Richard Smith. He uses a thumb pick for everything and really blazes with it.
I'm one of those that finds a thumbpick awkward and the bass lines are overbearing. However after seeing this I'll persevere with it. One tip I have is to get you picking fingernails done at a nailbar, they build them up perfectly so no breaks but they can be cut and shaped as you need.
Indeed; getting used to a thumb pick is a thing, but the time and effort will - definately - be rewarded with a new dimension in expression and timbre #keeppushing. Someday the fingerpickers will take over.... ;-)
So you’re saying if I use a blue chip flat pick and a Dunlop finger pick I’ll sound just like you?😂😂Just kidding. Great video. I’m really loving your finger style course. Never used a thumb pick before and I’m getting used to it.
Honestly I'm nearly 60 and I like thumbpicks over flatpicks because I know they're not going to slip out of my fingers. I hold the thumbpick against my index finger the same way I used to hold a pick, and I still have a few fingers left over if I feel like fingerpicking. I don't claim that this is the best method but it's what works for me.
I enjoy your style and commentary. I think you really shouldn't be dependent on a particular thing. I think you really go where the song takes you. There are some that I use a thumbpick with and some without. The only thing i have that is constant is acrylic nails on index and middle.
I think all methods are fine, but I tend to think no pick is better for ordinary finger style guitar, while pick is better for true thumb picking. Regardless, I tried thumb pick, bare thumb, and flat pick. None sounded like you.
Hi joe Brian here I bought a blue chip pick the other day I had to send to the states for it cost me 60 dollars with shipping but I bit the bullet and it does sound good on acoustic!! I couldn’t play without a thumb pick anymore and before I joined invisible technique and started watching your videos !! Cheers joe 🇮🇪Brian great video…
Joe, do you have an opinion about playing with index and ring finger alternatively? I have seen bass players and some (not many) guitar players do this.
It took me a week to get used to a thumb pick, felt clumsy at first like I was beginner all over again but I think the technique I’ve learnt over the years helped me get used to it rather quickly. For someone out there who’s starting out with a thumb pick don’t be discouraged and quick to drop it just because it feels uncoordinated and clumsy at first ,take it slow and practice up it will all come together remember every thumb picker went through that process even guys like Tommy Emmanuel and Joe Robinson.
Thanks Joe, I to use Dunlap thumb picks. I have large hands and have to open them up a bit with hot water first. Tried to use my natural nails with no success for about 4 months but consider that waisted time for me. So I do have them done in a salon about every two months for three fingers. Forgot to say my first guitar introduction was probably through Simon and G. My intro to thumb picking then saw Chet and that was it then TE and smitten for life to a style that will even mediocrely keep me forever challenged.
Great video! I fell into the habit of playing with fingernails and will sometimes get a blister on my finger tip if they get broken or too short. Do you have calluses on your right hand fingertips to avoid that? I like the Dunlop thumb pick but can’t bring myself to pay so much for a Bluechip flatpick. The green 0.88mm Dunlop Tortex flat picks work great for me!
I think Tommy mentioned in one video that he carries a bunch of thumbpicks with him of different sizes as on different days he might feel like (and need) a different one
Another great video, thanks Joe. I'm a beginner and have started your beginner finger style course. I am using a Black Mountain Jazz thumb pick as it is comfortable and seems to work for me for both flat picking and finger style. I also have the Dunlop pick you recommend, but for the time being and with my beginner abilities I am favoring the Black Mountain pick.
One of my favorite things to do is talk about picking. I played steel string with nails my whole life until decided finally to cut them off and use the flesh. Part of the thought was that if you and many others can get a good sound and control then i could too. It took probably 2 months until I felt like i could actually play. That was about 2 years ago and while there are a lot of benefits i still don’t feel like i have quite the same skill and control i did with nails.
Hi Roger! I think the right sized thumbpick is key. I use a Dunlop Medium. I've tried the Golden Gate picks which sound great, but they are just a little too tight for my thumb and I lose circulation. I'd try to find a bigger size, maybe Dunlop Large... if you can go to a store and try on different size picks, that is ideal
Good rundown! My high school guitar teacher taught us fingerpicking. Four basic styles/ patterns. I tried having fingernails, but maintaining them and working construction hasnt worked out well. All pads at this point. Im still getting used to the thumbpick. Considering moving up to an XL, as even the large Dunlop thumbpicks feel too tight and uncomfortable. I hear National makes some good thumbpicks. I picked up a Blue Chip STP 40 about two years ago, still have it. Great pick, i probably ought to pick up another one. Thank you, and be good to you ✌️😊
Is your pick out of plastic? If it is you can pit him in nearly boiling water and with a bit pressure you can make it bigger. Sorry I forgot the word for this, im a still learning. Hope you know wat I mean
@Real Waldi - yes, I've boiled a thumbpick or two to get them to fit. The large Dunlops still dig into where the thumbnail meets the skin. I appreciate the advice.
An excellent breakdown of these three picking options! Thanks for going over this Joe. I am certain this will be of great benefit for many guitarists of all levels. BTW, your audio and video quality are exceptionally good!
Thanks, Joe. Great, very clear advice. I've been chasing the perfect technique for decades. I believe now that in my case it all really comes down to personal preference and level of ability. Do what you do best.
