strumming w/o a pick

gravesRR7 · Post by **gravesRR7** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:36 pm

i normally play with a pick, but have recently been playing some John Mayer songs that you really need to finger pick. i have no trouble picking the notes, but when i have to go to choruses where you need to strumm the chords, i find it really hard to get clarity in the sound without a pick.
any tips on how to strum effectively with your fingers?
dumb question i know, but necessary nonetheless

Pickles · Post by **Pickles** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:43 pm

i pretend like im holding a pick while i strum... just using the tips of my fingers instead of the pick.

gravesRR7 · Post by **gravesRR7** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:51 pm

yeah that seems to work pretty well, thanks shane
i see some people stumming with an open hand, i don't know what they're doing, but that looks cool too

skilly · Post by **skilly** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 9:05 pm

i palm a pick and just switch when it goes to the chorus

Ranting Thespian · Post by **Ranting Thespian** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:42 pm

Actualy, fingers will give you more of a warm tone. Your fingers a lot softer than a pick. Personaly, I like it more. I barely ever use a pick. I like the warm tones. I also LOVE to fingerpick. Most of my latest songs have been pretty much finger picked in most of it.

Screw the picks, I got fingers!

matttherevelator41 · Post by **matttherevelator41** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 1:01 am

Use the nail of your index finger when you go down and the nail of your thumb when you go up. That seems to give a pretty good sound w/o a pick.

juineaux · Post by **juineaux** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:54 am

I use my thumb, and that gives a really nice driving sound, but sometimes it can be too bassy

led_zep123 · Post by **led_zep123** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 11:58 am

picks make it sound sharper.

isaac · Post by **isaac** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:28 pm

i use the side of my thumb. i enjoy the mellow sound.

Granny33 · Post by **Granny33** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:34 pm

TaylorsBaby225 wrote:i palm a pick and just switch when it goes to the chorus

i've been wondering...how do you palm a pick, or like fingerpick while holding one. i think there was a thread on this i cant find it though.

freshead16 · Post by **freshead16** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:51 pm

ya how do u get hold of the pick fast enough from when palming it? it always takes me a good 1 or 2 sec. terrible

geekmug · Post by **geekmug** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:06 pm

depends on how many fingers you use while fingerpicking.. but if you are only using your index and thumb, you hold the pick in your hand with your other fingers, and have pretty ready access to it. I usually "palm" it with my middle finger, like finger tip to knuckle, and not actually in the palm of the hand. If I need more than thumb/index, I just ditch the pick entirely.

freshead16 · Post by **freshead16** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:23 am

that was propably my problem than cause i usually try to do it with thumb, pointer, and middle. i can do it easily without the middle guy.

Coldchillin · Post by **Coldchillin** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 11:19 am

I have the same problem when switching back and forth. I hate it and it gets annoying..."Hold on people, let me stop the song and get the pick ready..."

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:46 pm

i've never seen anyone else do what i do but i actually hold the pick with my middle finger and it allows me to fingerpick just fine. and when i have to switch to strumming it doesn't take any time at all.

its hard to explain but i'll try to post a picture later