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Cajun1 · February 19th, 2009, 04:10 PM

I'm trying to teach myself to chickin' pick and I've had a very bad habit of chewing my fingernails until lately. I'm trying to use a flat pick between my thumb and index and then pick with my middle/ring fingers. I've been pretty disciplined about not chewing my right fingers lately so my nails are starting to grow out.

Does anyone use finger picks? I've found the thumb pick easy enough to use but the finger picks seem to get in the way. I may just have to wait until my nails grow back out.

by the way, I know many other players use thumb picks with just finger nails on the other two fingers...ie. Brent Mason. Just wondering what your thoughts were.

Scotty Lonesome · February 19th, 2009, 04:32 PM

I also use the flat pick and middle/ring fingers, but...I don't use the nails of my middle/ring. I use the fleshy part, and I've built up calluses...
Scotty.

HOBBSTER01 · February 19th, 2009, 05:14 PM

I am 46 and have played since I was 8.
I never used a pick until lately and I'm currently trying various thumb picks.
I too would appreciate any suggestions.
I did use Alaska finger picks for a short while and loved them after a brief period of acclamation but the store that carried them stopped ordering them due to lack of sales.
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...RWXO1&ZYXSEM=0

Cajun1 · February 19th, 2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty Lonesome

I also use the flat pick and middle/ring fingers, but...I don't use the nails of my middle/ring. I use the fleshy part, and I've built up calluses...
Scotty.

Thanks, I'm starting to get the callouses too but I can't quite get the volume and twang out of the flesh of my finger that I do from a pick. Am I doing something wrong?

jsntg · February 19th, 2009, 10:03 PM

Tried every thumbpick on the local market. Settled on Golden Gate extra heavy w/ flange. Stays put, doesn't give, muy dig, sturdy / grippy enuf to back pick sans i.

RodeoTex · February 19th, 2009, 11:59 PM

Thumb picks yes, finger picks no. Finger picks seem like a banjo thing to me. JMO

I love the idea of a thumbpick though. Pick on the thumb for bass notes or grip it like a regular pick. Only problem is that I've never found a thumb pick that would stay on when strumming and sweating. Answer:

One drop of super glue on top of my thumbnail, slide the pick on, done.

Wow, great home session. I did the whole Billy Gibbons thing concentrating on the pick and catching a few other notes with my finger tips and some country where my fingers did the melody and the thumb carried the bass line. I was impressed with myself.

Only problem: The thumb pick would not come off. I wore it around for several hours before finally steaming it off in the shower. Boy, if I were a gigging musician I'd have it surgically implanted (or something).

Cajun1 · February 20th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodeoTex

Thumb picks yes, finger picks no. Finger picks seem like a banjo thing to me. JMO

Yeah, I agree, I've dabbled with the banjo a little because my Dad plays but they do seem to get in the way. That's the reason I ask. Thanks for the input guys.

Scotty Lonesome · February 20th, 2009, 01:17 PM

Regarding the volume thing with the fingers...yeah, that will happen. I find that using the fingers "together" and the flat pick to pluck a 3-note chord, there is definitely a muting effect. However, when "chicken picking", the fingers should kinds "slap" like when bass players slap - that kinda makes up for the volume/mute thing.
Scotty

Leon Grizzard · February 20th, 2009, 01:31 PM

I used Alaska picks on middle and third fingers for a while. I thought they worked pretty well, but sure were ugly. I've been using acrylic nail powder and nail gel on the front part of my nails, and it works real well. I haven't broken a nail for probably six months.

Rumblebones · February 20th, 2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Thumb picks yes, finger picks no. Finger picks seem like a banjo thing to me. JMO

Agreed. I use a (filed down) thumb pick in general.

Quote:

...the fingers should kinda "slap" like when bass players slap - that kinda makes up for the volume/mute thing.

Agreed.

But what do I know, I suck at the chicken pickin' thing.

TelZilla · February 20th, 2009, 02:20 PM

I use a thumbpick, but no finger picks.

I find after a little practice, that the fleshy part of my fingers works fine. Also, "cut your fingernails" was drilled into me as a kid- my dad was a fanatic about it. I don't do a ton of banjo rolls or anything though.

As to having it fall off, I've been using the Jim Dunlop nickel silver thumbpick for about the last 15 years:

As far as having it slip off my finger, it's never happened because 1. the 4 holes on the Base grip the fleshy side of the thumb, and 2. the metal is flexible but still retains its shape, so you can crimp it down or make it bigger if you need to.

Also, I've never had to replace one- they are indestructible.

I guess some might not like the spanky tone of a metal pick, but hey, you're doin' chickin pickin on a telecaster, so let it rip...

Mr. Sparkle · February 20th, 2009, 02:36 PM

I do both the hybrid picking, with a flat pick and middle and ring fingers, and I also enjoy just using a thumbpick. I don't use finger picks and, like some above, I have through time been able to build up callouses and technique that help me get the volume I want.

Two electric players who used metal fingerpicks are Cliff Gallup, who played with Gene Vincent in the 1950s, and James Burton, who played with Elvis among many others. Gallup used a flat pick with metal fingerpicks on middle and ring fingers. He used a Gretsch Duo-Jet with Dynasonic single-coil pickups and a fixed-arm Bigsby through a Standel amplifier (approx. 25 watts into a 15" speaker). Even though his Gretsch was equipped with flat-wound strings, Gallup was able to acheive a very bright and snappy sound. He also acheived incredible speed.

Burton explains his use of fingerpicks on his HotLicks video. He says that discoverd the hybrid technique early on, but was not satisfied with the sound of his bare fingers. To compensate, he began using metal finger picks and has used them his entire career (to the best of my knowledge).

I would recommend checking out the Burton video. He does a fairly good job of explaining how he does what he does. But, like any other method, the technique of using metal fingerpicks on electric guitar requires some devoted pratice time.

Cajun1 · February 28th, 2009, 05:02 PM

Okay so I've been practicing alot using both a flat pick and middle/ring fingers and then a thumb pick with index/middle finger. I'm much better with the thumb pick and index/middle but now I am having trouble with just basic strumming ie; chords and rythym (sp?). For you guys who use thumb picks what do you do in songs that require both fills/soloing and rythym strumming?

By the way, thanks for all the info...mucho helpful!

Hucklebilly · February 28th, 2009, 05:37 PM

Here's the best thing I've found:

http://www.guitarplayernails.com/

No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer.

February 19th, 2009, 04:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cajun1 TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royse City, TX Posts: 21	Anybody use thumb/finger picks? I'm trying to teach myself to chickin' pick and I've had a very bad habit of chewing my fingernails until lately. I'm trying to use a flat pick between my thumb and index and then pick with my middle/ring fingers. I've been pretty disciplined about not chewing my right fingers lately so my nails are starting to grow out. Does anyone use finger picks? I've found the thumb pick easy enough to use but the finger picks seem to get in the way. I may just have to wait until my nails grow back out. by the way, I know many other players use thumb picks with just finger nails on the other two fingers...ie. Brent Mason. Just wondering what your thoughts were. __________________ '08 Squire Affinity Tele '05 MIM Diamond Anniversary Tele

February 19th, 2009, 05:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
HOBBSTER01 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North GA. Age: 47 Posts: 1,625 4 Photos	I am 46 and have played since I was 8. I never used a pick until lately and I'm currently trying various thumb picks. I too would appreciate any suggestions. I did use Alaska finger picks for a short while and loved them after a brief period of acclamation but the store that carried them stopped ordering them due to lack of sales. http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...RWXO1&ZYXSEM=0 __________________ The Hobbster

February 19th, 2009, 10:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
jsntg Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: san francisco Posts: 182	Golden Gate X-tra heavy W/ flange Tried every thumbpick on the local market. Settled on Golden Gate extra heavy w/ flange. Stays put, doesn't give, muy dig, sturdy / grippy enuf to back pick sans i.

February 19th, 2009, 11:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
RodeoTex Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,925	Thumb picks yes, finger picks no. Finger picks seem like a banjo thing to me. JMO I love the idea of a thumbpick though. Pick on the thumb for bass notes or grip it like a regular pick. Only problem is that I've never found a thumb pick that would stay on when strumming and sweating. Answer: One drop of super glue on top of my thumbnail, slide the pick on, done. Wow, great home session. I did the whole Billy Gibbons thing concentrating on the pick and catching a few other notes with my finger tips and some country where my fingers did the melody and the thumb carried the bass line. I was impressed with myself. Only problem: The thumb pick would not come off. I wore it around for several hours before finally steaming it off in the shower. Boy, if I were a gigging musician I'd have it surgically implanted (or something). __________________ Turn it on, turn it up, turn me loose.

February 20th, 2009, 02:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
TelZilla Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cleveburg, USA Age: 39 Posts: 2,853 6 Photos	I use a thumbpick, but no finger picks. I find after a little practice, that the fleshy part of my fingers works fine. Also, "cut your fingernails" was drilled into me as a kid- my dad was a fanatic about it. I don't do a ton of banjo rolls or anything though. As to having it fall off, I've been using the Jim Dunlop nickel silver thumbpick for about the last 15 years: As far as having it slip off my finger, it's never happened because 1. the 4 holes on the Base grip the fleshy side of the thumb, and 2. the metal is flexible but still retains its shape, so you can crimp it down or make it bigger if you need to. Also, I've never had to replace one- they are indestructible. I guess some might not like the spanky tone of a metal pick, but hey, you're doin' chickin pickin on a telecaster, so let it rip... __________________ "Slade was the coolest band in England. They were the kind of guys that would push your car out of a ditch." - Alice Cooper Thanks, Nick

February 19th, 2009, 04:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scotty Lonesome Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: El Cerrito, CA Age: 47 Posts: 321	I also use the flat pick and middle/ring fingers, but...I don't use the nails of my middle/ring. I use the fleshy part, and I've built up calluses... Scotty.

February 20th, 2009, 01:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Scotty Lonesome Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: El Cerrito, CA Age: 47 Posts: 321	Regarding the volume thing with the fingers...yeah, that will happen. I find that using the fingers "together" and the flat pick to pluck a 3-note chord, there is definitely a muting effect. However, when "chicken picking", the fingers should kinds "slap" like when bass players slap - that kinda makes up for the volume/mute thing. Scotty

February 20th, 2009, 01:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Leon Grizzard Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Age: 60 Posts: 1,586	I used Alaska picks on middle and third fingers for a while. I thought they worked pretty well, but sure were ugly. I've been using acrylic nail powder and nail gel on the front part of my nails, and it works real well. I haven't broken a nail for probably six months.

February 20th, 2009, 02:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mr. Sparkle Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Carlsbad, CA Age: 41 Posts: 1,417 4 Photos	I do both the hybrid picking, with a flat pick and middle and ring fingers, and I also enjoy just using a thumbpick. I don't use finger picks and, like some above, I have through time been able to build up callouses and technique that help me get the volume I want. Two electric players who used metal fingerpicks are Cliff Gallup, who played with Gene Vincent in the 1950s, and James Burton, who played with Elvis among many others. Gallup used a flat pick with metal fingerpicks on middle and ring fingers. He used a Gretsch Duo-Jet with Dynasonic single-coil pickups and a fixed-arm Bigsby through a Standel amplifier (approx. 25 watts into a 15" speaker). Even though his Gretsch was equipped with flat-wound strings, Gallup was able to acheive a very bright and snappy sound. He also acheived incredible speed. Burton explains his use of fingerpicks on his HotLicks video. He says that discoverd the hybrid technique early on, but was not satisfied with the sound of his bare fingers. To compensate, he began using metal finger picks and has used them his entire career (to the best of my knowledge). I would recommend checking out the Burton video. He does a fairly good job of explaining how he does what he does. But, like any other method, the technique of using metal fingerpicks on electric guitar requires some devoted pratice time.

February 28th, 2009, 05:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
Cajun1 TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Royse City, TX Posts: 21	Okay so I've been practicing alot using both a flat pick and middle/ring fingers and then a thumb pick with index/middle finger. I'm much better with the thumb pick and index/middle but now I am having trouble with just basic strumming ie; chords and rythym (sp?). For you guys who use thumb picks what do you do in songs that require both fills/soloing and rythym strumming? By the way, thanks for all the info...mucho helpful! __________________ '08 Squire Affinity Tele '05 MIM Diamond Anniversary Tele

February 28th, 2009, 05:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
Hucklebilly Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 878 2 Photos	Guitar Player Nails!!! Here's the best thing I've found: http://www.guitarplayernails.com/ No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer.

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