Picking question?

[justreleased09]

I have recently started using a thumbpick.....I used to play classical guitar so I have right hand finger chops, but I am also into faster alternate picking passages. Can you still do fast muted alternate picking with a thumbpick? Like angle the pick toward the bottom horn of the guitar? I use almost a circle picking technique, thumb and index(mixed with wrist rotation sometimes) Also, is sweeping possible....its wierd....The thumbpick just feels right. I wanna know if all the things possible with a flat pick are also possible with a thumbpick?

[rangercaster]

Welcome to TDPRI !!! as for your question, there are no strict rules ... whatever works for you is just fine ... and you can't go wrong studying Merle Travis or Doc Watson ...

[justreleased09]

Thanks for the reply. I am just getting in to the country thing....long time rock player, ha. I just found the board last night. 'tis an excellent place! What I meant was, I am having some trouble with the picking, and want to know if anyone else has had these issues and how they fixed them....Thanks guys!

[DavyA]

Originally Posted by justreleased09

I have recently started using a thumbpick.....I used to play classical guitar so I have right hand finger chops, but I am also into faster alternate picking passages. Can you still do fast muted alternate picking with a thumbpick? Like angle the pick toward the bottom horn of the guitar? I use almost a circle picking technique, thumb and index(mixed with wrist rotation sometimes) Also, is sweeping possible....its wierd....The thumbpick just feels right. I wanna know if all the things possible with a flat pick are also possible with a thumbpick?

Sure it's possible! Just grip the thumb pick like a flat pick with your index finger and go...!!

[charlie chitlin]

Yup!
A thimbpick is just a flat pick that you don't have to hold onto all the time.

[Valvey]

Scotty Anderson is probably the last word in using the thumb pick secondarily as a flat pick.

A closeup of his right hand at 1:04 of this vid shows how much he shortens the blade of his thumb pick to prevent snagging on the upstroke.

[justreleased09]

How do you file them down? How do you get the tips smooth....whnever I try, they are all rough and scratchy.....

[fordfanjpn]

Originally Posted by justreleased09

How do you file them down? How do you get the tips smooth....whnever I try, they are all rough and scratchy.....

I use a fingernail file to get the edge as smooth as I can, then I use my leather belt to buff the edge a bit. Seems to work.

Chet Atkins used to do arpeggio sweeps with a thumb pick. Seemed to work OK for him.

Bill