Strumming/plectrum
Question:
<snip> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, my position is a bit different… I’ve read – here, and from other > sources, that 1/4" of the pick is enough to strike the strings and > sound out as loudly and as expressively as you want… Unfortunately, > the absolute first thing I taught myself was distorted power-chords, > and at this point, I have about a half-inch of distance from the tips > of my fingers and the tip of the pick (the Dunlop mediums that I > prefer are about 1" long from tip to back)… if I shorten the tip > length, my index finger hits the strings (my index finger, on the > bottom side, extends beyond my thumb on the top when I’m playing – I > have big hands and my fingers have been moderately tweaked by playing > football… makes playing barre chords a bitch ’cause my index fingers > both bend outwards at the first knuckle past the hand). My primary > question here is are there any exercises I can use, besides > this? It’s quite uncomfortable to pack my index finger into my palm > and only use the side of my finger; the rest of my fingers pull my > index out with them when they’re straightened (my middle finger is > tweaked from hitting pads as well).
This may not be what you’re asking, but hey, whaddya want for nothing? I agree that 1/4" of pick is probably as much as you’ll ever need, but I’d never take that to mean that I’m not supposed to have any more than that sticking out from between my fingers. You should allow as much pick as you need to have that 1/4" clear, then learn to only use that bit. I could pick with a three-inch long piece of plastic and still only use the leading 1/4" if I wanted to (not that I would, mind you). So if some admonition to only "show" 1/4" of pick is bothering you, you hereby have my permission to ignore it. I do recommend that you only "use" 1/4" or less, though.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The point of playing slowly when practicing is to be able to pay attention > to what you’re doing, and give you a chance to get more control over > whatever you’re doing. If you find that sitting down and just exercising > like this is too boring, try adding in other effects, like playing > legato – > keeping each note ringing as long as possible before the next. Or, > exercise for a few minutes, play for a while, exercise again. > That said, when I use a pick I hold it at different positions for > different > effects.. For strumming, there’s more pick exposed. For tighter things, > there’s less, and yes, I can tend to wear my index finger-nail down. If > you > want to pick harmonics out of the strings, there’s not going to be much > pick > exposed at all. Pick position isn’t meant to be static, and people’s > hands > aren’t all the same. > If your fingers stick out a lot further, examine your wrist and finger > position. It might be a really good idea to take just a lesson or two > from > a good teacher on basic form – it can be surprising what you don’t notice > yourself doing. Example: friend of mine was complaining his guitar was > sharp.. I watched him play, he was resting his right arm heavily on the > body, and pulling back slightly with the left. He was quite unaware of > this, but it was plain watching him. > Make clear to the teacher beforehand what you are having difficulties > with, > it will help to determine if he (or she) is the right person for the job. > Good luck, and enjoy. > -pk > 1. I’m drunk =) > 2. I completely understand what you’re saying, and it’ll make even more > sense tomorrow. I personally have never had a professional instructor, > everything I’ve done has been on my own. And I do understand the point of > playing slowly; patience just isn’t my strong suit =) Btw, I bite my nails > (unfortunately for guitar), so the part that hits the string is the tip of > the finger, which is why I asked. Unlike the original poster, I pull my > hand away after hitting the last string, but I haven’t yet found a way to > choke back on the pick. You’re absolutely right, a teacher could very well > help with that, problem is I’ve looked at proper finger position on the pick > and it’s uncomfortable to pack my finger that tight into my hand… Practice > most likely is the only viable solution, I was just lookin’ for other > exercises =) Thanks for the response though, I know I need pro instruction, > and I completely understand using different positions for different styles > of play (btw, I haven’t put in the work for scales yet, I’ve only played > chords/powerchords primarily so far).
As to scales, you might consider the two basic pentatonic shapes, and use them for picking practice. The two shapes apply up and down the neck http://www.guitar.com/columns/viewcolumn.asp?columnID=44 figures 3 and 4 show the shapes I’m referring to. Others: http://www.guitar.net/chops101/pentatonic_pt_2/index.html http://www.etherjazz.com/bestleadbook/shapes.htm This can make things way more interesting, as you’ll quickly find familiar note patterns when you play around with it. Regarding the pick.. I don’t curl the tips of my fingers into my palm. They meet my thumb pretty much at right angles, but never go into the palm. YMMV. -pk
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The point of playing slowly when practicing is to be able to pay attention > to what you’re doing, and give you a chance to get more control over > whatever you’re doing. If you find that sitting down and just exercising > like this is too boring, try adding in other effects, like playing legato – > keeping each note ringing as long as possible before the next. Or, > exercise for a few minutes, play for a while, exercise again. > That said, when I use a pick I hold it at different positions for different > effects.. For strumming, there’s more pick exposed. For tighter things, > there’s less, and yes, I can tend to wear my index finger-nail down. If you > want to pick harmonics out of the strings, there’s not going to be much pick > exposed at all. Pick position isn’t meant to be static, and people’s hands > aren’t all the same. > If your fingers stick out a lot further, examine your wrist and finger > position. It might be a really good idea to take just a lesson or two from > a good teacher on basic form – it can be surprising what you don’t notice > yourself doing. Example: friend of mine was complaining his guitar was > sharp.. I watched him play, he was resting his right arm heavily on the > body, and pulling back slightly with the left. He was quite unaware of > this, but it was plain watching him. > Make clear to the teacher beforehand what you are having difficulties with, > it will help to determine if he (or she) is the right person for the job. > Good luck, and enjoy. > -pk
1. I’m drunk =) 2. I completely understand what you’re saying, and it’ll make even more sense tomorrow. I personally have never had a professional instructor, everything I’ve done has been on my own. And I do understand the point of playing slowly; patience just isn’t my strong suit =) Btw, I bite my nails (unfortunately for guitar), so the part that hits the string is the tip of the finger, which is why I asked. Unlike the original poster, I pull my hand away after hitting the last string, but I haven’t yet found a way to choke back on the pick. You’re absolutely right, a teacher could very well help with that, problem is I’ve looked at proper finger position on the pick and it’s uncomfortable to pack my finger that tight into my hand… Practice most likely is the only viable solution, I was just lookin’ for other exercises =) Thanks for the response though, I know I need pro instruction, and I completely understand using different positions for different styles of play (btw, I haven’t put in the work for scales yet, I’ve only played chords/powerchords primarily so far).
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yes, pick = plectrum. Some people do use coins, but as you’ve noticed > thare are issues arising from the sometimes rough edges and there is > something of a lack of flexibility. In a pinch, some people use plastic > bread ties as picks, but it’s best to shape the edges. > Picks are used instead of fingers to present a consistent, easily > controllable surface to the strings. With fingers or thumb, in one > direction you’ll get flesh, in the other nail. These produce two quite > different tones. As well, it’s not always a pleasant experience to be > strumming heavily with your nails, as it can simulate trying to pull them > off. > Picks are cheap. Get a small selection, light, medium and heavy, and see > what works best for you. Generally for strumming, light to medium picks > are used, for fast single-note work hard picks are appropriate since you > can > tell exactly where the end is going to be. > It’s best to avoid striking the guitar with the pick. As far as bad > habits > are concerned, yes, this is one. Generally you should avoid developing > them. > Ok, my position is a bit different… I’ve read – here, and from other > sources, that 1/4" of the pick is enough to strike the strings and sound out > as loudly and as expressively as you want… Unfortunately, the absolute > first thing I taught myself was distorted power-chords, and at this point, I > have about a half-inch of distance from the tips of my fingers and the tip > of the pick (the Dunlop mediums that I prefer are about 1" long from tip to > back)… if I shorten the tip length, my index finger hits the strings (my > index finger, on the bottom side, extends beyond my thumb on the top when > I’m playing – I have big hands and my fingers have been moderately tweaked > by playing football… makes playing barre chords a bitch ’cause my index > fingers both bend outwards at the first knuckle past the hand). My primary > question here is are there any exercises I can use, besides > It’s quite uncomfortable to pack my index finger into my palm and only use > the side of my finger; the rest of my fingers pull my index out with them > when they’re straightened (my middle finger is tweaked from hitting pads as > well).
The point of playing slowly when practicing is to be able to pay attention to what you’re doing, and give you a chance to get more control over whatever you’re doing. If you find that sitting down and just exercising like this is too boring, try adding in other effects, like playing legato – keeping each note ringing as long as possible before the next. Or, exercise for a few minutes, play for a while, exercise again. That said, when I use a pick I hold it at different positions for different effects.. For strumming, there’s more pick exposed. For tighter things, there’s less, and yes, I can tend to wear my index finger-nail down. If you want to pick harmonics out of the strings, there’s not going to be much pick exposed at all. Pick position isn’t meant to be static, and people’s hands aren’t all the same. If your fingers stick out a lot further, examine your wrist and finger position. It might be a really good idea to take just a lesson or two from a good teacher on basic form – it can be surprising what you don’t notice yourself doing. Example: friend of mine was complaining his guitar was sharp.. I watched him play, he was resting his right arm heavily on the body, and pulling back slightly with the left. He was quite unaware of this, but it was plain watching him. Make clear to the teacher beforehand what you are having difficulties with, it will help to determine if he (or she) is the right person for the job. Good luck, and enjoy. -pk
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yes, pick = plectrum. Some people do use coins, but as you’ve noticed > thare are issues arising from the sometimes rough edges and there is > something of a lack of flexibility. In a pinch, some people use plastic > bread ties as picks, but it’s best to shape the edges. > Picks are used instead of fingers to present a consistent, easily > controllable surface to the strings. With fingers or thumb, in one > direction you’ll get flesh, in the other nail. These produce two quite > different tones. As well, it’s not always a pleasant experience to be > strumming heavily with your nails, as it can simulate trying to pull them > off. > Picks are cheap. Get a small selection, light, medium and heavy, and see > what works best for you. Generally for strumming, light to medium picks > are used, for fast single-note work hard picks are appropriate since you can > tell exactly where the end is going to be. > It’s best to avoid striking the guitar with the pick. As far as bad habits > are concerned, yes, this is one. Generally you should avoid developing > them.
Ok, my position is a bit different… I’ve read – here, and from other sources, that 1/4" of the pick is enough to strike the strings and sound out as loudly and as expressively as you want… Unfortunately, the absolute first thing I taught myself was distorted power-chords, and at this point, I have about a half-inch of distance from the tips of my fingers and the tip of the pick (the Dunlop mediums that I prefer are about 1" long from tip to back)… if I shorten the tip length, my index finger hits the strings (my index finger, on the bottom side, extends beyond my thumb on the top when I’m playing – I have big hands and my fingers have been moderately tweaked by playing football… makes playing barre chords a bitch ’cause my index fingers both bend outwards at the first knuckle past the hand). My primary question here is are there any exercises I can use, besides It’s quite uncomfortable to pack my index finger into my palm and only use the side of my finger; the rest of my fingers pull my index out with them when they’re straightened (my middle finger is tweaked from hitting pads as well).
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > I have only been ‘playing’ the guitar since yesterday but don’t have a pick > (this is the same as a plectrum, isn’t it?). Looking at some online teaching > sites, they often say use a plectrum, but don’t give a reason why. I have > found strumming a bit difficult, so decided to use a Brittish 2 pence coin > to strum and it is a lot easier – however on the down stroke, the edge of > the coin often hits the guitar after it has finsihed strumming all the > strings, especially if I want to get a clear note from the first (thinnest) > string. Is this OK to be doing? I imagine after a while I’ll start getting > dents in that area if this habit continues – is there anything I can do to > rectify this habit or is this just how it should be – or should I learn to > strum without a pick at all? I’d prefer to keep one method – pick or natural > fingers – while I’m doing my initial learning, so I’m also wondering which > is best for a complete beginner with an (electric) guitar. Thanks, > Jon
Yes, pick = plectrum. Some people do use coins, but as you’ve noticed thare are issues arising from the sometimes rough edges and there is something of a lack of flexibility. In a pinch, some people use plastic bread ties as picks, but it’s best to shape the edges. Picks are used instead of fingers to present a consistent, easily controllable surface to the strings. With fingers or thumb, in one direction you’ll get flesh, in the other nail. These produce two quite different tones. As well, it’s not always a pleasant experience to be strumming heavily with your nails, as it can simulate trying to pull them off. Picks are cheap. Get a small selection, light, medium and heavy, and see what works best for you. Generally for strumming, light to medium picks are used, for fast single-note work hard picks are appropriate since you can tell exactly where the end is going to be. It’s best to avoid striking the guitar with the pick. As far as bad habits are concerned, yes, this is one. Generally you should avoid developing them. -pk
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > I have only been ‘playing’ the guitar since yesterday but don’t have a > pick (this is the same as a plectrum, isn’t it?). Looking at some > online teaching sites, they often say use a plectrum, but don’t give a > reason why. I have found strumming a bit difficult, so decided to use > a Brittish 2 pence coin to strum and it is a lot easier – however on > the down stroke, the edge of the coin often hits the guitar after it > has finsihed strumming all the strings, especially if I want to get a > clear note from the first (thinnest) string. Is this OK to be doing? I > imagine after a while I’ll start getting dents in that area if this > habit continues – is there anything I can do to rectify this habit or > is this just how it should be – or should I learn to strum without a > pick at all? I’d prefer to keep one method – pick or natural fingers – > while I’m doing my initial learning, so I’m also wondering which is > best for a complete beginner with an (electric) guitar. Thanks, > Jon
Well, a pick and a plectrum are the same thing–good thinking. Though either fingers or a pick will work fine on an electric, I think you’ll find that the majority of electric players use a pick. That’s not to say that some really great electric players don’t fingerpick–it’s all Mark Knopfler does–but it’s most likely that whoever your electric guitar hero is, he’s using a pick. With that in mind, you should definitely consider starting with a pick. There are sort of two schools of thought on the fingers/pick thing. Some say that, since fingerpicking is somewhat more versatile, and learning to use a pick is simpler, you’re best to start out with your fingers. Others make the argument I’ve made above. Who’s right? I don’t know. I do know that 18 years in, I’m still the world’s worst fingerpicker, but I also haven’t really been motivated to learn it well, since it’s not appropriate to what I like to play. If you can, figure out what music you’re most interested in, and master the techniques used for it. Most of the base techniques of playing guitar are the same anyway, so it’s not too hard to branch out once you’ve got proficiency in one style. I’d take it easy for now on the 2p coin. I know Brian May uses a coin (I think it’s one of the pre-decimal, now discontinued coins, in fact), but you’ll do a lot less damage to your guitar in the early going if you use a plastic one. Go get a proper plectrum that you like–there are tons of shapes and thicknesses and materials, and they’re dead cheap, though some are probably more than 2p (IMO, if a pick isn’t pretty cheap, it’s probably a waste of money). You could get a huge variety stack for a quid and experiment to see what you like. I’d guess that the reason you find the 2p coin so easy to use is that it’s so round. It’s hard to dig too deeply into the strings with it (a common newbie problem)–it will still slide back out. It does sound, though, as if you are strumming too deeply if you’re really hitting the face of your guitar. I still hit the face of my guitar sometimes, but not much and probably not hard enough or often enough to scratch it up, even if I were playing with a serrated-edge coin. Take your new plectrum and experiment with just brushing the pick over the strings. You’ll soon see that you needn’t really catch the pick deeply on the strings to get a good sound. As you experiment, you’ll see how the sound changes based on how you hold the pick and how deeply you dig in. It’s part of learning to use a pick, and can’t be avoided.
Response:
Hi all, I have only been ‘playing’ the guitar since yesterday but don’t have a pick (this is the same as a plectrum, isn’t it?). Looking at some online teaching sites, they often say use a plectrum, but don’t give a reason why. I have found strumming a bit difficult, so decided to use a Brittish 2 pence coin to strum and it is a lot easier – however on the down stroke, the edge of the coin often hits the guitar after it has finsihed strumming all the strings, especially if I want to get a clear note from the first (thinnest) string. Is this OK to be doing? I imagine after a while I’ll start getting dents in that area if this habit continues – is there anything I can do to rectify this habit or is this just how it should be – or should I learn to strum without a pick at all? I’d prefer to keep one method – pick or natural fingers – while I’m doing my initial learning, so I’m also wondering which is best for a complete beginner with an (electric) guitar. Thanks, Jon
Response:
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