The Pick Doesn't Lie

[NighthawkChris]

I think that it is natural to look at a virtuoso guitar player and notice that they can definitely run their fretting hand all over the notes high and low, but I believe that picking is an underrated or rather unnoticed exercise for some. For instance, arpeggios whether they be the metal sweeps or the clean articulations of a "jazzy" chord, it requires graceful picking and control. You can almost tell how experienced a guitar player is - what they can achieve at the current point in time - based on how they look when they use a pick. Usually, the accomplished guitar players have a graceful, seamless, no tension approach to picking - almost like the pick "blends" in with the picking hand. They have a very controlled sound with no stumbles on undesired strings/notes. Whereas now, you will watch a beginner and the pick looks like a foreign object in their hands - very stiff, rigid, and uncomfortable. I just say this, because I can (after quite a few years of work as this isn't a gift from God) effortlessly fret notes and without thinking, very gracefully pick the note on the right string. I can alternate pick when I arpeggiate a chord very accurately as well. Took some time to master no doubt as I wasn't necessarily born with this skill, but it has paid dividends to me in terms of what I can play and how well I make my notes sound. Like in piano, it is not about hitting the notes, but how the dynamics work - how the notes are attacked, sustained, etc. Guitar is a dynamic instrument, so this is something to consider when articulating a song's notes. I also get it that finger picking and chicken pickin' and all that other stuff are other advanced skills, but being able to use a pick proficiently is a must IMHO to become accomplished. I don't know how others feel about this, but I definitely feel that picking with a "standard" pick is something that should be a main focus when learning guitar for the first time. Even players that have played for a long time that haven't truly mastered the art of graceful picking, it shows... Not trying to knock those as I definitely do not have this elitist attitude towards this, but thought it would be a mention as I spent plenty of time refining my abilities. I mean, you have to put in the time to play to get better. I am as good as I am because I "busted my A" and put those callouses on my fingers to achieve what I am inspired to play. I attribute a lot of the skill I have is because my picking abilities are pretty strong. It's like sight reading, the more you do it, the better you become at it.

[Guest Farnsbarns]

I don't use a pick.

[merciful-evans]

I couldn't agree more NH Chris.

 

An experienced player I used to know said that a player's individualism was in his picking hand. Its what makes us sound different.

 

I also fingerpick, and the same is true of fingerstyle. You can instantly recognize Bert Jansch or Mark Knopfler when hearing them. I suspect the same is true of Farns ;)

[Pinch]

Nods head yes.

 

The picking hand is as important as the fretting hand.

[kidblast]

Agree 100%

 

I've taught for many yeas, and one of the things that makes guitar as much of a challenge for beginners is the right and left hand must work seamlessly together at all times.

and the connection almost has to be one where the conscious thought has little to do with.

 

Muscle memory is key. and has to be developed slowly.

 

It's not something that happens over night, but when you least expect it, you realize.. it's there. And once there, it's there forever. One reason why proper technique from the start is key. Retraining something that muscle memory has taken control of is difficult to do.

 

 

The same, but opposite, as well for piano, the left and right hand must learn to work independently.

[Black Dog]

Yeah. To the beginner the fretting hand is initially the most intimidating aspect, I think. But it doesn't take long to realize just how important the other hand is. Then you hear and watch a good finger picker like Knopfler and realize how badly you suck. It almost seems as if a pick is like the equivalent of training wheels on a bicycle. You only use one until you really know how to play. Not at all to offend any of the really great pick users out there, just sayin' that the finger picking style, when mastered, is sort of the holy grail.

[NighthawkChris]

When I think of finger picking styles, I am thinking of bluegrass, old country (chicken pickin'), classical (Flamenco have you) guitar, and some styles of jazz. I definitely work on this stuff as well. To be honest, when I play guitar in these styles, I am nothing to write home about I guess you might say, but I'm not bad at it. Just the run of the mill and I could use some improvement. But when it comes to picking as a guy who was definitely began playing guitar centered in a rock style of guitar for quite some time, I seemed to work on mastering "conventional" picking fairly well for both leads and rhythms. In terms of where I want to go as Black Dog put it, finger picking styles are the holy grail for sure as more sophisticated types of music incorporate these finger picked playing styles. I am traditionally a piano player (played since I was 9, am 37 now). Still play today on my nice Boston upright working on my Chopin and ragtime repertoire very frequently. I believe that learning guitar became a bit more naturally to me as I already understood healthy amount of theory before ever picking up a guitar at age 14. My hands are independent as they need to be in a piano like kidblast said, but the time and effort to learn a "guitar coordination" seemed to bless me earlier than most of my other friends who never learned how to play piano and picked up a guitar the same time I did. I find sometimes I jump between playing one more than the other (guitar or piano), but when I decide to make a switch, it feels like I have not lost any time or rather, they complement each other very well. I like to think of it as my advantage. And I am not some type of professional musician, but I am definitely somewhat accomplished and enjoy playing where I want to do this to my dying day. I like performing as music is art, and art is supposed to be shared IMHO. I feel best when I can inspire others with my music and creativity. Either way, just a little background on me and my playing style characteristics. The music burns inside of me. When you spend a lot of time learning something, it becomes part of you. Try learning a Chopin Etude for the first time... You cannot learn something this complex - and it is not the most complex - without it impressioning you greatly. They take years to master, because learning the notes is only half the battle...

[rct]

Two words:

 

Jeff Beck.

 

Yer welcome.

 

rct

[kidblast]

Two words:

 

Jeff Beck.

 

Yer welcome.

 

rct

 

yea I dig it.. but With all due respect to Mr. Beck, taking a walk down the road that guys like Julian Bream have walked, (one of Segovia's protege's), it's a whole different ball game with what these guys can do. not even in the same city, never mind ball park. I think that's some of what Chris may be venturing towards

[surfpup]

I never think about my picking hand. It seems to do what I need it to do without being told twice.

[Rabs]

Two words:

 

Jeff Beck.

 

Yer welcome.

 

rct

I was gonna say that <_<

 

Also Mr Knophler

[NighthawkChris]

Thanks Rabs, watched these videos. Can't watch the Jeff Beck one because I am in US and it is forbidden to me because of that apparently. Nonetheless, I know about Knopfler and Dire Straits. I learned the Sultans over 10 years ago. Can even play the lead parts very well - and finger picked... Other than that, don't really care for the Straits that much to be honest. Know Mark is great and all that, but that music isn't me.

 

I have a classical/romantic side of me though, yet I have a great appreciation for old American music - early Jazz, ragtime, stride, etc. Hard and "classic" rock just isn't my thing so much anymore I guess. I like listening to it at times, but I prefer to play different things these days. I know the classic rock hits pretty well, know about metal, of course alternative since I grew up for the most part as a teen in the 90's... I just have a broad exposure to music I suppose - can appreciate them for what they are worth if we must place them into genres. Maybe because in college I studied music history that had an influence on me... After all, it was after my first class I heard Chopin's Revolutionary Etude and it blew me away... I wanted to play like THAT!

 

But more and more, I have been wanting to play some great jazz music, old country music, bluegrass - getting that chicken pickin going... I'm just all over the place with my interests. Although when I start playing one thing, I get into the music then and there. I have an older book that features Joe Pass and I'm trying to pick up on some of his tips with jazz... Sort of my focus these days. He talks about picking and all that jive. Hopefully I get through the material and come out good on the other side. Either this or I find a jazz guitarist who offers lessons, haha!

[Notes_Norton]

You have to practice your skills until you are "one with your instrument" and the tool (instrument and gear) becomes as natural to you as walking and talking. Then you can express yourself.

 

And it's with all instruments. I play sax, wind synth, flute, guitar, bass, keyboard synth, drums, and vocals. Whether it's note fingerings, picks, reeds, breath control, tongue, fingers, joystick, keys, and everything else, until you get to the point where the instrument is a part of you, where you don't have to struggle with the interface or even think about the tool in your hands, you are not one with the instrument yet.

 

Granted, it takes years of practice and playing to get there. Fortunately, I have been able to make a living playing music for many decades, so not only do I get practice time at home, but I get it on stage as well. I'm one with the sax, flute, wind synth, and voice, and am getting closer on the guitar (it's my newest instrument).

 

Just keep playing, practice seriously and work to perform effortlessly.

 

Notes

[OldCowboy]

A bit of ambidexterity needs to be cultivated, unless you're naturally so inclined. Then you have the whole right brain/left brain issue which asserts itself at a very basic level. All in all, this would be a fun way to spend a bit of grant/study money😁

[JayinLA]

Chet Atkins

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ZMoymgqbU

[Twang Gang]

When playing for many years, I tend to forget how important the picking hand is. As Notes said I guess it just becomes second nature and you tend to take it for granted. I have a nephew who is left handed and he bought a guitar and started taking some lessons. He lived far away and I didn't see him play for quite awhile and when I did I saw that he had a left handed guitar. I told him I thought it would have been advantageous to learn to play right handed, as his left hand would be more coordinated to form chords and positions. He said he agreed, but he could not pick at all with his right hand.

 

I used to be able to finger pick some back in the folk music days and especially used it when playing 12 string guitar. But over the years I have pretty much lost it and just flat pick all the time now. Have always admired Chet Atkins and others for the ability to keep that rhythm/bass part going with the thumb and melody with the fingers. But I fear this old dog is too old to learn new tricks.