Plectrum picking guitar songs?

[GuitarM]

I don't know what the term for picking with a plectrum is...

But basically, I've only been fingerpicking so far, but would also like to learn how to use the plectrum for picking (or in combo with strumming, but not just strumming).

Can you recommend me songs? Not too difficult, nor too easy

Thank you =D

[Dru Edwards]

I think you're referring to Flatpicking. Are there specific styles of music you're looking for, i.e. bluegrass, country, etc?

[HHP]

It is flatpicking, and the foundation of all flatpicking is called Carter Style. In Carter style you play out a simple version of the melody interspersed with chords. You can find arrangements in this style on line or in books. Once comfortable with that, you can look into adding some fiddle tunes that will involve a more complex melody line and generally separate the lead and rhythm into two distinct parts. Those two suggestions should keep you busy for the next 2-3 decades.

[GuitarM]

It really doesn't matter what genre it is.. I just want to get used to flatpicking haha.. as I want to also get into electric guitar playing

[Scholar]

Wildwood Flower is a greater starter, and there are plenty of free tabbed arrangements available that range from plain and simple, to complex crosspicking. To give a listen, head for Youtube and just search for "flatpicking Wildwood Flower"....

[Opa John]

+1 on "Wildwood Flower". And here's another good one done by Norman Blake that works for me. He's capo'd at 7, which is way too high for my voice, but you can put the capo anywhere you want it....or not at all if you don't need it. This is good stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Krey-_0-TA

[JohnnyDes]

I've quite enjoyed Jeff Troxel's "study in flatpicking". He's got about twenty different classic fiddle tunes, in the correct key (I think), with variations that go from easy to intermediate. Definitely gets your pick moving productively.

http://www.jefftroxel.com/store/a-study-in-flatpicking/

JD

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by GuitarM

I want to also get into electric guitar playing

Those can also be fingerpicked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_lwocmL9dQ

[GuitarM]

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

Those can also be fingerpicked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_lwocmL9dQ

I know, but I would also like to play with the pick... But I can't really find songs that would help me prepare for the electric :P I'll try those fiddle tunes

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by GuitarM

I know, but I would also like to play with the pick... But I can't really find songs that would help me prepare for the electric :P I'll try those fiddle tunes

That was something of a joke--it was Eddie Van Halen fingertapping the intro to "Eruption."

There are a gazillion books on playing electric guitar. I'm sure someone smarter than I can recommend one to you...or a website.

[GuitarM]

So if I just start learning some flatpicking I'm preparing myself for the e-guitar aswell right?

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by GuitarM

So if I just start learning some flatpicking I'm preparing myself for the e-guitar aswell right?

I would say more than by learning fingerstyle, yes. If you're learning acoustic lead guitar flatpicking runs, you're also learning scales, and I think that would carry over to the electric. Well, I know it does, because I play both (poorly).

But as the wiser folks on AGF will tell you, the electric, while similar to the acoustic, is its own animal that is in some ways easier and in other ways harder to play than the acoustic. Both can make sounds that the other can't by virtue of how they make the sound: the acoustic by a vibrating string in turn vibrating a soundboard that moves the air within a chamber, and the electric by a vibrating metal string passing through the field of electromagnetic pickups and translated into sound by an amp (and any and all doo-dads that you plug in in-between).

[tonyo]

Like you, I started finger picking and have been doing some plectrum / flat picking more recently.

Learned a new song, here's my transcribing of it which also describes the flat picking.

For the G chord, I pick just the 6th String (bass), then strum down the 4th through the 1st strings, then I pick just the 4th String (alternate base) and then strum down the 4th through the 1st strings. That's 4 beats. Em is 6th and 4th alternating, D is 4th and 5th alternating.

Looking out my back door

Intro: [G] [G] [Em] [Em]

Strum: Bass string pluck, then down, Alt base string pluck, then down.

Main verse:

|G |G |Em |Em
|C |G |D |D
|G |G |Em |Em
|C |G |D |G

Tambourines and elephants...
|D |D |C |G
|G |Em|D |D

Last verse key change
|A |A |F#m|F#m
|D |A |E |E
|A |A |F#m|F#m
|D |A |E |A

Verse one:

[G]Just got home from Illinois, [Em]Lock the front door oh boy
[C]Got to set [G]down take a [D]rest on the porch
[G]Imagination sets in, [EM]Pretty soon I'm singing
[C]Doot Doot [G]Doot looking [D]out my back [G]door

Giant doing cartwheels, A statue wearing high heels
Look at all the happy creatures dancing on and on
A dinosaur Victrola Listening to Buck Owens
Doot Doot Doot looking out my back door

[D]Tambourines and elephants, are [C]playing in the [G]band
Won't you take a ride [EM]on the flyin' [D]spoon Doot Doo Doo

[G]Wondrous apparation [EM]provided by magician
[C]Doot Doot [G]Doot lookin' [D]out my back [G]door

Smile with me tomorrow, Today I'll find no sorrow
Doot Doot Doot looking out my back door

Break

G F#m F E D A F#m E

[A]Forward troubles illinois, [F#m]Lock the front door oh boy
[D]Look at all the [A]happy creatures [E]dancing on and on
[A]Bother me tomorrow, [F#m]today i'll find no sorrow
[D]Doot Doot [A]Doot looking [E]out my back [A]door