Strumming without a pick

[JonPR]

I often do it when lazily testing something out, but I try to resist doing it too much, because it find it wears down my fingernails really quickly, at least on steel strings. The strings seem to act like nail files. A notch develops on the side of my middle nail - the one that most contacts the strings - and eventually I need to trim it back. Worst case scenario, it splits and I have to cut it right back and let it grow again.

(Oddly, playing fingerstyle with my nails doesn't have that effect at all, so it's obviously weird. I think maybe the sides of my nails are thinner than the centre, and its the centre that picks.)

I certainly wouldn't strum that way live in any case, because I don't think the tone or definition is as good - as clean - as with a pick.

But this is all just me! If those things are not an issue for you, then there's nothing wrong with it as a technique.

[Bikewer]

Way back when I started playing in the 70s, I got a book out of the library on “strumming” which was based primarily on Latin-influenced fingerstyle strumming patterns.
Some of these were quite complex.

I occasionally use a technique similar to banjo “frailing” on my nylon-string guitars.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by pvfederico

What a wonderful song. Thanks for introducing me to Rodney Crowell.

You're welcome. I put up the live version because you could see his picking style better.

Here is the official video with John Paul White and the ex Mrs. Crowell. Not a pick to be seen anywhere.