Finger picks playing demo

[TBman]

This is a my new torture device. The idea is that you wear metal finger picks and a Blue Chip thumb pick and before you go insane you have to figure out how to stop the picks from clicking on the strings consistently.

It's only been about a week for me, but I'm already starting to grind my teeth

Tic tic rasp, tic tic rasp, tic tic rasp...... Lovely tone,

Zoom H5 recording....

[Glennwillow]

Have you tried plastic fingerpicks of any kind, Barry?

I could never make metal fingerpicks sound good.

Just a thought...

- Glenn

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Have you tried plastic fingerpicks of any kind, Barry?

I could never make metal fingerpicks sound good.

Just a thought...

- Glenn

I had tried a couple of different plastic, under nail picks. The sides kept getting caught on one brand and the other brand just didn't feel right. The metal ones I'm using are the ProPik Finger tones, the ones with a loop:

https://pro-pik.com/collections/fing...AE-fingerpicks

These feel really comfortable. I think I should be okay with them in a few weeks (less noise).

I'm going to try some plastic picks soon.

[Mr. Jelly]

I don't use metal picks because of the sound plus I don't like the feel of them. I could never get them to fit where I liked them. But then I didn't try very hard either. I use old style plastic finger picks and use boiling water to modify the fit for me. I have numerous sets but really it only takes one set that a person likes as they don't seem to wear out.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

I don't use metal picks because of the sound plus I don't like the feel of them. I could never get them to fit where I liked them. But then I didn't try very hard either. I use old style plastic finger picks and use boiling water to modify the fit for me. I have numerous sets but really it only takes one set that a person likes as they don't seem to wear out.

I have some plastic picks on the way. I'm curious to see how they work out.

[6L6]

I literally never leave home without them:



Back in my 1960's college days, my roommate wouldn't teach me Travis picking unless I wore these. It was a struggle at first, but I've thanked him ever since!

[TBman]

Originally Posted by 6L6

......

Back in my 1960's college days, my roommate wouldn't teach me Travis picking unless I wore these. It was a struggle at first, but I've thanked him ever since!

I wish I would have started sooner with them, but what's done is done. The extra baggage picks bring to the table as far as recording is something to get used to also (and page turning).

[Coler]

Originally Posted by TBman

I wish I would have started sooner with them, but what's done is done. The extra baggage picks bring to the table as far as recording is something to get used to also (and page turning).

Barry that tone and articulation sounds very good.

Like you I'm pretty excited by the difference between these and bare flesh (albeit I have maintained short finger nails that I use quite a bit, and I have been using a thumb pick on some pieces for a while now).

[Robin, Wales]

There is something about the tone of full metal fingerpicks that just sort of "lifts" the guitar. A lot of the players (singer/songwriters) that I have liked over the years have used them. And when I switch from flatpicking to fingerstyle it is sort of a natural switch and keeps the guitar timbre consistent compared to playing with bare fingers.

I did have a set of ProPik Fingertones when I first started out but fairly quickly switched to full metal faced (old style) fingerpicks to get the full timbre.

[Nymuso]

I listened. The side edge of the pick is scraping along the windings of the wound strings.

You can adjust your attack so your fingers are perpendicular to the strings. I have had difficulty making this adjustment myself, so to compensate I rotate the picks on my fingers slightly to minimize side contact with the string. You can ease the edges of the picks with a wire brush. You can make sure the flat surfaces of the picks are polished.

You can also switch to brass, which tend to impart less scratchiness to the attack.

[Mr. Jelly]

I was thinking what would happen if you used some type of sandpaper for metal and round the edges of the metal finger picks. Just a thought.

[mclarry53]

I've always used fingerpicks and I've experimented with many types both metal and plastic. Mostly I've used metal--light gauge Dunlops for many years because they were comfortable. I thought some of the plastic picks sounded really nice but I could never get to a place where they were comfortable and also stayed in place. For metal picks, I think heavier bronze ones are easiest to keep quiet. I also second the recommendation above about slightly rotating the picks so they strike the strings on less of an angle.

Finally, I have grown to love Cling-Pro picks from Canada (I have no association with them other than buying from them regularly). They stay in place, are really comfortable and I think there is something about the shape that tends to cut down on the noise. Of course, this also may have something to with my own picking style, but for me, they work best. And they don't wear out--I only buy more when I lose them!
Good luck Barry!
Larry

[Andyrondack]

I think if you want to use metal picks and play blues ,ragtime travis type picking then just playing strings with a plain third solves the rasping noise problem, with other types of music where the melody might occasionally move on to the 4th string then developing a technique of playing those melody notes with a plastic thumbpick might be the way to go.

[gfirob]

I have played with metal fingerpicks for 50 years. They do take getting used to and they will always sound like metal fingerpicks, for better or for worse.

Best picks I have ever tried:

https://www.elderly.com/products/acr...gerpicks-pair?

Review
https://acousticlife.tv/acri-fingerpicks-review/

[6L6]

"but I could never get to a place where they were comfortable and also stayed in place."

You'll note in my pic above that I favor full metal picks in size 0.013. This size is readily moldable to the shape of your fingers and very comfortable to wear once adjusted properly.

As for keeping them on... you don't need Superglue. All you need is SPIT. Yup, just put the tips of your fingers in your mouth and then slide on the metal pics. They won't go anywhere!