AGF - home of fingerstyle or pickers?

[phcorrigan]

Flat picks? Finger picks?

[NormanKliman]

Fingers all the way. I played acoustic and some electric with a pick into my early 20s and have been going at it with fingers since then. I keep my nails pretty short: just enough to graze the string.

I used to be elitist about it, thinking that using a pick was inferior, and I still prefer fingers most of the time, but I've come to realize they're practically two different instruments. Big hands can't do the same things on a narrow neck (double arpeggios, etc.)

[AVWIII]

I went fingers only in my early 20s and never really looked back. I'll play bass with a pick if the part feels like it needs it, but I never pick with acoustic of electric.

[Godfather]

Even though I have been on this journey for 9 years (when time permitted) I have not graduated to bare fingers yet....and the key word is "yet".

One day, when I feel I am proficient enough with a pick, I will start the transition to fingers.

[Rosewood99]

Both. I like variety.

[brencat]

Wow I'm like 98% a pick player. Had no idea I was in such a small minority here!

[reeve21]

I was a pick only player before I joined the AGF.

Something in the water here turned me into a wannabee fingerpicker

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by rstaight

I was taught with a pick so I am a flatpicker at heart. But the last couple years I have been attempting finger picking and I am about 50-50....

It is the reverse for me.
I thought flat picking was very limited until a few years ago when I discovered back picking could make it as rich and versatile as finger picking. Now its 50-50.

[Dru Edwards]

I use both. Nearly every time I pick up the guitar I'll fingerpick something, flatpick something, and strum something (with a pick). These days I use a pick more though.

[jaymarsch]

It is probably a 90/10 equation for me as I am still such a newbie at using a flat pick. I like the sound of strumming with my fingers and thumb. More relaxing but sometimes I want to extra tone that a pick can bring out of a good guitar.

Best,
Jayne

[Bill R]

While I do use a thumb pick, I play mostly finger style. I'm a lousy strummer

Bill

[BluesKing777]

Solo bare finger guitarist here - haven't touched a pick this century!

I'm surprised at the poll so far. I thought I was in the minority.

Guess not.


BluesKing777.

[deg123]

Since I've started playing again over the last few months I'm finger picking about 90% of the time (with bare thumb/fingers). I've never used them but like the thought of playing with thumb/ finger picks due the extra volume, but I'm pretty lazy and probably wouldn't be bothered putting them on every time I lifted the guitar for a quick tune.

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by Bill R

While I do use a thumb pick, I play mostly finger style. I'm a lousy strummer ...

When I use a flat pick, I don't strum. Back picking sounds a lot like finger picking.

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by deg123

... I'm finger picking about 90% of the time (with bare thumb/fingers). I've never used them but like the thought of playing with thumb/ finger picks due the extra volume, but I'm pretty lazy and probably wouldn't be bothered putting...

A thumb pick works for those who have not developed a cocked and calloused thumb. Finger picks limit the use of the fingers.