Thumbpick/Boom-Chick & Classical Fingerstyle Question - Page 2

ryevick · #16 08-17-2018, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel and wood

Not really the same thing.

Chicken picking refers to a staccato effect produced on electric guitar that a lot of country players like the sound of. You don't have to hybrid pick to get the sound but it just so happens that a lot of country guitarists are hybrid pickers. There are lots of non country guitarists use hybrid picking without staccato playing acoustic and/or electric guitars.

I guess I was feeling a bit lazy but that's true. Although I've personally never seen someone playing in a chicken pickin' style that wasn't doing it via hybrid picking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikewer

I went to nylon because steel strings just eat my fingernails, and I find that I produce no sound at all on a steel string with just the flesh. So when I want to play steel... I flatpick.

You might want to try using press on nails for steel string. It is not at all considered a feminine thing with regard to guitar. They can be shaped and a lot of guitarist use them (Steve Stevens comes to mind). I will most likely be using them down the road.

You could also try changing the type of strings you're using to a brighter string. Maybe try an 80/20 Bronze.

ryevick · #17 08-17-2018, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jklotz

I think that Tommy Emmanual course would be an excellent place to start. I really enjoy watching him play, he's just so fluid with it.

If I were starting again, I'd force myself to learn to use a thumbpick. Seems like all the guys who are really good at that Travis/Chet thing use them. I use a pick and my fingers (hybrid picking), as my main thing is electric country "chickin' pickin'", and I spent so long learning and practicing that style that it's the only thing that feels natural.

I am excited about getting into that course. I won't have the time to start until next week. I agree though, the thumbpick (which I use to never consider), is the way to go for what I'm wanting to do. If you learn with the thumbpick, you can always take it off and use what you've learned without it but if you never learn with it one... Well I just think it would be naive to think you could just throw one on and play that style.

ryevick · #18 08-17-2018, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikewer

I fool around with banjo and lap steel too, and I use plastic finger and thumb picks for that.

I completely forgot banjo in the poll!

rmgjsps · #19 08-17-2018, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryevick

Yeah, I meant to put in the poll 'Chicken Pickin'/Hybrid Picking'. They're the same thing really but a lot of people don't know or have never heard the term Chicken Pickin'.

I was about to post a question here about what the heck is "Chicken Pickin" but now I know! Thanks for your post.

ryevick · #20 08-17-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmgjsps

I was about to post a question here about what the heck is "Chicken Pickin" but now I know! Thanks for your post.

You're very welcome! I do find it very interesting that this hugely popular and discussed style of playing is not know by some people that you think would know. Anyone in Nashville is aware of it but I was in a nice guitar shop which I won't name and I just happened to mention it within a conversation and this guy having never heard of it laughed and immediately thought I was a little off. I told him to look into it but again it's a shame people even inside the guitar industry don't know this.

I feel obliged to say that this is a style I want to learn after I grasp more of what I previously mentioned. I don't know how to play it... I just love it

My insufficient words don't really convey it's meaning though. Take a look at this.

DanleyJ · #21 08-17-2018, 11:06 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4i5T00RxwQ

Thom Bresh is the son of Merle Travis (Travis Picking). This guy is referred to as a "thumb picker" as is Chet, Tommy and Jerry Reed. It ain't classical and it ain't chicken pickin but it sure is fun. I've been working on this one for the past week and am getting it down pretty good. Generally I don't use a thumb pick but have been working feverishly to develop a proficiency with the thumb pick lately as I need to expand my guitar experience. I believe this video is from a Home Spun DVD and I plan on picking it up so I can learn more from this man. Love his style, his story telling and he's my kind of teacher. Nothing fancy, just kinda play it this way sort of approach and maybe incorporate some of your own stuff if it doesn't quite work for you. Thom is very relaxed. He's a bit older now since this recording but he has a lot out there on YouTube.

ryevick · #22 08-17-2018, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanleyJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4i5T00RxwQ

Thom Bresh is the son of Merle Travis (Travis Picking). This guy is referred to as a "thumb picker" as is Chet, Tommy and Jerry Reed. It ain't classical and it ain't chicken pickin but it sure is fun. I've been working on this one for the past week and am getting it down pretty good. Generally I don't use a thumb pick but have been working feverishly to develop a proficiency with the thumb pick lately as I need to expand my guitar experience. I believe this video is from a Home Spun DVD and I plan on picking it up so I can learn more from this man. Love his style, his story telling and he's my kind of teacher. Nothing fancy, just kinda play it this way sort of approach and maybe incorporate some of your own stuff if it doesn't quite work for you. Thom is very relaxed. He's a bit older now since this recording but he has a lot out there on YouTube.

Oh man, thank you so much for sharing that! I just added that to my guitar lessons list. I'll be focusing on the lesson from Tommy but I'll be working on that soon enough. Love it!

There are so many styles of guitar I want to tackle. Gypsy Jazz is one I haven't mentioned that is on the list. I just wish I would have been where I am now as far as drive and desire when I was 15 or 16. That whole time thing SUCKS!

DanleyJ · #23 08-17-2018, 11:57 AM

One more for you ryevick. This is chicken pickin/hybrid at its best. Brent Mason and friends:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOiD2v6qvhI

Everton FC · #24 08-17-2018, 12:00 PM

I have tried many times to master a thumb pick. All in vain.

Alas... It's flesh on steel, for me.

ryevick · #25 08-17-2018, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanleyJ

One more for you ryevick. This is chicken pickin/hybrid at its best. Brent Mason and friends:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOiD2v6qvhI

Good stuff, good stuff... I loved the facial expressions of the drummer during the guitar solos (drums are my first instrument), I was digging the lap steel too. Suprised to see nylon in there and to see Brent forget to loop his cord through his strap and step on it... Shame!

ryevick · #26 08-17-2018, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everton FC

I have tried many times to master a thumb pick. All in vain.

Alas... It's flesh on steel, for me.

I am a firm believer that the result of EVERYTHING we ever do in this life is boiled down to this...

Timing + Approach = Outcome

Adjust as needed

maybe give that course from Tommy a shot.

Everton FC · #27 08-17-2018, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryevick

I am a firm believer that the result of EVERYTHING we ever do in this life is boiled down to this...

Timing + Approach = Outcome

Adjust as needed

maybe give that course from Tommy a shot.

"Never surrender". Agreed!

Time is an issue for me. Wife, four kids... The online courses are good for a person like me, with limited time...

Gobo · #28 08-17-2018, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everton FC

I have tried many times to master a thumb pick. All in vain.

Alas... It's flesh on steel, for me.

Pick (no pun intended) a weekend with some t.v you like and just sit in front of it and go through your repertoire wearing a thumb pick and try and forget it's there. Honestly it happens in one instant, you just have to be prepared to be a bull in a china shop where bass notes are concerned before you learn to finesse with it.

It's not a gradual process, one minute you sound uneven and then BLAM! you're sounding slick and crisp in the bass department.

ryevick · #29 08-17-2018, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everton FC

"Never surrender". Agreed!

Time is an issue for me. Wife, four kids... The online courses are good for a person like me, with limited time...

The 50% off sale at TrueFire I bought is only good through this month. I just checked and TrueFire have set up a personal referral link for me so we both get something no matter when you use it. Give it a shot! There's a free trial period of I believe 30 days. It's really the best path I think.

Five Fourths · #30 08-17-2018, 01:55 PM

Just a thought to consider...

When you add the thumb pick and/or finger picks, you move away from classical technique in that the motions are different, and feel different. Transitioning between steel string and nylon will be easier--at least in the beginning--if no picks are used.

I use classical-style finger flesh and nails on both, but I am in my first year. Picks screw me up--currently.

FF

View Poll Results: What Types Of Fingerstyle Playing Do You Do Most?
I Don't, I Just Use A Pick	5	4.76%
Just My Fingers On Steel String	62	59.05%
Thumbpick & Fingers On Steel String	27	25.71%
Thumbpick & Fingerpicks On Steel String	13	12.38%
Lap Steel	1	0.95%
Chicken Pickin'	4	3.81%
Classical	15	14.29%
Flamenco	0	0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 105. You may not vote on this poll