any flat pickers here?

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 17 Jun 2004 7:29 am

That's somethin I've always wanted to be able to do, but just don't have the talent I reckon. I've been playin 6 string for over 30 yrs, but never could get very good at flat pickin. If the steel guitar didn't take up so much of my time, I'd buy me a flat pickin course.

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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 17 Jun 2004 9:59 am

Hey Terry,
Don't get sucked in by the flatpicking hype. It ain't all it's cracked up to be. The best session man Nashville ever had is Brent Mason who plays with a Thumbpick and fake fingernails. Then there's Chet and Jerry Reed, Lenny Breau, Paul Yandell, and many more. I've always played guitar with my thumbpick and fingerpicks and made a dang good living at full time for over 22 years. I think you just ought to concentrate on the pickin' techniques you already have and transfer them to the guitar. In bluegrass and old timey music there's Eddie Adcock who plays with a thumbpick and fingerpicks and keeps up with any of 'em. Just work on some licks and scales and I think you'll find out that you'll actually be able to play more stuff than a flatpicker can with your picks. All it takes is some practice and daring to be different. I just didn't know any better when I started and it worked out fine. A fun thing to do is ask a flatpicker to play something you can't do with your picks and then you play something he can't do with his flatpick and you'll find out that the 3 picks rule....JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 17 Jun 2004 10:31 am

There's also Wayne Henderson, who consistently win's the Galax, Va. contest playing with a thumbpick and fingerpicks. Builds some fine flat-tops, too!
And if you want to talk bluegrass rhythm guitar, go back and listen to Lester Flatt, Charlie Monroe, or any of the pioneers. All of 'em played with a thumbpick and one fingerpick.
All that being said, Dan Crary, Tony Rice, Clarence White, Jeff White, Mike Cosgrove, Bull Harman,etc., etc., can't be wrong! Do what feels best, and sounds best, for you--shoot, try both! A Telecaster sounds right when the strings are poppimg off the fingerboard, but I can't play 32nd note-three octave scales with anything but a flatpick!

Charles French · Post by **Charles French** » 17 Jun 2004 10:36 am

Golly and all this time I thought flat picking referred to the technique and not the use of a pick.

I'm jes plumb ignert.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 17 Jun 2004 11:20 am

I never cared for the flat-pick concept - TWO digits tied up just holding the thing!

I play acoustic and electric with thumb and three fingers with no thumb-pick - there's a lot more available to me than if I had to hold a pick.

One of the biggest hurdles for me when I began playing steel in the '70s was having to wear picks - I can play steel without them, but those string-gauges give me blisters!

RR

Dave Burr · Post by **Dave Burr** » 17 Jun 2004 11:33 am

I don't think that Bryan Sutton misses any notes with just a flat pick. Of course, not many can play like Bryan. Incidentally, alot of flat pickers use their middle and ring finger as well as the flat pick. I've seen Bryan Sutton use this technique many times.

Respectfully,
Dave Burr[This message was edited by Dave Burr on 17 June 2004 at 12:34 PM.]

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 17 Jun 2004 12:50 pm

Yes, Dave - as does Albert Lee among others - but I can articulate four-note chords (even five if I use my little finger). I've always preferred the sound of a picked chord rather than a strummed one.

There are many luminaries who ONLY played with a pick, so this is a very subjective matter - I was only stating how I choose to play; I didn't actually expect anyone to care!

RR

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 17 Jun 2004 7:13 pm

Yep.

1960 Martin D-21.

Flatiron (pre gibson Boseman Montana) F5 mandolin.

fingerpickin's fer banjers and steels!

t

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 18 Jun 2004 3:01 am

I`m with you Terry, here is one of the best. http://staatsandshafer.com/

Hook

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HookMoore.com

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 18 Jun 2004 7:42 am

I've always liked the flatpickin sound. never cared much for Chet Atkins, not takin anything away from a great guitar player, but I like the sound of a good acoustic through a mic. I ordered a course by Tony Rice long time ago, after piddlin with it for a week or so, I took it back to the music store got my money back. ain't no way I'd ever learn to pick that way.

I also like the pick and finger style. I think Glenn Camble picks like that. I love that kinda pickin to.

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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.

[This message was edited by Terry Sneed on 18 June 2004 at 10:55 AM.]