I have a question for everybody, but first some background. I'm brand new to playing guitar and I find using a pick really awkward so I've been practicing playing without one. I pluck notes with my thumb and I'm able to play songs like Pipeline and Walk Don't Run well. (considering my skill level) I find it a lot easier than playing with a pick, with the exception of when I (try) to play stuff like Miserlou. My question is this: Am I developing a bad habit by learning to play without a pick? I use one when I try to tremolo pick, but not for anything else. I'm wondering if I need to get used to using the pick or if I can just continue on with what is comfortable to me. Any advice is appreciated!
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »
Am I developing a bad habit?
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Joined: Nov 04, 2007 Posts: 4 |
Posted on Nov 05 2007 12:23 PM
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Joined: Jun 17, 2006 Posts: 1010 Bay City, Michigan 
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 12:27 PM
I would say go for what feels right, but you should try to get used to the pick anyways, because there are just some stuff you can't play with your fingers. try a good ole' fashioned rock n' roll downstrumming solo with your thumb, it'll sound really dull, and if you use heavy strings you run the risk of splittling your tumb open. at least your playing with your nail, right? — |
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Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728 
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 12:40 PM
This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 15:21:09 |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25540 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 12:53 PM
Get a thumb pick as used in Banjo playing. Jeff(bigtikidude) —Jeff(bigtikidude) |
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Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 01:00 PM
This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 15:22:23 |
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Joined: Nov 04, 2007 Posts: 4 |
Posted on Nov 05 2007 01:19 PM
I guess my main problem with using a pick is that, without looking, I don't know always know where it's at relative to the strings like I do when I strum with my thumb. This results in me plucking the wrong strings a lot. I'll start practicing with it exclusively until it feels more natural. I'll also try a thumb pick and see how I like that. I really appreciate the responses! |
Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 01:49 PM
I started as a kid taking lessons from a folk teacher she taught me travis picking and all that stuff. I was learning rock by myself at home with a pick... I am SO glad I know both... I agree with Zak, and anyone who said learn the pick too! Then you will learn how to "palm" a pick without even thinking. (thats holding your pick in your palm or in the fingjoint while you use your fingers. Then there is hybred picking that uses unused fingers while you pick. I will pull a string out and snap it in the middle of a run just to add a differnt attack... experiement. —THe NEpTuNeS |
Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2682 Ventura, CA
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 02:23 PM
Of course there are tons of classical players that don't use picks and can get a rapid double picking sound by alternating fingers. Listen to Tarrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra, it has a double picked sound with a melody on top of it. You'll also hear some familiar riffs that found their way into surf music. |
Joined: Feb 01, 2007 Posts: 308 Ellicott City, Maryland |
Posted on Nov 05 2007 02:26 PM
I use to play without pick, but I was playing a different style. Mark Knofler dosen't use a pick. However, most surf guitarists like to double pick, so a pick is essential. Can you double pick without a pick? that would be quite a novelty... |
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Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2682 Ventura, CA
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 02:41 PM
If you're man enough! |
Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 03:33 PM
Just keep at it. Like Zak said, just about everything about playing guitar will be awkward for a while. You'll get the muscle memory down in a while. Its just going to take a ton of practice. Ryan |
Joined: Apr 24, 2006 Posts: 1618 Ithaca, NY
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 03:51 PM
I had this exact same problem for quite a while. The only training I've had in guitar was in folk music, so I did lots of fingerpicking and different naked-handed stuff. When I decided to start playing surf a little over a year ago, it was cripplingly awkward. Flatpicks were just unmanageable to me, which was a real problem because the surf style I like to play personally is particularly heavy on double picking. Using my fingers to double pick on an acoustic sounded passable, but on an electric it's really noticeably dull, so I had to force myself to use a flatpick. It took me a while to get proficient, but now I feel totally comfortable with it. It's no longer an issue. It really just comes down to plain ol' practicing to get to that point. You'll get the hang of it in due time for sure if you just keep trying. |
Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1483 Redlands, CA
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 04:21 PM
I agree with almost everything being said here. I would add. Go get a variety of flatpick pick styles. They are fairly cheap, come in a hundred styles, and perhaps you will find one that works better for you. But by all means don't stop using your fingers. There are MANY types of music that don't require a flatpick to achieve the sound needed. Just starting, is,,,,, just starting. Welcome to SG101!! Joel |
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Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 264 Waco Texas |
Posted on Nov 05 2007 05:39 PM
There is a device available that slips on your thumb that you load your favorite flatpick into effectively turning your flat pick into a thumb pick. A blues rock player up the road in Dallas regularly uses one and does some pretty amazing stuff with it. I used to know the brand name but dont recall right now. I can relate to not knowing string position while using a pick ....went thru that my self. Right now you are using touch to relate where you are string wise. As you develop as a player, sound or note tones will guide as to what string you are on. Dont give up.....practice practice!! —2012-2013: FILTHY POLAROIDS |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 5297 the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Nov 05 2007 07:01 PM
this is where learning a scale and using alternative picking helps. i started with the Am pentatonic scale. play it slow and you will be amazed at your progress in one week. — |
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Joined: Feb 01, 2007 Posts: 308 Ellicott City, Maryland |
Posted on Nov 07 2007 06:09 PM
Sorry Stormtiger, I didn't mean to contradict you. Those classical/Spanish guitarists can double pick with no pick! But, I am not man enough to play like that. |
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Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2682 Ventura, CA
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Posted on Nov 07 2007 06:33 PM
Neither am I but she sure is. I used to watch in amazement when my classical buddies would play that. That has to be one of the most beautiful guitar compositions ever . |
Joined: Jul 23, 2007 Posts: 666 Oz
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Posted on Nov 09 2007 03:50 AM
All styles of playing are right. |
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Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 90 Rochester, NY |
Posted on Nov 11 2007 09:33 PM
I agree with that. I had trouble with using a pick when I started too. After practicing for a couple weeks, I was MUCH better. You just need to take the time to learn picking properly. Just don't shoot for anything too fancy. Start off with some scales, and you'll be fine before you know it. —"Hope is a waking dream." - Aristotle |
Joined: Mar 29, 2007 Posts: 815 Athens, Greece |
Posted on Nov 14 2007 12:55 PM
Here's another version of this song by a man this time. Every word is like an unecessary stain on silence and nothingness. |
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