# guitar playing using finger picks?

Category: Jam Session

## Post 1 by bermuda-triangulese (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Sunday, 29-Oct-2006 19:54:42

Hay all. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this type of playing. I've heard it used and love the sound that results. I'm proficient with a thumb pick and love it so decided to get hold of a few finger picks and try it out, the metal ones, as they seem to react better. Problem is, I get some really weird sound and not sure if my hand angles are correct or if I'm doing something wrong. Anyone out there have a clue about this, or fancy a get-together on skype for a bit of an explanation with guitars? I'd be greatful!
MJ

## Post 2 by guitargod1 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Sunday, 29-Oct-2006 21:04:58

Actually, acrylic nails work better if you don't feel like growing yours out. I've used finger pics a couple times but actually just do fingerstyle with my fingers as I have my nails as short as possible now. You can't really play flamanko that way but I'm not Paco Dalucia in the first place. haha. I wish!
hehehe. The material used and the gage of the finger pics will account for a lot of the sound. However, the angle has to be correct. Just like when using a pick in a more conventional rock guitar fashion. Paralell to the strings and going over the top sort of at a fourty five degree angle approximetly. You don't want to go perpendicular, that will give you a rough scratchy sound and the pic attack blows that way. try getting nylon ones. The metal pics will give you a more brittle sound, more top end frequency response due to the metal.

## Post 3 by bermuda-triangulese (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Monday, 30-Oct-2006 6:56:38

ah right? Cool. I've heard the hand angle to be something like the heal of the hand placed directly onto the body of the guitar but I can't seem to get this to work. ANy other advice?

## Post 4 by guitargod1 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 30-Oct-2006 9:29:08

It'd really help you to buy a fingerstyle guitar dvd, or, even better, get a lesson or two with a fingerstyle player face to face. Because they can actually show you the correct playing technique and correct you etc.