Picks or nails?

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Fingerstyle guitar

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A group for you who don't like the flatpick, and enjoy the finger picking of Merle Travis, John Hurt, Gary Davies and so on

59 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: janolov (owner)

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From Jim Yates on 2/8/2011 12:39:52 PM

I use picks for 3-finger banjo, but prefer nails for guitar. Because my nails are so weak, I get a gel coating on my index, bird and ring fingernails at the local nail salon. Since I've been going there for about 10 years or more, they know exactly how I like thme and do a great job. I'm now getting artheritis in my thumbs and may have to start using a thumb-pick to get the volume I need.

3 Comments
	SLKmartin says: 2/9/2011 8:29:57 PM Hello Jim. and everyone, i like flesh and nails for finger picking.I think i can get more tone that way. The one exception is Travis or Elizibeth Cotton style, I like thumb and two national finger(metal)picks.
	Stringnut says: 3/13/2011 7:09:54 AM Jim - I use fingernails, thumb, index, middle and ring. I use a thumb pick sometimes but I've always been most comfortable without it. It really forces my wrist angle and technique to change when I pick. I am lucky that I have very thick, tough nails. I've never been able to use finger picks on my flattop. But I do use them to play pedal steel and dobro. Just Thumb, index and middle on these instruments. I only use a flat pick when playing mandolin. Dan
	mswhat298 says: 3/15/2011 1:49:57 PM I am more comfortable with just nails but have been really trying to use a thumbpick. I like the way it sounds on the strings but it is a bit awkward to me. Depends on what I'm playing I guess but lately I've not been using a pick at all.
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