It Is BEST to
Learn Using Plastic Finger Picks
As
I have explained in the above articles (if you haven't read them yet, you ought
to now) it is BEST when first beginning finger picking to learn while
using plastic finger picks. Here is a summery of some of the reasons; Generally
speaking, the crispness, clarity and volume of plastic finger picks
will be preferred over the bare fingers and nails. Also, using finger
picks will have a natural way of bringing to your attention areas in your
technique where you need to improve. You need to realize though, that
there is the matter of - you have to get use to using them.
Plastic finger picks feel awkward at first. Wearing them may make you
feel "clumsy" in your attempt at finger picking. It takes time,
work and determination to overcome those initial feelings. But it can be
done! As I explained, most people don't give it the necessary time and
effort required to do it. They don't have that desire to work at it and
they give up quickly. So if you learn to finger pick using plastic picks
you will have already reached out far ahead of those other guys (or girls) that
didn't give it that necessary effort. Also, as I said before, for those
who do master this art, the end result is a better guitarist that has more
variation in their music and therefore a more overall appealing sound.
I
remember while in college I went to a coffee house (common in the 70's) to hear
some folk singers and guitar music. There was a guy there (can't remember
his name) that played "The Boxer" by Paul Simon on a 12 string Martin
D35. He was outstanding at picking and strumming while using finger
picks. He would change from finger picking to strumming and back again to
finger picking, without missing a note and blending the two with smooth
transitions in-between, and he did it with outstanding skill. That performance
simply blew me away. I've forgotten his name, but I have never forgotten
his guitar playing. I was convinced right then and there that I needed
to learn to play like that. Experiences like that helped me. It
had such a profound and powerful influence on me that I went out and bought a
Martin D35. (I still have that guitar to this day) Hearing him
helped me to have the desire necessary to learn to finger pick. I made up
my mind that night, right then and there that nothing was going to stop me from
learning. I wish I could just give that determination to you!
I wish I could just click my fingers and ...WHAMMOOO...you got it! Unfortunately
it just doesn't work like that. The best I can
hope for is to write you these things and hope that you get the point of what
I'm trying to tell you.
As a final note of
encouragement to you - Ive been using plastic finger picks since the early
70's. At first, it was awkward for me too. I was able to get over
those initial feels of using plastic finger picks and for the most part, now I
prefer to have them on. I guess thats obvious!
I was able to do it and I did it without the help of any web site... free or
otherwise! The internet didn't exist. Can you imagine no internet?
Anyway, if I could do it without that help, I know you can do it too.
Especially will you be able to with my help on this site! But AGAIN - to
do it you will have to have that desire to do it. That's what I
had. I had a lot of desire! I also had determination and discipline! You have to want to learn to finger
pick using plastic finger picks. I hope that some of the things I
have told you will help you want to do it too. Be determined, and disciplined to give it
your best. Please do!!!