Two fingers or one thumb pick
-
Hi Emil. I'm really enjoying the right hand technique and the dexterity it is teaching me. It is helping with playing some of my other repertoire too. I always use a thumb pick as you sometimes do. On these fast runs I often wonder if I should just do alternate picking with the thumb pick or two fingers like in the lessons. Are there pros and cons to each method?
-
@rojonis
Hi there!!
So glad you like the lesson "Right Hand Technique! It's a useful lesson, and it was interesting for me to study my own right hand when making the lesson, haha! I found out why I was playing in that way.I'm always careful when it comes to give people too much advice on what NOT to do when it comes to technique - because what I've learned over the years is that there are no wrong ways... Everyone finds their own way to play things, and the best way is YOUR way, if it works for you. With that in mind, I can tell you from my personal view, that I like to mainly use my index finger and thumb, alternating between those.. but I also use my middle finger from time to time, especially when "jumping strings", playing rolls, triplets over 3 strings etc.
Brent Mason is one of the greatest players ever, and he's using thumb pick and index + middle finger. It seems like he has no limits when it comes to play something fast :) He's also using a lot of pull offs and slides. My main influence, Jim Nichols, is playing kind of like me. (Or.. I should say... I'm playing like him!! :) ) We're using thumb pick and index finger for 90% of the single lines.
For speed when it comes to single lines, I'd say a regular pick is the best choice, but speed is definitely not everything :)I suggest you to try the different techniques for a month or so, and then choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Don't use a certain technique because someone else does, because it doesn't necessarily mean that that specific technique works for you - we're all different.
Have a wonderful day and let me know if you have any more questions!
Kind regards/Emil -
@emilernebro
Hi Emil and thank you for your reply. You have encouraged me to listen and watch how other players do it which is great advice. I an enjoying this lesson and practicing the runs daily. Perhaps after a while a "new" style will emerge from my fingers! Thank you.
