Oh my goodness, this is gold!! Professional musician who's been playing guitar for years without a pick and I thought my only hope to be able to play rock was having to learn how to use a damn pick. This technique gives me HOPE!! You sound amazingly way better than people with picks. Thank you so much for sharing!!
I hate picks! I have to “master” some tremolo techniques on the classical guitar. Then get back to my pop/rock/jazz music using the main elements of your advice. You totally rock Steve! 🤩👏👏👏
THANK YOU. I've been playing for decades off and on. I have lost the ability to hold a pick and have bad shakes, due to multiple injuries that have left me with strumming and picking with my thumb and fingers. It's very frustrating trying to strum with a pick due to the loss of coordination and losing the pick frequently. I have been looking for alternative ways to modify my ability to pick ad strum with my hand and this video showed me I don't have to be frustrated by not being able to use a pick to play. I have developed methods to achieve the sounds I want but wanted to see a pro play without a pick as his primary method and you showed me I can achieve a great deal without a pick and likely play a lot better without it. I'm self-taught play by ear and likely at an intermediate level but was much better years ago when I played all the time. Due to the many injuries, I have lost a lot of ability and dexterity, etc. Thank You For Giving Me Hope and methods to practice. I really appreciate it. Great Video.
Hi Steve, thanks for checking out my videos. I wish you the best of luck with your playing and hope you find a route through your own particular problems. Best of luck - Steve
Really impressed! I never really got the hang of the pick on guitar, mainly play fingerstyle on an acoustic, but this has opened a whole new world to me for the electric guitar! Im still blown away by that tremolo technique of yours! Definitely a pioneering teacher as far as I can see! You don't just regurgitate the same old same old, you base everything on solid experience/trial and error. Subscribed!
Very impressive. I kinda of quit guitar after about ten years because the picking hand could just never keep up with the left or apply the same expression. I switched to bass and took to it instantly with nothing but my fingers on the strings. I'm now back with my guitar trying to learn to use my fingers and this video is a real eye opener to the possibility. I've already noticed that my fretting technique has improved as my I can relax and not have to think about where that bloody pick is going! I've a long way to go with finding a good tone on the thinner strings but you're an inspiration, thanks.
I am a self taught beginner playing guitar, I'm getting close to the one year mark since I first started playing and wanted to finally delve into what I've really always wanted to play after building at least some beginner chops. This is easily the most inspiring thing I've seen yet, I almost thought I wouldn't be able to play rock without relearning everything again and starting with a pick. This video was a great insight into the technique and I'm excited to get back to learning with the confidence that with enough effort Ill be able to play how I'm most comfortable!
I've been working at developing fingerstyle rock playing for a couple years now, but was kinda flying blindly so far. This is some good inspiration to work with thanks :)
This is great. I'm a bass player who is now picking up electric guitar. One of the things that always kept me on bass was I loved the feel of the strings in my hand, so with guitar I just decided to hell with it and I'm going to simply not use a pick. This video helped a lot with some things I was curious about.
I am a bassist and have always played finger style picks just don't work for me. I always get discouraged whenever I pick up my guitar to try and learn because I am so bad at picking. There are so few people out there who do this on electric and it is awesome to see it do so well. I may have to give six strings another go and practice the finger style on the tiny strings.
This is a fascinating tutorial. Very useful for me. It would be helpful to see a close-up shot of your right hand fingers to see how your index fingernail is shaped (and used) to do the picking. I'm converting my playing technique to more fingerpicking for blues playing and your tutorial is spot on. A follow-up video would be greatly appreciated!
Hi and thanks a lot, I'm glad it was useful for you. I'll see what I can put together as a follow up video. I don't really do too much with my fingernail itself. I keep them about as long as I would for playing the Classical guitar.
Iam an economy picker but i also played classical guitar in my younger years so i can play with fingers too.... a good combo for someone to have the best of both worlds(hybrid picking) would be to practice exactly as you point out in your videos but incorporate the pinky as the third finger and the role of the thumb ll be assigned to the actual pick(that the index and thumb are holding).So you sacrifice your index to help you hold the pick but bring the pinky to the mix when you need to tremolo pick between them.... That way someone can easily utilise the pick attack when its needed and play conventionally while on the fly he can easily switch to pick and fingers without any movement from the right hand(like leaving the pick or fold it in his index thumb like many people do). All in all thats a great way to pick regardless, especially when it comes to acoustic guitars.Great videos.
the index fingernail as a pick is my style too. Less pick 'attack' to be sure but just turn the volume up 2 levels and you are good to go. Nice video, thanks
Steve, thanks so much for your video!! I am a classically trained guitarist for 20 years, recently got into electric guitars and rock. I am learning to use a pick since all rock tutorials are with picks. I can play most of the rock solos with my fingers. With the pick is so frustrating since I am a pick beginner, I feel like 9 years old again trying to learn fingerpicking. I think knowing both techniques is useful. Struggling with pinch harmonics fingerpicking and with pick, thanks again for the inspirational video, you have amazing talent and skills, subscribed!!🤟
Thanks a lot! Yes it's definitely a good idea to have a reasonable level of skill with both techniques (fingers or pick) then you can decide which you want to specialise in.
This was a really interesting video for me. I just discovered it. I too learned classical for 2 years before being allowed to pick up an electric guitar so I never got my head round picks. All this stuff that you're doing I learned by myself over the 6 or 7 years after I first got an electric guitar. I've had some years off and am returning to the instrument again and all this stuff reflects the instinctive way I learned to play by myself as there was nobody to give me tips. Thanks for making it easier for people like me so they don't have to spend years sucking until they find their own way of doing it.
I've never found a really sucessful left hand technique beyond that one. There is this, it's not really palm muting though ua-cam.com/video/4HkVNoZTdbc/v-deo.html
GREAT I also play rock/country with fingerstyle. Never liked picks. Always lose them. Too messy. Fingerstyle means my fingers are always in the right place.
Really interesting video man! I also use fingerpicking a lot, but I tend to go for a pick when playing rock since I can easily force harmonics with it and I do a lot of stuff where I rely on the pronounced attack of a pick.
Hey great video! Let me ask you a question? I spend years only as a classical guitarist, now coming back to guitar i wanted to incorporate my pickless playstyle to the electric guitar. When doing the "index finger imitating a pick" technique, doesnt your index nail break and tear off overtime? I can do that technique pretty well, i'm just not shure that my nail is going to hold on for too long before breaking.
It occasionally happens, but not often and when it does I can pretty much do the same thing with my middle finger nail too. Typically if I'm playing multiple gigs a week, back to back then I'd use a simple nail strengthener cream, but it's not a regular thing.
I love this so much! I play classical guitar and I find it difficult manipulating a pick - my question is how do you keep your index fingernail from breaking when using it as a pseudo-pick? Thanks!
***** Thanks Ben! I've been meaning to do a follow up to this video. Anyway, It might sound like a bit of a cop-out, but I rarely have a problem. I'm much more likely to break them during set up (frustratingly) than I am when I play. If I break one before hand it depends on my mood, sometimes its fun to just get rid of them as Jeff Beck does. Other times I reshape them. When it has happened mid-song I've switched to using my middle finger instead of index. A possible bigger issue if you gig a lot (multiple times a week) is that they will wear down. I find mine can easily sustain an hour or so's practice a day, but if you're hitting the guitar hard in a gig and sweating a lot, then they can take a beating. I have considered experimenting with fibreglass ala John Butler, but its not something I've followed up on yet.
Simple fact is, some people have tougher nails than others. Mine are like brick walls, so I don't break them but I can see how this would hamper playing for many many people on unwound metal strings.
Awesome. I play with pick but I am thinking of trying fingers because it seems more instinctive and so easier. How would you play the up strokes with distortion when you have to play for example only the 3 upper strings (tonic, 5th and octave)? I know many people plays mostly with down strokes (i.e., higway to hell, back in black, holy diver from Dio,...), but I like to do it with combined up and down runs. The problem I find is that, in the up stroke, the index finger "attacks" the strings with the fingertip, not the nail, and obviously the sound is much duller than in the down stroke.
Hi there! I'm guessing you're talking about the approach of using your index finger as a pick? Actually I've found the opposite problem, if my finger nails are very short - though with a bit of experimentation you can work around it. On downstrokes I'll hit the string with my nail first, it then rolls off onto my fingertip and that risks muting the string (or even creating a squealy!). With upstrokes I hit the string with my fingertip, the string rolls off onto the nail and that gives it a bit of a "click" and attack. With that technique I do best if I have a bit more of a nail on the finger - it doesn't have to be that long, but with a bit of experimentation I can find the right length to get the tone I'm looking for with both up and downstrokes.
You are right, I Have been playin for a while after my first post and I guess I could get used to the upstrokes with the finger tip (I suppose that it takes a time to get a good feel after playing a few years with the pick...), and also I found this squealing problem mostly when the strings are tighter (soloing in high part of the fretboard), (for a moment I thought I became a master in artificial harmonics, which I am still learning to do...). I am not sure If I will change the pick technique for the finger playing... I am concerned it would be like going back in my progression and having to start to learn all new mechanisms..... Whats your opinion as a teacher? Thanks for your time.
So this is going to be one of those "it depends" type answers. Particularly in the early stages, it's worth building a breadth of knowledge and skills, these all support each other and form a foundation that develops into something of real substance. As you get much better these benefits reduce and you get less crossover. As you get more advanced you have to specialise because you just don't have the time to support development in so many directions. Have you seen this? I talk about why I ended up specialising in fingerstyle here, which might give you some insight. ua-cam.com/video/1pflHgbsrFI/v-deo.html
Thank you! You have just motivated me to keep playing and practicing without any significant changes to my personal technique! I was wondering if I would need to switch to the use of picks in order to get a "clean" sound on faster solos and phrases... you heve just showed that NO. Aside from disliking picks, I have another annoying feature... I simply can't stand the feeling of when I play an upstroke with my nail. It hits my nerves in a shocking way, I just can't use that technique. Any suggestions on how to "build" from that?
+Luís Filipe de Souza Gomes Thanks Luis! Interesting problem, it's not something I've encountered before. I assume you're talking about the upstroke when using your index finger as a pick? For me it doesn't feel a lot different to a normal finger picking movement you just have your thumb against your index finger at the time - Sorry I can't be more help.
+SixStringsAttachedTV don't worry, you have already helped me a lot! If you look up videos from brazilian classical guitarist Paulinho Nogueira maybe you'll be able to see what I'm talking about. He didn't usually attack the strings using his nails, but with the meaty portion of his fingers below them. I don't know if it is a coincidence, but I've always felt that he sounded somewhat smoother than the others. In my case I will be looking to develop my current technique, which is closely related to Nogueira's into something that I can manage to play faster in a controlled way like you do. I'm looking up to adapt the exercises you provided on the other video to my style
+Luís Filipe de Souza Gomes Ah! yes now I think I understand you. Yes I do the same. The fleshy part of my finger is in contact with the string to start with and as I move my finger the string rolls of and hits the nail. I talk about it in this video when I talk about how I create my tone. ua-cam.com/video/ojkMvAowjkA/v-deo.html
How do you maintain your nails on steel strings? I use nails and a thumb pick for nylon strings and when I play electric it just eats the nails down so I have to revert back to a flat pick. I know a lot of guitarists use acrylic nails but I've never been a fan of it, I'd rather use my real ones. Fabulous technique you have as well.
Hello Steve, Amazing video! Question - Is it advised to have nails on the right hand for sharper sound while playing this style? If yes, how would you do clean rhythm on open chords with large nails. And if you suggest we don't need nails, then what way can we play power chords ?
Typically I have nails, though occasionally I'll get rid of them just to give me a different tone. This video covers the typical approaches I use in strumming... ua-cam.com/video/Bs0TWgVH-zg/v-deo.html Does that help you?
BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I´m transitioning from bass to guitar and i already love you lol you will hellpe me a lot. Dude i have problem with the spacing between the strings i play a strat. the problem is the guitar ow i need to train. there is any tips?
I was curious if heavy rhythm playing can be done without a pick? Not heavy in sound, but heavy in meter and strums. Perfect example: the beginning of Pinball Wizard.
Hi there, thanks for the question. That's a good subject for a future video! When I'm playing like that I tend to draw on Flamenco strumming techniques (Rasgueado). The thing to be aware of is that if you're playing an acoustic with heavy gauge strings, hard the whole evening then your nails will take a beating. Not a problem if you do one off shows, but will develop into one if you're playing like that night after night. I know people like John Butler use acrylic or fibreglass coatings on their nails to strengthen them, but it's not something I've needed to experiment with. There's a great example of him playing like that here... ua-cam.com/video/6VAkOhXIsI0/v-deo.html On the electric, with lighter gauge strings it's less of a problem. If you're using distortion and playing power cords, palm muting etc. its even less of a problem.
At 1:58 I'm doing that, just my mimicking holding a pick. The other think you can do is to slap the string with your finger on the same spot as you'd normally touch the string to make a harmonic. Finally you can fret a note as normal with your left hand then touch 12, 7 or 5 frets above the fretted note with the index finger of your right hand, and pick the string with your thumb.
Excuse me,but,I want to play Slahs and Metallica songs,i just wanted to ask you,are these all tehnicques to play el. guitar fingerstyle,from description,and for how long have you been learning this stle of playing and how time did you spend daily on practicing,pls respond,cheers ;)
Hi Kadir, yes I'll use all the techniques listed in the description when playing my electric guitar. I've been playing a long time - I started when I was about 7 or 8 years old - I'm 50 now! From a technique point of view I was probably at my best when I was around 20 or 21. The amount of practice time would vary from day to day. Sometimes I'd play all day, sometimes I wouldn't bother. These days I maybe average an hour a day, depending on what's going on.
That's pretty normal if you're playing major or minor scales. If you are staying on one position then you'll be playing 3 notes per string which naturally implies triplets. 2 things that you can do... (1) Use a metronome, slow it down and play 2 or 4 notes a click, get used to the feel of it until it's completely natural to you. (2) Ascend and descend in groups of 4 notes, instead of just playing up and down the scale (again use a metronome to emphasise the down beat). You'll need to do it for long enough until it's ingrained, so give yourself a few weeks of focused practice to get the feel bedded in.
Do you find any limitations to this at all.? I’ve been thinking of abandoning the pick because as a mainly classical player I’m not used to it and it seems more efficient to use my already developed fingers than try to master two skills
Hi Nathan, I was in the same position which is why I started playing like this. The main limitations I found over the years are.. 1. Volume - you can hit guitar strings harder with a pick than with your fingers. 2. palm muting - as shown I've not found a better way than to copy how I would do it with a pick. 3. nail wear - electric guitar can be tougher on the nails than the classical guitar.
It really only becomes a problem for me when I'm gigging a lot, There's a product called "No 7 Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Care" which I'll occasionally use. It toughens them up without marking them.
+Firman Gultom Thanks I'm glad you found it useful! When you finger pick on the Electric guitar, you have to be much more concerned about string dampening than you do on the acoustic or classical guitar. That forces me to keep the heal of my right hand much closer to the strings than I would normally do. I think covered it somewhat in one of my videos, I'll put a link to it in here when I remember. Otherwise it's all about practice!
Instead of the video being named "Playing Rock Guitar Without a Pick - Fingerpicking Techniques" it would be more correct if it was named "Playing Rock Guitar With Fingernailpicking Techniques"
Oh my goodness, this is gold!! Professional musician who's been playing guitar for years without a pick and I thought my only hope to be able to play rock was having to learn how to use a damn pick. This technique gives me HOPE!! You sound amazingly way better than people with picks. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Thanks Sebastian! I've added a few videos over the years that break these techniques down further, so hopefully they will help you. Good luck with it.
I hate picks! I have to “master” some tremolo techniques on the classical guitar. Then get back to my pop/rock/jazz music using the main elements of your advice. You totally rock Steve! 🤩👏👏👏
THANK YOU. I've been playing for decades off and on. I have lost the ability to hold a pick and have bad shakes, due to multiple injuries that have left me with strumming and picking with my thumb and fingers. It's very frustrating trying to strum with a pick due to the loss of coordination and losing the pick frequently. I have been looking for alternative ways to modify my ability to pick ad strum with my hand and this video showed me I don't have to be frustrated by not being able to use a pick to play. I have developed methods to achieve the sounds I want but wanted to see a pro play without a pick as his primary method and you showed me I can achieve a great deal without a pick and likely play a lot better without it.
I'm self-taught play by ear and likely at an intermediate level but was much better years ago when I played all the time. Due to the many injuries, I have lost a lot of ability and dexterity, etc. Thank You For Giving Me Hope and methods to practice. I really appreciate it. Great Video.
Hi Steve, thanks for checking out my videos. I wish you the best of luck with your playing and hope you find a route through your own particular problems. Best of luck - Steve
This is a superb demonstration of what is possible. Brilliant - this is not normal talent. Thank you.
I play the acoustic guitar and it is pretty interesting to see someone on the electric guitar use a fingerstyle approach to rock music!
Really impressed! I never really got the hang of the pick on guitar, mainly play fingerstyle on an acoustic, but this has opened a whole new world to me for the electric guitar! Im still blown away by that tremolo technique of yours! Definitely a pioneering teacher as far as I can see! You don't just regurgitate the same old same old, you base everything on solid experience/trial and error. Subscribed!
Thanks Derek! I'm glad you're finding my content useful. Good luck with your playing and keep practicing!
This is awesome! I was worried I'd never be able to play electric because I can't use a pick, but you prove everyone wrong! :)
Very impressive. I kinda of quit guitar after about ten years because the picking hand could just never keep up with the left or apply the same expression. I switched to bass and took to it instantly with nothing but my fingers on the strings. I'm now back with my guitar trying to learn to use my fingers and this video is a real eye opener to the possibility. I've already noticed that my fretting technique has improved as my I can relax and not have to think about where that bloody pick is going! I've a long way to go with finding a good tone on the thinner strings but you're an inspiration, thanks.
Thanks Dom! It's great to hear that you've picked up the guitar again! Good luck with it. - Steve
I am a self taught beginner playing guitar, I'm getting close to the one year mark since I first started playing and wanted to finally delve into what I've really always wanted to play after building at least some beginner chops. This is easily the most inspiring thing I've seen yet, I almost thought I wouldn't be able to play rock without relearning everything again and starting with a pick. This video was a great insight into the technique and I'm excited to get back to learning with the confidence that with enough effort Ill be able to play how I'm most comfortable!
I've been working at developing fingerstyle rock playing for a couple years now, but was kinda flying blindly so far. This is some good inspiration to work with thanks :)
Great to hear! Good luck with your playing.
This is great. I'm a bass player who is now picking up electric guitar. One of the things that always kept me on bass was I loved the feel of the strings in my hand, so with guitar I just decided to hell with it and I'm going to simply not use a pick. This video helped a lot with some things I was curious about.
Glad to hear I helped! good luck with your playing.
I am a bassist and have always played finger style picks just don't work for me. I always get discouraged whenever I pick up my guitar to try and learn because I am so bad at picking. There are so few people out there who do this on electric and it is awesome to see it do so well. I may have to give six strings another go and practice the finger style on the tiny strings.
Thanks a lot! I'm glad it inspired you to give fingerpicking another go.
ha! I just left a very similar comment. Awesome
EDIT: oh shoot, there's a bunch of us!
And here I am another pick fail, I prefer to play finger style too.
This is a fascinating tutorial. Very useful for me. It would be helpful to see a close-up shot of your right hand fingers to see how your index fingernail is shaped (and used) to do the picking. I'm converting my playing technique to more fingerpicking for blues playing and your tutorial is spot on. A follow-up video would be greatly appreciated!
Hi and thanks a lot, I'm glad it was useful for you. I'll see what I can put together as a follow up video. I don't really do too much with my fingernail itself. I keep them about as long as I would for playing the Classical guitar.
Iam an economy picker but i also played classical guitar in my younger years so i can play with fingers too.... a good combo for someone to have the best of both worlds(hybrid picking) would be to practice exactly as you point out in your videos but incorporate the pinky as the third finger and the role of the thumb ll be assigned to the actual pick(that the index and thumb are holding).So you sacrifice your index to help you hold the pick but bring the pinky to the mix when you need to tremolo pick between them....
That way someone can easily utilise the pick attack when its needed and play conventionally while on the fly he can easily switch to pick and fingers without any movement from the right hand(like leaving the pick or fold it in his index thumb like many people do).
All in all thats a great way to pick regardless, especially when it comes to acoustic guitars.Great videos.
the index fingernail as a pick is my style too. Less pick 'attack' to be sure but just turn the volume up 2 levels and you are good to go. Nice video, thanks
Steve, thanks so much for your video!! I am a classically trained guitarist for 20 years, recently got into electric guitars and rock. I am learning to use a pick since all rock tutorials are with picks. I can play most of the rock solos with my fingers. With the pick is so frustrating since I am a pick beginner, I feel like 9 years old again trying to learn fingerpicking. I think knowing both techniques is useful. Struggling with pinch harmonics fingerpicking and with pick, thanks again for the inspirational video, you have amazing talent and skills, subscribed!!🤟
Thanks a lot! Yes it's definitely a good idea to have a reasonable level of skill with both techniques (fingers or pick) then you can decide which you want to specialise in.
This was a really interesting video for me. I just discovered it. I too learned classical for 2 years before being allowed to pick up an electric guitar so I never got my head round picks. All this stuff that you're doing I learned by myself over the 6 or 7 years after I first got an electric guitar. I've had some years off and am returning to the instrument again and all this stuff reflects the instinctive way I learned to play by myself as there was nobody to give me tips. Thanks for making it easier for people like me so they don't have to spend years sucking until they find their own way of doing it.
You're welcome! Good look with your playing.
Playing with a pick is so weird but using the same technique with a nail just makes so much more sense. Any tips for palm muting with fingerstyle?
I've never found a really sucessful left hand technique beyond that one. There is this, it's not really palm muting though ua-cam.com/video/4HkVNoZTdbc/v-deo.html
GREAT I also play rock/country with fingerstyle. Never liked picks. Always lose them. Too messy. Fingerstyle means my fingers are always in the right place.
Same here
Same here!
Same! I always feel uncomfortable using a pick
same here... especially for tapping, I hate biting my pick, also pick is not comfortable to play
Country Guitar The fucking same here.
Although I don t play the guitar (I am pianist), I can see that you are a great player!!
Never forget it... you are the best!!!
Thanks Roberto! Much appreciated.
Really interesting video man! I also use fingerpicking a lot, but I tend to go for a pick when playing rock since I can easily force harmonics with it and I do a lot of stuff where I rely on the pronounced attack of a pick.
Exactly what I've been looking for! Thanks!
This was amazing to watch. Thank you for making this! I learned a lot.
Great! I'm glad it was useful.
Hey great video! Let me ask you a question? I spend years only as a classical guitarist, now coming back to guitar i wanted to incorporate my pickless playstyle to the electric guitar.
When doing the "index finger imitating a pick" technique, doesnt your index nail break and tear off overtime? I can do that technique pretty well, i'm just not shure that my nail is going to hold on for too long before breaking.
It occasionally happens, but not often and when it does I can pretty much do the same thing with my middle finger nail too.
Typically if I'm playing multiple gigs a week, back to back then I'd use a simple nail strengthener cream, but it's not a regular thing.
I love this so much! I play classical guitar and I find it difficult manipulating a pick - my question is how do you keep your index fingernail from breaking when using it as a pseudo-pick? Thanks!
***** Thanks Ben! I've been meaning to do a follow up to this video.
Anyway, It might sound like a bit of a cop-out, but I rarely have a problem. I'm much more likely to break them during set up (frustratingly) than I am when I play.
If I break one before hand it depends on my mood, sometimes its fun to just get rid of them as Jeff Beck does. Other times I reshape them.
When it has happened mid-song I've switched to using my middle finger instead of index.
A possible bigger issue if you gig a lot (multiple times a week) is that they will wear down. I find mine can easily sustain an hour or so's practice a day, but if you're hitting the guitar hard in a gig and sweating a lot, then they can take a beating.
I have considered experimenting with fibreglass ala John Butler, but its not something I've followed up on yet.
Simple fact is, some people have tougher nails than others. Mine are like brick walls, so I don't break them but I can see how this would hamper playing for many many people on unwound metal strings.
Try fingerpicks.
Dude you are fucking awesome, I would love to learn that.
Although I don t play the guitar, I can see that you are a great player!!
Sounds cool!
Awesome. I play with pick but I am thinking of trying fingers because it seems more instinctive and so easier. How would you play the up strokes with distortion when you have to play for example only the 3 upper strings (tonic, 5th and octave)? I know many people plays mostly with down strokes (i.e., higway to hell, back in black, holy diver from Dio,...), but I like to do it with combined up and down runs. The problem I find is that, in the up stroke, the index finger "attacks" the strings with the fingertip, not the nail, and obviously the sound is much duller than in the down stroke.
Hi there! I'm guessing you're talking about the approach of using your index finger as a pick? Actually I've found the opposite problem, if my finger nails are very short - though with a bit of experimentation you can work around it. On downstrokes I'll hit the string with my nail first, it then rolls off onto my fingertip and that risks muting the string (or even creating a squealy!). With upstrokes I hit the string with my fingertip, the string rolls off onto the nail and that gives it a bit of a "click" and attack.
With that technique I do best if I have a bit more of a nail on the finger - it doesn't have to be that long, but with a bit of experimentation I can find the right length to get the tone I'm looking for with both up and downstrokes.
You are right, I Have been playin for a while after my first post and I guess I could get used to the upstrokes with the finger tip (I suppose that it takes a time to get a good feel after playing a few years with the pick...), and also I found this squealing problem mostly when the strings are tighter (soloing in high part of the fretboard), (for a moment I thought I became a master in artificial harmonics, which I am still learning to do...).
I am not sure If I will change the pick technique for the finger playing... I am concerned it would be like going back in my progression and having to start to learn all new mechanisms..... Whats your opinion as a teacher? Thanks for your time.
So this is going to be one of those "it depends" type answers. Particularly in the early stages, it's worth building a breadth of knowledge and skills, these all support each other and form a foundation that develops into something of real substance. As you get much better these benefits reduce and you get less crossover. As you get more advanced you have to specialise because you just don't have the time to support development in so many directions.
Have you seen this? I talk about why I ended up specialising in fingerstyle here, which might give you some insight.
ua-cam.com/video/1pflHgbsrFI/v-deo.html
Great video. Thanks for sharing it.
That's insane!
Thank you! You have just motivated me to keep playing and practicing without any significant changes to my personal technique!
I was wondering if I would need to switch to the use of picks in order to get a "clean" sound on faster solos and phrases... you heve just showed that NO.
Aside from disliking picks, I have another annoying feature... I simply can't stand the feeling of when I play an upstroke with my nail. It hits my nerves in a shocking way, I just can't use that technique. Any suggestions on how to "build" from that?
+Luís Filipe de Souza Gomes Thanks Luis!
Interesting problem, it's not something I've encountered before. I assume you're talking about the upstroke when using your index finger as a pick? For me it doesn't feel a lot different to a normal finger picking movement you just have your thumb against your index finger at the time - Sorry I can't be more help.
+SixStringsAttachedTV don't worry, you have already helped me a lot!
If you look up videos from brazilian classical guitarist Paulinho Nogueira maybe you'll be able to see what I'm talking about. He didn't usually attack the strings using his nails, but with the meaty portion of his fingers below them. I don't know if it is a coincidence, but I've always felt that he sounded somewhat smoother than the others.
In my case I will be looking to develop my current technique, which is closely related to Nogueira's into something that I can manage to play faster in a controlled way like you do. I'm looking up to adapt the exercises you provided on the other video to my style
+Luís Filipe de Souza Gomes Ah! yes now I think I understand you. Yes I do the same. The fleshy part of my finger is in contact with the string to start with and as I move my finger the string rolls of and hits the nail. I talk about it in this video when I talk about how I create my tone.
ua-cam.com/video/ojkMvAowjkA/v-deo.html
How do you maintain your nails on steel strings? I use nails and a thumb pick for nylon strings and when I play electric it just eats the nails down so I have to revert back to a flat pick. I know a lot of guitarists use acrylic nails but I've never been a fan of it, I'd rather use my real ones. Fabulous technique you have as well.
Brilliant. Thank you!!
+wonder6789 Thanks and good luck with your playing :0)
Great technique! May I ask, what is the name of the piece you're playing at 2:43 ?
Ah! Thanks so much for replying!
Hello Steve, Amazing video!
Question - Is it advised to have nails on the right hand for sharper sound while playing this style? If yes, how would you do clean rhythm on open chords with large nails. And if you suggest we don't need nails, then what way can we play power chords ?
Typically I have nails, though occasionally I'll get rid of them just to give me a different tone.
This video covers the typical approaches I use in strumming... ua-cam.com/video/Bs0TWgVH-zg/v-deo.html
Does that help you?
You are amazing.
Dude you are my hero!!!
:OD Thanks Roberto!
BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I´m transitioning from bass to guitar and i already love you lol you will hellpe me a lot. Dude i have problem with the spacing between the strings i play a strat. the problem is the guitar ow i need to train. there is any tips?
He is really good
Thanks for stopping by and checking my video out :o)
SixStringsAttachedTV Your welcome
I was curious if heavy rhythm playing can be done without a pick? Not heavy in sound, but heavy in meter and strums. Perfect example: the beginning of Pinball Wizard.
Hi there, thanks for the question. That's a good subject for a future video! When I'm playing like that I tend to draw on Flamenco strumming techniques (Rasgueado).
The thing to be aware of is that if you're playing an acoustic with heavy gauge strings, hard the whole evening then your nails will take a beating. Not a problem if you do one off shows, but will develop into one if you're playing like that night after night.
I know people like John Butler use acrylic or fibreglass coatings on their nails to strengthen them, but it's not something I've needed to experiment with. There's a great example of him playing like that here...
ua-cam.com/video/6VAkOhXIsI0/v-deo.html
On the electric, with lighter gauge strings it's less of a problem. If you're using distortion and playing power cords, palm muting etc. its even less of a problem.
Can you do screams and harmonics without a pick? I was lost in the same questions
At 1:58 I'm doing that, just my mimicking holding a pick. The other think you can do is to slap the string with your finger on the same spot as you'd normally touch the string to make a harmonic. Finally you can fret a note as normal with your left hand then touch 12, 7 or 5 frets above the fretted note with the index finger of your right hand, and pick the string with your thumb.
Fantastic!!!
Maestro! es justamente como yo lo hago, bueno casi, no uso todos los dedos en si
(Google translate is a wonderful thing!) Great to hear from another finger style player. I hope the video's help - Steve
Do u have online class? I want to learn fingerstyle electric guitar but i can play only basic level.
like Andy from guitarproshop , and Ritchie Kotzen... useful video , thank's.
Glad i'm not the only one who plays guitar without needing a pick. I play almost anything or any style and i'm doing fine without it.
Great to hear! I've put a few finger picking technique videos on here over the years which you may find interesting depending on your style.
@@SteveGilson I'm gonna check that out and all of your videos. Thank you for these awesome techniques & tips. 😊
I love it!!!
Can never differentiate the strings with a pick so I use my fingers and thumb. Been playing near enough 4yrs
Please more strumming lessons
Good idea! I'll give it some thought. Electric guitar, acoustic guitar or don't you mind?
Electric, please. Thanks!!
hard to get those gallop chugs when you cut your nails. beginning guitar trying to learn 8 string fingerstyle metal. Damn im dumb lol.
Yes! one of the reasons why i tend to keep at least some nail.
Excuse me,but,I want to play Slahs and Metallica songs,i just wanted to ask you,are these all tehnicques to play el. guitar fingerstyle,from description,and for how long have you been learning this stle of playing and how time did you spend daily on practicing,pls respond,cheers ;)
Hi Kadir, yes I'll use all the techniques listed in the description when playing my electric guitar. I've been playing a long time - I started when I was about 7 or 8 years old - I'm 50 now! From a technique point of view I was probably at my best when I was around 20 or 21. The amount of practice time would vary from day to day. Sometimes I'd play all day, sometimes I wouldn't bother. These days I maybe average an hour a day, depending on what's going on.
Ok,thank you very much sir,really helped me a lot,I hope I`ll learn this really good with lots of practice,cheers and thank you again ;)
Please help I always ended up with a triplets when I fast pick it.
That's pretty normal if you're playing major or minor scales. If you are staying on one position then you'll be playing 3 notes per string which naturally implies triplets.
2 things that you can do...
(1) Use a metronome, slow it down and play 2 or 4 notes a click, get used to the feel of it until it's completely natural to you.
(2) Ascend and descend in groups of 4 notes, instead of just playing up and down the scale (again use a metronome to emphasise the down beat).
You'll need to do it for long enough until it's ingrained, so give yourself a few weeks of focused practice to get the feel bedded in.
Do you find any limitations to this at all.? I’ve been thinking of abandoning the pick because as a mainly classical player I’m not used to it and it seems more efficient to use my already developed fingers than try to master two skills
Hi Nathan, I was in the same position which is why I started playing like this. The main limitations I found over the years are..
1. Volume - you can hit guitar strings harder with a pick than with your fingers.
2. palm muting - as shown I've not found a better way than to copy how I would do it with a pick.
3. nail wear - electric guitar can be tougher on the nails than the classical guitar.
Aren’t you afraid to scratch your nail when using it as a pick? Do you use nail hardening manicure products?
It really only becomes a problem for me when I'm gigging a lot, There's a product called "No 7 Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Care" which I'll occasionally use. It toughens them up without marking them.
@@SteveGilson thanks !
You look like Regis from Witcher 3: Blood and Wine. Cool vid btw :)
On another video I was accused of being the love child of Alan Holdsworth and Richard Dawkins :D Thanks for checking it out though.
Exelent!!!!!!
dude even I can play riffs with my fingers,esp the index one :D
It sounds much cleaner without using the pick
Do you grow out your nails like a classical guitarist would?
Most of the time I do, but sometimes I like to switch things up - see ua-cam.com/video/aiWqzez2TW8/v-deo.html
WOW!! I would like to add this to my website!! I would like my readers to check out this video, Please!!
+Larry Lorgeree Sure Larry, Go ahead and link to them. It's great that you find it useful!
how can you play so clean? cant play clean without pick
really nice video. you should get more view !!
+Firman Gultom Thanks I'm glad you found it useful! When you finger pick on the Electric guitar, you have to be much more concerned about string dampening than you do on the acoustic or classical guitar. That forces me to keep the heal of my right hand much closer to the strings than I would normally do. I think covered it somewhat in one of my videos, I'll put a link to it in here when I remember. Otherwise it's all about practice!
that's almost how I play :0
Instead of the video being named "Playing Rock Guitar Without a Pick - Fingerpicking Techniques" it would be more correct if it was named "Playing Rock Guitar With Fingernailpicking Techniques"
Looks like pizzicato
Among us
the closest I've seen to my style anyway