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#273072 - 08/03/10 08:04 AM
How do I use Fingerpicks ?
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Tryinghard
One of the Regulars
Registered: 17/08/09
Posts: 75
Loc: South Wales
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Hi
Its impossible for me to keep a full set of nails on my right hand so I have bought 3 Fingerpicks and a Thumbpick.
Now the question, how do I use them, a search on google seems to bring up mostly adverts or conflicting advise.
The shop I bought them in told me that they are worn upside down with the curved bit over the soft bit of the finger.
A web source I found says the proper way to wear finger picks is with the two sides that almost fit together pointed at you, i.e. with the curved bit over the nail.
Also how far should the tip protrude from the end of the finger.
Which is best metal or plastic.
Thanks
Edited by Tryinghard (08/03/10 08:34 AM)
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#273082 - 08/03/10 09:44 AM
Re: How do I use Fingerpicks ?
[Re: Tryinghard]
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english_bob
english_bob
Unregistered
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I thought the protruding part was supposed to cover your nails- it makes sense to me to do it that way as they're supposed to be used in place of fingernails, so they ought to be worn so that the "nail-like" protruding part is where your nail would be.
Metal picks will give you a brighter tone, whereas plastic will be mellower- which is preferable probably depends a little on your guitar- if it's already quite bright and thin sounding, you might want to avoid using metal picks, but metal might be preferable on a dark sounding guitar that needs brightening up. Other than that, it's purely a matter of cost and comfort.
How far they protrude is going to be dictated by the picks themselves to a certain extent, but shouldn't matter too much as long as you're consistent with it. If you "wear them long" one day and short the next you'll have trouble developing your technique. I'd suggest keeping them fairly close to the ends of your fingers- I imagine it's easier that way to avoid getting them snagged under the strings.
I always found finger and thumbpicks really awkward to use- playing with the nails is essentially about increasing volume, so if you're playing at home or amplified, there's no reason not to play with your fingertips if that's easier.
Why is it that you can't maintain your nails? Too brittle? Getting chipped? Getting funny looks at the pub?  Maybe there are other options to consider...
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#273085 - 08/03/10 11:49 AM
Re: How do I use Fingerpicks ?
[Re: ]
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Tryinghard
One of the Regulars
Registered: 17/08/09
Posts: 75
Loc: South Wales
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Thanks english_bob
Food for thought, as I said the advise seems to vary on how they should be worn.
My nails keep splitting at random. Never thought of just keeping my RH nails short and playing with my fingertips.
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#273095 - 08/03/10 03:39 PM
Re: How do I use Fingerpicks ?
[Re: Tryinghard]
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english_bob
english_bob
Unregistered
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There are also various nail treatments available to strengthen your nails- they're fairly widely used by classical guitarists as nails are pretty much the only way to play a nylon strung guitar loudly enough to be heard in a concert hall. Some classical guitarists have false nails, but both those options might feel a little too girly for you (assuming you're not a girl...). Dietary factors can have an influence on the thickness and strength of your nails too, so that might be worth considering if you're serious.
If you're more interested in folk, blues or country fingerpicking than in classical guitar, fingertips work fine...
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