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newguitar07
Groupie
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 26
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 Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:47 am Post subject: Strumming for you |
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Hey guys,
I was wondering how you guys strum your guitars. I've seen people strumming guitars differently. And I'm just curious how you guys strum your guitars generally.
Use picks most of time?
or just use thumb and index finger?
or use all of your fingers to strum? |
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1bassleft
Lowdown Cack-hander
Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 3773
Location: "Hit The North"
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Chaim
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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I'm new to the site, and this is a fairly old thread, I hope no one minds that I revive it (I'm not sure the etiquette on this site yet).
When I first learned guitar I learned classical guitar. Everything is done with the fingernails. When my guitar teacher finally let me start to use chords and strumming he had me use all my fingers for the down strum (best I can describe it is a flick of the wrist and fingers similar to flicking a crumb off your shirt or shooing a bug away) and using the thumb on the up strum. I dropped guitar for 20some years and have recently decided to start back up. Even though I picked up a steel string 6 string and an Epi Les Paul electric, I find that strumming with my fingers (and nails) the most comfortable since it is what I'm used to. I'm trying to get used to a pick though (.88mm for acoustic, .75 for electric). |
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Tim
Low Frequency Out
Joined: 14 Aug 2005
Posts: 976
Location: At the back, behind the guitarist.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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| ...make sure you experiment is my only advice! Both myself and, if I'm not mistaken, 1BL use .75 (or the equivelent- .73 or whatever) nylons on bass which seems very soft, however I also use a 3mm rubber pick and, recently, a .5mm Brass pick...all work kick-ass for different things... |
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1bassleft
Lowdown Cack-hander
Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 3773
Location: "Hit The North"
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the forum, Chaim, and no-one here minds a dead thread being resucitated  . All techniques are well worth learning and I've been working on my fingerstyle for bass (there's always a stigma to bassing with a plec) but, as Tim says, they make different sounds. I still like the attack from a bit of plastic for the right songs. As I may have said in the other thread, Jim Dunlop nylons work for me because I get a sweaty grip under the lights and drop smoothies like confetti.
I don't vary much from .73, though. .66 is tooo wibbly and .88 or above doesn't seem to allow alternate picking with my (lousy) technique. If I really want to dig in, I just position my thumb to stiffen it up or use my actual nails; but that gives the "manicure by Sweeney Todd" look after a few songs on roundwounds |
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Tim
Low Frequency Out
Joined: 14 Aug 2005
Posts: 976
Location: At the back, behind the guitarist.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sure there used to be some guitarists on this forum?
Maybe it's just that us bass players are used to being on time, they're all probably practicing typing at 60 words a second while we're here answering queries  |
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Chaim
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:40 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the welcome. As of now, I've been using the Dunlop nylons. I like the feel, but it is too early to get attached to one type of pick, I'd like to try some others. Brass sounds interesting, I haven't seen brass picks. Is there an internet source for them if I can't find them locally? Is there a particular brand I should be looking for? |
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lee_UK
Rolling Stone No.8
Joined: 04 Feb 2005
Posts: 3270
Location: London, UK
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Tim wrote: | I'm sure there used to be some guitarists on this forum?
Maybe it's just that us bass players are used to being on time, they're all probably practicing typing at 60 words a second while we're here answering queries |
You 2 bass players always do such a great job, theres nothing left to say, except.. i always use a single pick when on an electric, a Fender medium, i use both a pick and fingers when on steel string acoustic, and just fingers when on a nylon string, when i play bass i use thumb, index and middle finger. |
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Tim
Low Frequency Out
Joined: 14 Aug 2005
Posts: 976
Location: At the back, behind the guitarist.
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