|
|
|
|
Lately, I haven't been using my guitar pick all that much. I got this tab book of some good ol' Gatemouth Brown finger picking blues. I've been enjoying myself so much trying to get this fingerpick thang goin'."
I'm starting to understand the arpeggio-phrasing technique a lot more. Gatemouth Brown is a legend and a true musician. He plays acoustic / electric guitar in all genres. He can also play the fiddle like nobody's business. He is also a drummer, harp player, and banjo playing fool.
So, let's cover some of the techniques I've found to be very effective in my playing. Using these techniques can add color to your performance. Think of it as a small toolbox of tricks you can pull out to add character to your songs and live set. Effective pick-hand technique provides the kind tone and textures that can give a personal touch to an old classic or to provide a step off point for other creative musical endeavors.
Try Different Styles and Genre
Play the root notes with your thumb. The down-strums with the tips of your fingernails, and upstrokes with just you finger tips. Get yourself a metronome and play to different speeds, Do some stagger strumming. Strum to the off beats. Download or find music that you might not jam to. Try a calypso feel. Do some cowboy songs and "Yes" hammer-on those top bass strings and get into some alternate picking, etc. Try a walking bass line while playing the three higher strings open. These are just ideas to opening your mind!
Turn Your Acoustic into a Percussion Instrument
Bang on it like a hand drum. Strike or tap the strings with the inside surface of your fingers as if you swatting a fly. Now? don't bang on it to hard. I don't want to be blamed for someone's guit-box being damaged. Let your fingers kind of bounce off and away from the strings for them to ring-out. Experiment with different taps all up and down the fret board and back side of the neck too! Use the top of the guitar as a drum. I've seen duos with one person playing the guitar and the other person playing the percussions on the back of the guitar laid flat across the their lap. Remember to use the different parts of the hand to include knuckles, fingers -rings, etc.
Slap and Pop Technique
Bass players use this technique for rhythmic power. Use the outside of your thumb joint to attack the strings. If you experiment with this approach, try getting bell like tones out of those bass strings.
Put Some Snap into Your Playing
Use your index finger to snap those high strings when playing lead solos. Try yanking lightly on each string, releasing it against the fret board with a bright snap. Give those strings a real pinch when needed too (Don't be shy...). This is good for rock and blues flavored solos.
Use Muting and Volume in Your Playing
Slap and pop with some funk. Use your thumb and middle finger playing octave notes. Kinda like a cat claw approach. Don't forget to use the heel of your pick hand to mute and use as a volume control for the strings. Rest the heel of your hand lightly on the saddle. Now practice strumming and muting the strings while the heel lightly lays across the strings. Next, mute the strings with your chord-hand by lightly touching the string while strumming your guitar with your nails on your finger-tips. Kinda like playing percussions on the strings. I call it chickin'- scratchin' those strings.
"Again, I hope I've sparked some imagination for playing without a pick. These ideas will help you develop your own style too!"
Scott Thomas
Managing Editor,
Guitarz Forever.com
 CTV.ca | Will the American Music Awards win the youth vote? Los Angeles Times, CA - By Geoff Boucher At rehearsals this week for the 36th Annual American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre, one of the key executives for the show gushed that ... Performances pack American Music Awards show in Los Angeles Britney Spears to Perform at Sunday's American Music Awards? Britney's surprise appearance at AMA |
 CTV.ca | Why the new Zune Pass should be irresistible ZDNet - The music industry has been stumbling and bumbling with subscription-based music services for years, and I’ve been experimenting with them since the very ... Microsoft Ups the Ante on Zune Downloads Microsoft Announces New Zune Pass Music Subscription Model Microsoft lets Zune music subscribers keep tunes |
 New York Times | Movement Mostly Minimal, With Music to Match New York Times, United States - I thought, “Couldn’t I at least listen to some music while I watch this?” Then we did hear music (drumming with rhythms far more complex than any of the ... |
'Music Center or bust!' by train and bus Los Angeles Times, CA - One of the truly Sisyphean tasks of LA living is trying to get to the Music Center from the so-near-but-oh-so-far Metro Red Line subway station. ... Classical Music/Opera Listings |
 CTV.ca | Julianne Hough Wants To Focus On Her Music Career. kypost.com, KY - She tells Ryan Seacrest that she really wants to focus on her music and "be taken seriously." She says it's hard to be on "Dancing With The Stars" and be ... Julianne Hough 'Dancing' no more Julianne Hough Hangs Up Her Dancing Shoes `DWTS' pro Julianne Hough won't return next season |
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra delivers audience-friendly 20th ... Dallas Morning News, TX - By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News FORT WORTH – The mere mention of the words "20th century music," sadly, will send many a concertgoer fleeing for ... |
 Sportinglife.com | Jets-Titans offer early AFC showdown in Music City The Associated Press - NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans feel they aren't getting the attention and respect that usually go with a 10-0 start. ... 100 Words: Jets (7-3) at Titans (10-0) The View from the Cheap Seats |
 Telegraph.co.uk | Kanye West's new album to debut on MySpace Music The Associated Press - NEW YORK (AP) — Add Kanye West to the list of artists previewing their new CDs on MySpace Music. The 31-year-old rapper's "808s & Heartbreak" doesn't come ... Kanye West examines real vs. fake, puppet vs. human on '808s and ... Kanye West: 808s and Heartbreak Kanye West's "808's & Heartbreak" album covers |
Music review: Fiery finale for Guarneri Quartet San Francisco Chronicle, USA - In the potent performance of the Mendelssohn Octet that occupied the second half of the program, a listener could witness the mantle of chamber-music ... West Coast premiere of Salonen composition, canceled at OCPAC ... |
MySpace Music to name Courtney Holt chief next week CNET News, CA - Courtney Holt, an MTV executive, will be named as president of MySpace Music, possibly as early as Monday, according to a source close to the company. ... MyTunes: from 45s to MP3s |
| Top of Page home Bookmark Us Now ctrl+d 1st 4 Music, shopping via 1st4music cost no more than going direct and can often save you money with special offers. with questions or comments about this website |