Steel fingerpicks - Are they really necessary?

[icu81b4]

Hi everyone - Newbie here ... So I have started learning the PSG and first of all let me THANK everyone who has posted tutorials and links on this forum, these are very useful, but I'm struggling with the steel fingerpicks, they just keep catching at the wrong time, The thumbpick I'm fine with because I have been fingerpicking acoustic guitar for years and years, and its just so must easier to do the same thing on the PSG. I have good fingernails to pluck the strings with so I'm really thinking of binning the steel fingerpicks.

Are there any reasons why I should persevere with the steel fingerpicks? Their must be other players who are like me?

[Danny Mitchell]

Hi Alan,
This is a really common question from newbies, me included. My tuppence worth is to persevere. It's a wall that you have to clear (and you will) and the difference in tone and volume will make the frustration worth it. Good luck.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Head down keep going it will come>>>>

[icu81b4]

Rats ... I was hoping for a different answer ... Ha ha, Thanks for the replies I will endeavour with the things.

[Haddock]

Hi Alan
Learn the banjo first. It’s also handy for self defence.... Plus banjo = happy, steel = wailing, moaning, misery.....
Cheers
Calum

[icu81b4]

Hmmm - I do have a banjo somewhere amongst my guitars, I'll stick on my to do list.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Fingerpicks produce the best "angle of attack" on the strings. Finger nails are in the wrong place for steel guitar as your hand and wrist are bent differently to standard guitar.
I've said this so many times before but don't tire of the advice - Keep trying and (as already said) it gets easier with practice 'til you don't notice.
Shape them to your own comfort, mine curve round so the tip is just in front of my nail, and my finger goes into a slight funnel shape of the "ring" that nips gently into the skin to stop them dropping off (even with the obvious arthritis-y joints!)

[Donny Johnston]

Walk around the house with them on until they become part of your fingers. My personal preference is .015 Dunlop picks, I had a lot of trouble with .025 picks, 40 years ago, and worked my way down to .015. I find they suit me, they may not suit you but I would give them a try. Donny.

[icu81b4]

Thanks for the tips (no pun intended) and I appreciate the close up photo too. I'm not sure what gauge my picks are as they came with my PSG (Kyser USA) and I can't see any numbers on them. But whilst we're on the subject, when I play guitar I use a thumb and 3 fingers for pickin' but I notice that all the PSG player only use thumb and two fingers, I guess that's all you need for a chord, but it surprised me a little.

[Danny Mitchell]

Alan,
Some players use the three + thumb, and utilise a pick blocking method of playing. I try myself, as you can potentially get extended chords. Joe Wright, for one, is a prime example of this.
In fact his lessons are a great starting point for this very topic.
http://sierrasteels.com/lessons/lessons-index.html