The British Steelies Society

As a complete beginner, I am following Joe Dochtermann's 'Learn To Play C6 Lap Steel Guitar' because it seems to be one of the few books that doesn't require previous musical knowledge or the ability to play another instrument.

He strongly recommends using 4 picks, stating 'It's a bit trickier at first, but it will pay off when you see how easy it is to switch chords with this technique'

I would be interested in opinions on this.

Quite a number of very good players use four picks. I find thumb and two perfectly adequate (for 6 up to 10 strings) and it looks like the majority of players do too. But try it and see how you get on . Generally minority suggestions like this show an individual's preference rather than a "better" way of doing. At least you're going to wear them - good

Hi Shrub
I think Tony's summing up is spot on. I'm pretty sure I've seen a close up of Basil Henriques using 4 picks and Joe Wright certainly does. A bit of time spent on YouTube checking these guys out would let you hear the capabilities. In fact the Sierra guitars site has lessons from Joe Wright on lap.
Although listening to what some guys produce with 3picks will make your hair stand on end, I imagine you can get into more extended chords.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

B J Cole another superb steel guitarist uses one thumb and 3 finger picks. Example of his terrific playing can be seen on YouTube.

Thanks for the responses!

As a beginner, I think I will ignore the book's advice and keep it simple with 3 picks. I have sufficient problems controlling one thumb and two fingers at the moment without adding an extra finger!

I just wondered if it was better to persevere with 4 picks, but your responses have clarified my mind - when (said he hopefully) I become proficient with 3 picks, I may reconsider.

Back to practising those chords.......

To add to this,in my own experience, it took me a month or two to get used to the 'feel' of picks. And even now, after a couple of years, I'm still tweaking the curvature of the picks.

The Steel, lap or pedal, is no easy ride! But I like it!

Danny Mitchell wrote:To add to this,in my own experience, it took me a month or two to get used to the 'feel' of picks. And even now, after a couple of years, I'm still tweaking the curvature of the picks.

The Steel, lap or pedal, is no easy ride! But I like it!

Hi Shrub, and welcome to the Forum. I'm the odd one out in this discussion because I just can't get on with finger picks, thumb pick yes finger picks no. Now I can hear many a purist screaming at this sacrilegious statement, but I'll still give it my all.

Tone is individual and is based around am I a leader or a follower. Individuality is the name of the game and every top picker has his own unique style, tone and way of playing including way out tunings. Many connot play C6th tuning...but they can still pick E9th E13th etc. with ease. One picker who has used picks for years damaged his finger so couldn't wear any picks...he subsequently went into the recording studio and no one noticed from his tone, or sound that he wasn't using any picks, only a thumb pick.

I will argue till I'm blue in the face that most of the tone and sound comesq from the amp. backed up with good bar placing technique, feel for the music that you are plaaying. People like Basil, Tony, and many, many more can pick out nearly all the top pickers of PSG or LSG just by the way the tune is phrased and the tone, also the feeling of the piece.

Make your own sound yours...we are not sheep, be individual, find the sound you want, the tunes you want, and play how you feel. Remember what you play today and how you play it may not be how you play or feel next week, persevere with your noise no one elses. If we all sounded the same, where would the fun be of being different.

SORRY FOLKS IT JUST HAD TO SAID !!!

Maurice

Danny Mitchell wrote:To add to this,in my own experience, it took me a month or two to get used to the 'feel' of picks. And even now, after a couple of years, I'm still tweaking the curvature of the picks.

The Steel, lap or pedal, is no easy ride! But I like it!

Hi Shrub, and welcome to the Forum. I'm the odd one out in this discussion because I just can't get on with finger picks, thumb pick yes finger picks no. Now I can hear many a purist screaming at this sacrilegious statement, but I'll still give it my all.

Tone is individual and is based around am I a leader or a follower. Individuality is the name of the game and every top picker has his own unique style, tone and way of playing including way out tunings. Many connot play C6th tuning...but they can still pick E9th E13th etc. with ease. One picker who has used picks for years damaged his finger so couldn't wear any picks...he subsequently went into the recording studio and no one noticed from his tone, or sound that he wasn't using any picks, only a thumb pick.

I will argue till I'm blue in the face that most of the tone and sound comesq from the amp. backed up with good bar placing technique, feel for the music that you are plaaying. People like Basil, Tony, and many, many more can pick out nearly all the top pickers of PSG or LSG just by the way the tune is phrased and the tone, also the feeling of the piece.

Make your own sound yours...we are not sheep, be individual, find the sound you want, the tunes you want, and play how you feel. Remember what you play today and how you play it may not be how you play or feel next week, persevere with your noise no one elses. If we all sounded the same, where would the fun be of being different.

SORRY FOLKS IT JUST HAD TO SAID !!!

Maurice

IMO three finger picks (plus thumb) are a real advantage if you plan to play C6. They can be a bonus on E9, although it is a job to get that third finger to do what it's told. - It's a very disobedient finger and takes a lot of training.

Have a think about what you want to do on steel and how far you want to go.
Good luck.