Picks

[Jif]

I'm a newbie on PS, just started using picks the start of this year. This was a big change for me, I've always used my nails for picking conventional guitar.

I found they frequently slipped and dug into my flesh. I found a few threads where guys used a heatshrink wrap to help with this so I tried it and it was an improvement, but they still moved too much for me. So I put another piece of heatshrink on the back to make a solid circle around my fingers.

This works well for me, I find playing hard enough without having to adjust picks as I'm playing, I've posted some photos below,











Don't know if this has been tried already, probably, maybe once I get better I'll take off the stabilisers

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Hi Geoff
Getting used to picks is not easy but very necessary for playing our chosen instrument.
I used regular picks for years and suffered a fair bit of pain and split skin at the side of My fingernails.
I then found Perfect touch Picks and have never had a problem with them Check them out here and if You mention this Forum when ordering They will give You a discount.
http://hobromusic.com/
Best regards
Billy

[Paul Brennan]

As Billy says, it's not easy to get used to finger picks. The steel requires a lot more perseverance than other instruments. In my early days I used to wear my picks all day long. This definitely helped me get used to them in a relatively short period of time. I think it's like beginning to play guitar - you need to build up some callouses on the skin. There are players like Bobbe Seymour who don't use finger picks but they are very much in the minority. Stick with it and you'll soon get to the stage where you can't play the steel without your finger picks.

[Jif]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement guys. I'll definitely give the perfect touch picks a go as you have suggested Billy.

Paul, I think perseverance is a bit of an understatement. I was practising last night and thinking to myself - "am I actually making any progress here"?

The answer of course is yes, but not as quickly as I would like. I think the thing is, and this is probably true for many new players, that I'm quite proficient on "normal" guitar and it's frustrating when "your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill".

Then again, sometimes it's just so sweet to play, it makes the effort seem worthwhile. I do realise I'm talking to the converted here

I could really do with upgrading to a better instrument, unfortunately I don't have the cash at the moment.

More work required in 2013 I think

[ossettjohn]

I also found that "standard" Dunlop picks were uncomfortable but found that these are blissfully comfortable (and inexpensive)http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/guitar-finger-picks/Pro%20Pik%20Sharpie

This thumbpick is really nifty as well http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/guitar-thumb-picks/perfect-thumb-pick.htm.htm