rake picking (for want of a better expression!)

[henry]

how do people like Curly Chalker and Buddy Emmons do that kind of rakey pick thing, like Curly does at the end of his bit here



looks like it's with his first finger across three strings. I'd always assumed it was finger finger thumb..

[James Crowbear]

Hi Henry
yep ! it's a rake
the index rakes down on 2 or 3 strings & the thumb finishes it
do it slowly, i'm sure you'll get the hang of it
" kinda " like snappin' your fingers in a way

[henry]

many thanks once again, James

[henry]

is there a way of doing this the other way round? an ascending rake? been trying with my thumbpick but not getting v far

[James Crowbear]

the rake you hear Curly & Buddy do is a descending one - it's really a quickie
( such as the one mentioned in my previous post )
if you wish to go against the tide Henry, more power to you
w: luck & perseverance, you'll be an innovator ! ?
be different !

[Jason Lynch]

maybe go up with the thumb, and finish with the middle? just a thought...

[henry]

cheers guys, i'll let you know how i get on...!

[Will C]

If it's what I think you're talking about, I've been doing it for years, and it works just fine. I think it sounds nice....
But then I'm biased. I go thumb, first finger, second finger, - and sometimes even third finger. Sounded so fast it occupies one beat of the bar, would probably be written musically as 4 barred 16th notes, or maybe 4 stacked quarter-notes on the same upright with a squiggly line next to it to indicate the rake. 6-string players do it all the time, it's called a "pick rake". John Stannard did it a lot in e.g. Highway 40 Blues.

[James Crowbear]

Will C is correct when referring to guitbox players who " pick rake "
they do it both ways up & down
the other technique Will mentions w: thumb, index, middle is NOT imo a rake -
the rake on psg, is descending whereas the " fingers thingie " is ascending
it's a quick ascending roll pick snap that many, such as Paul F, Mike J, use a lot
correct about the barred 16th notes

[Will C]

Absolutely, James, it owes more to classical guitar technique maybe, not a rake. But it sounds like it.....