Acoustic Picking Options

[Chris]

Hi. I've just been reading the acoustic section from Total Guitar. I have played quite a lot of acoustic but never really been taught, so my picking has always been quite wild. This acoustic article says alternately pick with index and middle finger on the same string - quavers: b-string, notes: 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8
I am finding this much harder than I thought..and I have been spening the last 10 mintues trying to get my head around i-m-i-m-i-m... I keep accidently playing i-i-m or m-m-i. Also. I can't get my head round fingerpicking with two fingers on the same string. It sounds bad. Each note doesn't seem to be played...more brushed slightly with the pads of fingers (i dont like growing then using my nails) and it never seems to sound right.
What am I doing wrong? Will I get it eventually if I keep practicing? Or am I just experiencing a common picking technique change...like when many begginners finally make the swap to alternate picking (with pick) from having just done down strokes?

Thanks.

[Dejan Farkas]

This alternate fingerpicking i-m-i-m is something that has to be developed over time, just be patient and practice slowly.. first try only right hand, because left hand may distract your attention, and then focus on getting even tone from both fingers and on timing..

and those 5-6-8 exercises with alternate fingerpicking are excellent for dividing left and right hand

Fingernails are needed only in case of nylon strings, it may sound dull without them, but for steel strings you don't need nails, just pick it with the flesh

[Pedja Simovic]

Hi Cris

You had some bad habits and now it will take some time to correct them. Don't get discouraged , this will be sorted out very fast (in couple of days, week the most if you practice every day).
Don't worry about it, practice hard and things will come.
And yeah - you don't need to grow nails to play "i m i " trust me I finished primary music school for classical guitar where nails are even more required - nails will help but are not essential part of technique.
Also you might want to check out videos of any bass player on youtube. You will notice they use primarily i m i technique so once you work on this technique you are half way towards playing bass guitar

It would be nice if you posted a video of yourself playing that exercise using i m i technique so that I can monitor your progress.

Hope this helps , thanks.

[Vinod Saranga]

For your question the answer is a big YES.


It will get better when you have practiced it for sometime.I also had problems with keep i m alternating in early.

Play extreamly slow and keep i m i m.Then gradually speed up.Don't play other combinations(like ii,mm)

until you feel i m i m natural for you.Don't practice mistakes.Correct them by playing extreamly slow if needed.You have to programme your muscles to do new thing.It's all about muscle memory.If you practice enough it will become natural.




This post has been edited by Vinod Saranga: Oct 4 2008, 03:09 AM

[Zaxerian]

On this topic should you just practise i-m-i-m
I have been trying i-m-r-i-m-i on one string (or over two) should I just stick with i-m-i-m?

[Vinod Saranga]

On this topic should you just practise i-m-i-m
I have been trying i-m-r-i-m-i on one string (or over two) should I just stick with i-m-i-m?

It's depend.Sometimes you need i m a for some parts.


But most of the time i m i m is used. 

[Ivan Milenkovic]

As you are making mistakes and confusing finger picking patterns, it is usually because you are pushing yourself to hard. Don't worry, relax and enjoy the slow exercise. Slow it down as much as you can, to feel comfortable and stay slow as much as you can. After you do this, you will have much less troubles when going up the speed.

[Chris]

thanks everyone. Probably a bit of a false call. It basically came to me as soon as i picked my guitar up again having posted. Your advice is still helpful all the same. Thanks

[Vasilije Vukmiro...]

Just keep practicing, you will get better as time goes by!
Also, keep in mind that you want to achieve loud tone, so pick hard!

[sigma7]

if you dont want long nails, you can always get finger picking picks. they are like rings that slip onto the tips of your fingers and its like having long nails!

[Chris]

thanks guys.