| Fingers2
Sign in to disble this ad
My second thread is about using capos and finger-picking. I remember watching Richard Bona play (and sing) a beautiful piece on Later with Jules Holland (live music show for those in the US) and then purchasing an album, hoping to find it recaptured on this digital medium. It so happened I didn't find the particular track and was a little disappointed with the lack of intensity and, I suppose, 'live feel' which I had expected from the album. Rather like another artist, Nick Harper...
He plays guitar and sings, all solo, but when he involves other musicians the spark seems to dissipate and he sounds much more middle of the road. Defintely worth checking out though. Again, for those of you in the US or not in the know, Nick is the son of Roy Harper (as in Hats Off To, by Led Zeppelin) and plays live on his own. He uses a few tricks with tuning pegs and has a very full sound for a one man band. A very technically and, more importantly, creatively, gifted musician. As usual I digress.
Back to finger-picking and capo playing, what are other players' thoughts? Do you know of other exponents of this style worth checking? I involve quite a lot of hammering-on, droning etc. Whether I'm technically proficient is certainly a matter for debate but, having picked up pointers from a picking wizard with whom I am unfortunately out of contact (I think he may have joined a cult), my approach is to shape my right hand like I'm holding a tennis ball. I sometimes use a thumb and three fingers, sometimes just use the three fingers. Anyway, if you've never tried it, it's certainly another world of playing worth entering. I think that the tone of the bass is much richer and fuller but still has the defintion required for this technique and so sounds better than a guitar. I suppose I'm bound to say that though... | 
