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09-25-2006, 01:59 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ohio | | | Trying to improve fingerstyle technique
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Still trying to master the fingers. Converted guitarist and I use a pick. I am not a "finger snob" ....BUT I am one of those guys that MUST know how to do it all.
I find that I don't get the attack I like with fingers. I play VERY aggressively. As I have experimented it seems that finger players crank the amp and play lightly. Am I seeing this right? As I watch Entwistle it seems he is barely hitting the strings.
I have been trying this and it SEEMS to be the right direction.
Is this just some thing HE does or does fingerstyle require more amp juice and less string attack. |
09-25-2006, 02:01 AM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburn, Washington | | | For me also playing with fingers generally has a quieter sound. When I take out a pick, it's suddenly a lot louder. It's just part of the difference, I guess. |
09-25-2006, 03:15 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by badstonebass ...
I find that I don't get the attack I like with fingers. I play VERY aggressively. As I have experimented it seems that finger players crank the amp and play lightly. Am I seeing this right? As I watch Entwistle it seems he is barely hitting the strings.
I have been trying this and it SEEMS to be the right direction.
Is this just some thing HE does or does fingerstyle require more amp juice and less string attack. | well, i couldn't DISAGREE more with that observation. entwhistle was called thunderfingers for a reason, that reason being that he hit the strings HARD. not all fingerstyle players play softly. |
09-25-2006, 03:39 AM
|  | Registered User | | | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by ras1983 well, i couldn't DISAGREE more with that observation. entwhistle was called thunderfingers for a reason, that reason being that he hit the strings HARD. not all fingerstyle players play softly. | well, i think your wrong. john entwistle doesnt play as hard as you think. he plays near the neck using this technique where he basically slaps the strings with his fingers. he uses some effects too |
09-25-2006, 03:43 AM
|  | Ojo. | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beaumont/Calimesa, CA | | i play hard when i want the sound to be louder; soft when i want it quieter.
i'll also use the geddy lee style "slap" (two or three fingers together hitting the strings HARD, but in finger style) to get really loud and percussive.
i'll use a pick when i play, for instance, fast repeated 16th notes, or something... and i want an even, growly, and loud kind of sound. 
finger style takes as much training as any other... it's a matter of practice, discipline, and strength.
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09-25-2006, 03:44 AM
| | Ojo. | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beaumont/Calimesa, CA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by BrandonBass well, i think your wrong. john entwistle doesnt play as hard as you think. he plays near the neck using this technique where he basically slaps the strings with his fingers. he uses some effects too | this is true. i agree.
but i also agree that not all fingerstyle players play softly.
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09-25-2006, 09:54 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ohio | | | Well, I guess I am back to square one. |
09-25-2006, 10:01 AM
|  | Now a major motion picture | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hudson Valley, NY | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by badstonebass I find that I don't get the attack I like with fingers. I play VERY aggressively. As I have experimented it seems that finger players crank the amp and play lightly. Am I seeing this right? As I watch Entwistle it seems he is barely hitting the strings. | I hope it's possible to get a good tone out of an aggressive attack, since mine is pretty firm. When I first started learning fingerstyle, I sounded awful, but after a while I realized that I was plucking up on the strings too much. After a while, I started to press down more--hit the strings at around a 45 degree angle. This made my tone a lot better, more masculine for lack of a better word, and also made me play a lot faster. You might take a look at exactly how your fingers are approaching the strings. |
09-25-2006, 10:10 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ohio | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Jumbotron I hope it's possible to get a good tone out of an aggressive attack, since mine is pretty firm. When I first started learning fingerstyle, I sounded awful, but after a while I realized that I was plucking up on the strings too much. After a while, I started to press down more--hit the strings at around a 45 degree angle. This made my tone a lot better, more masculine for lack of a better word, and also made me play a lot faster. You might take a look at exactly how your fingers are approaching the strings. |
Interesting. I guess that's what I meant by playing lighter. In approaching fingerstyle I have tried watching players I admire. It seems an easy fix but it has not been. I may be grabbing too much string as you said. I want to take some lessons but I am self employed and gig every weekend so time is very precious at the moment. |
09-28-2006, 10:57 PM
| | | | try playing something simple like nib or war pigs from sabbath, thats how hard you should pluck, i find playing each note as a individual gives the best tones. repetition is the key. playing with the same force and volume no matter what the technique, slap, tap or fingerstyle. do you question how much pressure you need to play running with the devil? also the left hand is key to good tone | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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