Switching from fingers to pick - help?

[lexiharringtonmusic]

I've spent 95% of my playing fingerstyle. I LOVE fingerstyle. But sometimes (not all the time) I like playing fast death metal/black metal that would require 3 fingers and my ring finger in very short. For 2 years I've been working on that 3 finger technique.. it just isn't happening. So to achieve those 16th notes, I decided to try a pick and I'm having trouble with the pick. 1. it just sounds scratchy, like I can HEAR the pick on the string when I pluck it. 2. it feels awkward and unnatural.

Any tips on how to make this transition easier and how to eliminate that scratchy sound from the pick?? Or point me to a source that could help me?
Thanks

 

[two fingers]

Go back to the beginning. Practice scales and whatnot slowly and work your way up.

 

[Buzz E]

Picks are very personal. What sounds and feels just right to me may be the exact opposite for you. Start by buying a sample bag or two of picks and trying them all. You'll eventually find one that's perfect for you. Rubber and wood picks tend to be quieter than the norm. Check them out as well. Start there and do what @two fingers said above.

 

[anavar]

Any tips on how to make this transition easier and how to eliminate that scratchy sound from the pick?? Or point me to a source that could help me?
Thanks

As far as picks go i would recommend the .88mm tortex green dunlop pics or the triangle pics. other wise try holding the pic so only a small section of is hitting the string, just play a tad harder to make up for it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

as far as finger style goes...

in this video i do some 16th note walking tremolo sections (30 secs into it) and my tip to start the riff with your ring finger. so the pattern is this, per 4 notes



ring finger, middle finger, pointer finger, ring finger - so that would be 4 notes, then it repeats with;
middle finger, pointer finger, ring finger, middle finger - so now thats 8 notes, then it repeats with;
pointer finger, ring finger, middle finger, pointer finger - so thats 12 notes now, then it repeats part 1;
ring finger, middle finger, pointer finger, ring finger - and ta da, thats 16 notes.

You can achieve incredible speed with this method when done well.

as far as tone, kill the mids from your amps and bass so it smooths out the tone. Mids are responsible for that clicky Coal Chamber style tone. cut the mids and boost your bass and treble, then bump the mids back up as you get better.

I hope that helps.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I found the thicker picks work better on the bass - I'm up to The Big Stubby 2.5 or 3.00mm. The Big Stubby comes in 1.0 to 3.0mm -- that I know of there may be more... My point thicker strings need thicker picks.

 

[Creede]

As far as picks go i would recommend the .88mm tortex green dunlop pics or the triangle pics. other wise try holding the pic so only a small section of is hitting the string, just play a tad harder to make up for it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

as far as finger style goes...

in this video i do some 16th note walking tremolo sections (30 secs into it) and my tip to start the riff with your ring finger. so the pattern is this, per 4 notes



ring finger, middle finger, pointer finger, ring finger - so that would be 4 notes, then it repeats with;
middle finger, pointer finger, ring finger, middle finger - so now thats 8 notes, then it repeats with;
pointer finger, ring finger, middle finger, pointer finger - so thats 12 notes now, then it repeats part 1;
ring finger, middle finger, pointer finger, ring finger - and ta da, thats 16 notes.

You can achieve incredible speed with this method when done well.

as far as tone, kill the mids from your amps and bass so it smooths out the tone. Mids are responsible for that clicky Coal Chamber style tone. cut the mids and boost your bass and treble, then bump the mids back up as you get better.

I hope that helps.

A) Killer track.

B) Do not cut your mids if you want to cut through the mix and be heard easily. More specifically, try to just mold your tone around the guitars and drums. If your guitarists boosts mids through a marshall, then maybe cuting mids a bit wouldn't be too bad, but boosting mids not only helps you cut through, but it raises the overall clarity of your tone.