Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

Don't know if anyone else does it but I mute with my left hand.

Yes, all the time. It's one of the reasons I'm not very partial to playing open strings on a bass guitar.

 

[JJR58]

When I palm mute with my left hand, it feels like someone else is doing it.

Uh, well............ no comment.

 

[JJR58]

Also presupposes that there's only one place with a surplus of shoes for throwing.

Her throwing the mods shoes at me could be ground for divorce, or separation.
Besides, i can fend off flying shoes. Now if flying monkeys were sent my way, i'd be in heaps of trouble.

 

[PillO]

I'm beginning to think you just have shoes and no feet....

Diabetes is no laughing matter!

But perhaps he has no feet for other reasons... Whatever is under the green sheet ate his feet...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Diabetes is no laughing matter!

But perhaps he has no feet for other reasons... Whatever is under the green sheet ate his feet...

There's a thundering herd of rabid, voracious diabetes under the green sheet.

 

[Gaolee]

Florida Man Sells Guitar
Gibson thunderbird GUITAR | Dan's Gear Outlet

 

[RedVee]

Learning anything new can be awkward, stick with it and soon you'll master it.

I have been trying to work with a pick (on and off) for a few months. My biggest problem with using a pick is muting. I have trouble muting 3 strings and playing 1, particularly playing the A and D strings. Any pick aficionados want to share some hints?

Ive been playing since '71, I started out using a pick and still do about 60% of the time. There are lots of picking techniques. Down stroke, up stroke, up/down (alternating), circular, raking flat picking, angled etc. I like a good thick pick with a shape I can grab, Fender 346 extra heavy are all I use. You may find yourself gripping the pick real tight, loosen up a bit and and let the pick work between your tumb and for finger. Use small movements, don't flail, remembering economy of motion something my old teacher said to me. Keep a small part of the pick tip exposed . these are all suggestions, you will find what works for you. Use of the pick has been much maligned but it can get you tones unattainable with fingers for aggressive sound and speed there is no substitute. Don't discount fingers, it's good to use both! Welcome to the best club on TB!

Learning to play reading and also using a pick (if you are not fluid with one) is doubly hard at first. When not reading - just play anything with a pick, like following a favorite songs baseline. Important thing is to be versed in up and down strokes (and when to incorporate each) and learning that you don't have to have a vise-grip on the pick. A light grasp of it will give you more nuance and articulation control. And then there's palm-muting which will expand your range into a whole new palette. Just keep doing it and it will come - and have fun with it!

Thanks all. I’ll take note of all this info.
On the weekend I experimented with a thicker pick, which seemed better. From .88 green to purple 1.14?.

Still need to navigate it better of course

 

[JJR58]

Bring on the flying monkeys. I'll just have to use my force field and hope for the best.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Florida Man Sells Guitar
Gibson thunderbird GUITAR | Dan's Gear Outlet

Wait. This is the only six string Thunderbird Gibson made, right? That's a STEAL at under a grand! Yow!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanks all. I’ll take note of all this info.
On the weekend I experimented with a thicker pick, which seemed better. From .88 green to purple 1.14?.

Still need to navigate it better of course

That purple TorTex works best for me! It's my bass pick of choice. I've played everything from the orange TorTex (which work perfectly on electric guitar for me) up through (back in the day) thick, triangular tortoise shell and plastic picks, and a massive felt pick (ugh).

 

[dukeorock]

Thanks all. I’ll take note of all this info.
On the weekend I experimented with a thicker pick, which seemed better. From .88 green to purple 1.14?.

Still need to navigate it better of course

The different thicknesses become very personal and a part of your sound. I keep different thickness around in the studio because the tonal difference is way more noticeable to me when recording. I used the purple Tortex for many years, but found the blue ones (1mm) to be the secret sauce for me. Good snap, but enough thickness to dig in as much as you care to

 

[BklynKen]

@fasterpussycat @dukeorock I saw Simon Bonney and Bronwyn Adams open for Mark Lanegan. They were great.

 

[dagrev]

Diabetes is no laughing matter!

But perhaps he has no feet for other reasons... Whatever is under the green sheet ate his feet...

It's the sheet. The only logical thing for him to do is to get out now before the sheet consumes even more. Clearly the sheet doesn't like shoes.

 

[Mike.C.]

I left hand mute on the upright all the time. That should be plenty to run with.

Sometimes I backhand the mute.

 

[PillO]

It's the sheet. The only logical thing for him to do is to get out now before the sheet consumes even more. Clearly the sheet doesn't like shoes.

 

[PillO]

Sometimes I backhand the mute.

Yeah! It's not like he'll scream or call for help...

 

[dagrev]

Yeah! It's not like he'll scream or call for help...

It had to be said!

 

[bylar13]

My pick of choice.

I have always played with a pick and rarely ever use my fingers to play. I just never learned...

 

[PillO]

It had to be said!

Not by the mute...

 

[dagrev]

Not by the mute...

Well played, indeed!