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ezFolk Forums > Ukulele > Beginner Questions - Ukulele > When fingerpicking which is the most popular method? |
| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| When fingerpicking which is the most popular method? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 01:53 am |
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1st Post |
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molinee Approved
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Anybody here been around Ukulele long enough to take an educated guess as to what fingering is the "most popular" either worldwide or regional. I realize that there are quiet a few different approaches to it, but what would be the most popular.... ie (Thumb-Index-Middle-Ring) or maybe just a two finger approach like (Thumb-Index)? Do most good players keep the same relationship of a specific finger to a specific string or not? Personally when I play I think I have too many fingers (LOL)
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 03:40 am |
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2nd Post |
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ezmember Approved
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I have the same problem. I'm in the midst of trying to figure out what kind of habit to get into as far as fingerpicking goes. I think it would simplify things a bit. So far, with the small amount of fingerpicking I've done, I think mainly using just the thumb and two fingers is adequate. Using three fingers could complicate things. I think the rule of thumb is to do what's easiest for you, what seems to work best. Using the thumb only is out of the question. I already know I can't do that. But have you seen the following Video? She's a little dramatic, but watch her thumb. In her case, it's very useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyzYjrsiiv4&feature=related
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 04:23 am |
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3rd Post |
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Will Approved 
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I'm self-taught, so I seldom play any instrument "the right way." I play uke, guitar, autoharp, 4-string banjo, and other string instruments using only my thumb (or just a thumbpick), but no fingers (or fingerpicks). I played autoharp for 9 years prior to playing uke and guitar, and I got too used to playing in a thumb lead style. When I try to play combining my thumb with my fingers, it's like trying to throw multiple darts at multiple targets; I'm more comfortable using just my thumb. When I need more volume (on guitar or 4-string banjo), I use a Herco thumb-flatpick, which is a teardrop shaped pick with a thumb loop. On autoharp, I use a standard thumbpick, with the point filed round and bevelled so that I can strum in both directions, down and up. Last edited on Fri Apr 25th, 2008 02:03 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 04:27 am |
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4th Post |
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molinee Approved
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In your case Will..... It appears "You're all Thumbs"
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 04:34 am |
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5th Post |
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scrooner Approved
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Here's a guy who's all thumbs. The legendary Ohta-San: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9toJRdu2bXQ Just a tiny bit of index finger at the end.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 05:14 am |
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6th Post |
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ezmember Approved
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Say, I like that song. Is there tablature anywhere for it?
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 02:25 pm |
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7th Post |
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scrooner Approved
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Not that I know of...
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20th, 2008 03:50 pm |
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8th Post |
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molinee Approved
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I came across a couple of players that play almost entirely........ Thumb-Thumb-Index,Middle and never or almost never use the ring or little finger. Sounds like some converted guitar players with alternating bass on the thumb.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20th, 2008 08:20 pm |
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9th Post |
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Neal Approved 
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I use thumb index middle. With 2 strings less than guitar, the ring finger seems redundant. How many post their pinky all the time when finger picking? My wrists were slapped with a ruler when I did that in guitar class years ago. Ouch! But it does make transitions easier to keep a floating hand. Edit: on the Taimaine "Tico Tico" she's playing a melody line with her thumb, totally different from fingerpicking. Lots of players do that when playing a lead, but she does have a pretty fast thumb An example of fingerpicking uke can be found on my MySpace page, last song on the player, Moby Duck, Jon Prown plays guitar and me on the uke. I think it was Jon's Talsma tenor. Link down below v v v v Last edited on Thu Mar 20th, 2008 08:30 pm by Neal ____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20th, 2008 08:54 pm |
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10th Post |
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molinee Approved
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Hey Neal... I always appreciate the info I get from yourself and Will. It is always informative and non-judgemental (and I like that). I am at this moment listening to some of your blues music (the Bluke) from your website. Really good stuff. I think you guys are ready for the big time (Seriously)! Anybody who hasn't checked out Neal and his band as of yet, should do so.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20th, 2008 10:21 pm |
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11th Post |
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scrooner Approved
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Neal wrote: How many post their pinky all the time when finger picking? My wrists were slapped with a ruler when I did that in guitar class years ago. Ouch! But it does make transitions easier to keep a floating hand. I support the body of the uke with my pinky, holding it right at the waist. I generally use my thumb for G-C, and my index & ring for E-A. Though sometimes I need the ring if I'm plucking all 4 strings at once. None of that is a rule of course. I just use whatever finger is closest at the time.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20th, 2008 11:54 pm |
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12th Post |
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Poi Dog Approved 
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I pretty much use Thumb exclusively, but when two at a time are required... then the index finger comes into play. LOL Sorry if I seem so redundant by posting these links - but they've been really helpful to me.  http://www.iamhawaii.com/videos/search?class=show&searchshow=Ukulele+Quick+Tips
____________________ 
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 03:32 pm |
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13th Post |
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SouthernCelt Approved 
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Will, sounds like you and I ended up with our style being the same (although all I play are 6-stringed instruments)...thumb only. I guess being self-taught and not being that literate in musical notation had a lot to do with my style. I've just never been able to get into the habit of adding the index and middle finger to the string plucking sequence so I stick with the thumb. I keep the thumbnail on my right hand longer and more sharply shaped so that for volume I can simply make a slight adjustment to my angle of attack with the nail so it gets more "bite" on the strings. I've heard commentary by some master players that basically says players should use whatever technique work for them, especially if they're not being formally instructed. Virtually all pro pickers have some self-developed quirk or technique variation that doesn't qualify as "classic" technique. A lot of times, though, those quirks are so quickly applied or infrequent that you can't detect visually that they're non-standard. So...whatever floats your boat...whatever gets you from point A to point B...whatever...whatever...
____________________ Please let me in where you're singing your songs I'll just sit quiet...I won't try to sing along -- lyric excerpt from "Hey, What About Me?" |
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 08:34 pm |
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14th Post |
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Will Approved
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SouthernCelt wrote: Will, sounds like you and I ended up with our style being the same (although all I play are 6-stringed instruments)...thumb only. I guess being self-taught and not being that literate in musical notation had a lot to do with my style. SouthernCelt: Very cool to meet another "pure thumbpicker." Unlike you, I can't grow my fingernails long, so I have to use a pick. Standard thumbpicks are a bit too thick and dull sounding when I used them to play guitar, but when I tried to use a flatpick, I had trouble keeping a grip on it without hand fatigue, so I started using the Herco thumb-flatpick. I think it's the perfect pick for me. I use medium and heavy gauge. One improvement I wish Herco (Dunlop) would make: the thinner gauge picks should also have a thick rather than thinner thumb loop, which renders them harder to hold on to.  There is a style of guitar called "Kentucky thumbpicking" but I think they also use some fingers; Merle Travis developed his style of fingerpicking from that area. Maybelle Carter played a thumb-lead style as well. In the jazz world, the late Wes Montgomery used only his (bare) thumb, and the late bluesman Albert King was also a thumb player. Thanks for sharing the advice about using whatever technique works. Last edited on Fri Mar 21st, 2008 08:36 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 10:03 pm |
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15th Post |
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TomHB Guest
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molinee wrote: Anybody here been around Ukulele long enough to take an educated guess as to what fingering is the "most popular" either worldwide or regional. I realize that there are quiet a few different approaches to it, but what would be the most popular.... ie (Thumb-Index-Middle-Ring) or maybe just a two finger approach like (Thumb-Index)? Do most good players keep the same relationship of a specific finger to a specific string or not? Personally when I play I think I have too many fingers (LOL) Don't know about other folks, but I prefer picking with the thumb and index finger, HOLDING a "wedgie" pick http://ukuleleworld2.com/home.php?cat=73 I keep trying different fingerpicking styles, with some success, but always go back to the rubber wedgie for the best tone and control. Just too many years flat-picking guitars I guess.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 11:46 pm |
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16th Post |
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ezmember Approved
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Poi Dog, don't apologize for posting those helpful and fun links. Keep posting them...that's what this forum is for, you know.  I go to all of them and really appreciate your leading us to those tutorials!
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| ezFolk Forums > Ukulele > Beginner Questions - Ukulele > When fingerpicking which is the most popular method? | Top |
