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Post by dennisobell on May 15, 2004 18:08:51 GMT -5
Hey everyone,
I've been working on my finger picking lately to help really round out my technique (I've been playing about 16 months now). Rhythm and leads are coming along pretty well, so I thought that it was time to branch out.
There are two songs that that I've been practicing: Stevie Nicks' "Landslide" (pretty easy) and Lennon's "Julia" (less easy).
Any words of advice from all of you experienced players out there would be much appreciated. Specific Q's:
-Two finger or three finger? Is it just personal preference or is one better in the long run?
-Any other songs or practice drills to keep me moving forward?
-I haven't attemped anything with a plectum yet-way beyond my skill level right now! Is this a really advanced
technique that I may never really need?
Thanks in advance!
Dennis.
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Post by sandman on May 16, 2004 19:42:14 GMT -5
pick up some books on classical guitar methods this will give you some drills that will improve your technique.  |
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Post by hcoll on May 16, 2004 20:33:05 GMT -5
...I'm no experienced player...just my two cents....
...practice...practice...practice....
...I totally agree with sandman's advice....
...my thread about Bach rocks...below this one...well...he does...except the thumb-driven counter-point in Jesu is tough...flat strummin' is a lot easier than fingerpickin'...this is three-fingerpicking....
...somebody correct me if I'm wrong...but isn't two-finger picking Django Reinhardt's Gypsy Jazz style....
...start off slow...try to keep in time....
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Post by Ol Geezer on May 16, 2004 22:08:28 GMT -5
There are two songs that that I've been practicing: Stevie Nicks' "Landslide" (pretty easy) and Lennon's "Julia" (less easy). I believe the fingerpicking style John Lennon uses throughout the "white" album is called "Travis picking" -- named after Merle Travis. It's also the foundation of the Kansas song, "Dust in the Wind." I just searched the web and found you a brief explanation and instructional site here if you'd like to check it out. There's also a link there to a book you could look into getting. |
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Post by dennisobell on May 17, 2004 8:52:50 GMT -5
I believe the fingerpicking style John Lennon uses throughout the "white" album is called "Travis picking" -- named after Merle Travis. It's also the foundation of the Kansas song, "Dust in the Wind." I just searched the web and found you a brief explanation and instructional site here if you'd like to check it out. There's also a link there to a book you could look into getting. Hey OG: I checked out that web site that you found-it was just what I've been looking for! Thanks for the help. It's funny, I was thinking that "Dust in the Wind" would have been a good one as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but legend has it that Lennon was taught that style by Donovan while the Beatles and he were in India in "68. You're right, that style certainly found its way into alot of subsequent songs (I think that even "Octopus's Garden" uses a varation-on electric no less!). Thanks! |
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Post by Ol Geezer on May 17, 2004 11:37:25 GMT -5
Hey OG: I checked out that web site that you found-it was just what I've been looking for! Thanks for the help. It's funny, I was thinking that "Dust in the Wind" would have been a good one as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but legend has it that Lennon was taught that style by Donovan while the Beatles and he were in India in "68. You're right, that style certainly found its way into alot of subsequent songs (I think that even "Octopus's Garden" uses a varation-on electric no less!). Thanks! That's the way I've heard the story. Donovan showed it to John and George, but Paul didn't join in on all their lessons though he developed a similar style which he used on "Blackbird" in the same period (the earlier "Yesterday" was entirely different). "Puff, The Magic Dragon" was my first attempt at Travis fingerpicking. Showing my age, I suppose. Glad to be of help.... |
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Post by wierdsley on May 17, 2004 17:22:46 GMT -5
Hey Guys,,,funny, I learned how to fingerpick by learning how to play Donovan songs...doesn't make me play anything like him...or John or George for that matter. ;D Dennisobell...I learned to pick with three fingers (and thumb) because it opens up your range and speed quite a bit but I also use two for many songs. I agree that a classical book will help, there is one by a guy named Shearer I think that is pretty popular. Practice is the most important method though. When I was learning, I was in high school and had lots of time to kill in class. I drew six lines on the cover of one of my textbooks and practiced in all my classes...strange I know, but it worked great for me. Teachers and students all thought I was a lunatic though!!! Good luck!  |
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Post by wierdsley on May 17, 2004 17:25:38 GMT -5
hcoll...almost forgot...I think that Django was limited to using 2 fingers on his left/fretting hand because of burns that he suffered in an accident of some type...don't know if he also picked with 2.
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Post by mandough on May 17, 2004 20:09:12 GMT -5
I don't know how Django lost use of the other two, but all he played was with #one and two on his fret hand.
As well as looking up tab, and practicing is listening to Chet Atkins--arguably the very best beside Merle Travis.
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Post by dennisobell on May 17, 2004 20:51:07 GMT -5
Hey Guys,,,funny, I learned how to fingerpick by learning how to play Donovan songs...doesn't make me play anything like him...or John or George for that matter. ;D Dennisobell...I learned to pick with three fingers (and thumb) because it opens up your range and speed quite a bit but I also use two for many songs. I agree that a classical book will help, there is one by a guy named Shearer I think that is pretty popular. Practice is the most important method though. When I was learning, I was in high school and had lots of time to kill in class. I drew six lines on the cover of one of my textbooks and practiced in all my classes...strange I know, but it worked great for me. Teachers and students all thought I was a lunatic though!!! Good luck! Hey wierdsley: Thanks for the advice on the three-finger thing-it makes a lot more sense in the long run. I've found myself using two a lot, but probably because I'm just lazy. Three seems like the way to go. BTW, your high school story is great! |
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Post by dennisobell on May 17, 2004 21:02:55 GMT -5
I don't know how Django lost use of the other two, but all he played was with #one and two on his fret hand. As well as looking up tab, and practicing is listening to Chet Atkins--arguably the very best beside Merle Travis. I "discovered" Django about the same time I started playing guitar-truly amazing to think what he could do (I had read the same regarding his #1 & #2). I keep a CD of his in my car to listen for inspiration while I'm driving. Maybe I need some Chet Atkins as well. . . Thanks for the advice! |
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Post by JoMan on Jun 21, 2004 6:18:18 GMT -5
yeah, I'd recommend you ask Donovan to show you....
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Post by Jimboe on Jul 7, 2004 12:16:41 GMT -5
Great advice all. I`ve seen some Travis picking lessons on the Emedia beginning guitar software. It has a really good song for practicing. It`s Heart`s "Dreamboat Annie". A beautiful tune, and once you get it down, a joy to play, and listen to. Give it a rip! jimboe  |
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