How To Pick Acoustic Guitar - Doc Watson Used a Thumb Pick

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by: karlvcohen
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Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 Time: 1:04 PM
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There are literally hundreds of 1000's and possibly millions of acoustic guitar players around the world. It's the most well-liked musical instrument by far, due to it's portability and the truth that you can get an elementary tune out of it in a couple of weeks.

I'm going to talk about 'acoustic blues guitar' because this is my major interest and I want to talk about finger picking approaches. Normally, electric guitarists use a plectrum of some variety to pluck the strings in and up down motion. Naturally, there are always exceptions, like Mark Knopfler, who uses his naked fingers to play both electric and acoustic guitars.

His uncommon style induced Chet Atkins to say "I don't understand how he's doing, but he can sure do it! " You don't need to adhere to the norm - we can make our own rules, but we need to start somewhere. This beginning point is usually focused on preceding master players. In the genre of acoustic blues guitar, this implies folks such as Robert Johnson, Lightnin' Hopkins, Doc Watson, Reverend Gary Davis and many others.

Naturally there are many versions in style, but pickers can be broadly divided into two classes - individuals who wear finger picks and those that don't. We'll disregard how many picking fingers these folks applied for now. I've seen ragtime blues performers execute competently with up to 3 finger picks on the right hand, which didn't include the thumb! At the other end of the spectrum, most master pickers only use one, either steel or plastic.

Picks for the fingers.

I favor a steel finger pick, as they can be bent a little so that it's tip lines up with the contact area of a naked finger hitting a string. This means there's no adjustment required for the angle of attack. Plastic finger picks are usually thicker and stick out a little more, so an realignment in plucking technique is necessary. This is essential if performing tunes that need picks, and some that don't, for instance.

Thumb-pick versus naked thumb.

Typically, the pick gives a sharper, louder sound and amplifies somewhat. Some striking techniques are easier to achieve in this way, such as 'throwing' the thumb on to the string producing a percussive sound. A considerable benefit is that it saves the thumb from becoming sore. Bare finger players have to practice quite often in order to develop a heavy callous so that they can perform in comfort. Generally, picks are easier to get between the strings, so are stellar for picking single strings in rapid succession.

Bare fingers technique.

A naked thumb can hook behind a string, drag it away from the sound board of the guitar and let it snap back, making an accented beat that can be effective in several styles of blues. In general, naked fingers are very precise and can create a good bouncy technique if playing ragtime guitar, either Scott Joplin-type piano rags or original ragtime blues in the style of Blind Blake. The thumb rolls and triplets showcased in the latter's music make it really difficult to perform with finger picks.

Many of the latter stylists, like Chet Atkins, used strengthened finger nails. I doubt if a lot of older blues guitarists utilized this approach, but who can say? Many Texas guitarists favored a plastic thumb pick and naked fingers, generally simply using one finger of the right hand with remarkable dexterity. Blind Blake seemed to have employed bare fingers and and several contemporary blues men recollected that he had a hole in his right hand thumb, where it was worn down by the bass strings of his guitar.


The mysterious Willie Walker, who only registered two sides in the 20s, appeared to be a true master of the ragtime technique. His music feature lightning quick solitary string runs which appear tough if employing the thumb and index finger alternately striking the strings. It seems probable that he utilized a plectrum held in between thumb and forefinger, using this to alternate the bass rhythm while plucking with one or two fingers.

There are quite a few types of finger picking and we can rely on the example of the fantastic guitar masters to assist us to produce our own strategies as we search for the ideal blues guitar lessons.

About the Author

Author is an expert writer on blues guitar and play the blues.