Country Guitar

[jimk]

I've been quite taken by all sorts of hybrid style guitar playing, first with Roger McGuinn's approach, and now with this guy.



I was wondering if anyone on the RRF plays that style?
JimK

[sloop_john_b]

I was wondering if anyone on the RRF plays that style?

Yes, I do!

I certainly would not profess to being able to play like Danny Gatton, but one thing I have taken from him is his picking style. When I play, no matter what style I'm playing (country or otherwise), I am always using my middle and ring fingers to pluck in addition to flatpicking. It looks like Danny uses his pinky as well which I haven't tried/found a need to try.

I have a YT video that shows me doing a bit of this sort of picking, but I have come a long way since then even so I am hesitant to post it here. I'll see if I can make a new one for ya tonight or tomorrow Jim.

[jimk]

Great, John. Looking forward to seeing that. BTW, I find it interesting that telecasters seem to be a favorite guitar among country guys who play in that style. Just out of curiosity, I'd love to go to a confluence and borrow somebody's 330 or 360 for a few minutes and see how some of that works. (I bet it would.)

Having been a finger picker since high school days, I've found it not difficult at all to switch over to hybrid picking. Mostly I play that way [hybrid style] when I pick up either of my electrics, and revert back to finger picking when I pick up my acoustics.

Also interesting to me is that there's a straight line of progression from the picking on TTT, to the stuff Danny Gatton, or James Burton, or Roy Buchanan plays.

JimK

[sloop_john_b]

One thing I always have trouble with is keeping my right hand fingernails long. Since I play at least one bass gig a week, having long nails on my right hand is simply not in the equation. I have learned to compensate as best I can but this would probably be easier if I were able to keep my nails a bit longer.

[jimk]

Many years ago, I started using finger picks while playing acoustic guitar. I still do. So when I switch over to electric, I merely take off the finger pick from my index finger, and switch it over to my ring finger. Finger picks can feel a little clumsy at first. I remember it well. But in the long run, it paid off giving my acoustic guitar playing a very bright, sparkling sound.

JimK

[cjj]

Interesting. Jim, you mention using finger picks on your index and middle for acoustic, then switching to middle and ring for electric. So, on electric are you using a flat pick like Danny? What about acoustic? Do you use a thumb pick?

Which brings up my main question, do people ever use a thumb pick and finger picks with electric guitar? Picks on thumb, index, and middle are pretty standard fare for banjo and steel guitar (even electric steel), but it doesn't seem to be used on regular electric guitars much. Just wondering why...

[jps]

Nice playing!

This guy ain't too shabby, either:

[jimk]

Interesting. Jim, you mention using finger picks on your index and middle for acoustic, then switching to middle and ring for electric. So, on electric are you using a flat pick like Danny? What about acoustic? Do you use a thumb pick?

Yes, on electric I use a flat pick like both Danny and Roger McGuinn do. And when I switch over to acoustic, usually (but not always) I'll use a thumb pick. There are a couple of songs where I'll hybrid pick on an acoustic guitar.

Which brings up my main question, do people ever use a thumb pick and finger picks with electric guitar? Picks on thumb, index, and middle are pretty standard fare for banjo and steel guitar (even electric steel), but it doesn't seem to be used on regular electric guitars much. Just wondering why...

Merle Travis used a thumb pick, but I think he used the finger nail of his index finger. Chet Atkins used a thumb pick, and bare fingers. I'm not sure what Doc Watson uses when he finger picks. It may be a thumb pick and finger nails.

I know a bass player who uses a flat pick held between thumb and index and a finger pick on both the middle and ring fingers. I've never seen that before.

JimK

[robbo63]

Which brings up my main question, do people ever use a thumb pick and finger picks with electric guitar? Picks on thumb, index, and middle are pretty standard fare for banjo and steel guitar (even electric steel), but it doesn't seem to be used on regular electric guitars much. Just wondering why...

Johnny Winter: thumb pick. Freddie King: thumb pick and index finger pick.

[peewee]

There are loads of players here in DC that use a hybrid right hand technique, myself included - although I play nothing like Danny. Seems that most will use a flat pick with at least the middle finger and then there are the straight up Gatton disciples -- like Dave Chappell, Jim Stephanson, Chick Hall, Jr. and Mike Melchione -- that use a flat pick with the middle and ring fingers & sometimes incorporate the pinky as well. One thing we're not short on here is influence from Danny Gatton! I saw him numerous times during the '80s all over DC in places like Club Soda and The Gentry as well as Beneath It All and Friendship Station. Never a dull moment!

Another thing to remember is that Gatton was also a monster banjo player from the time he was a kid so like McGuinn, he incorporated that roll style technique into his guitar playing.

[bartyclue]

Yeah.. these guys can play