Pick vs. Fingers

  As we've seen in the previous months, there are a number of different decisions that one has to make about playing guitar. Should I play electric or acoustic? If I choose electric, which brand should I pick? If I choose acoustic, should I buy a nylon string or a steel string? And hey, what exactly is a Twelve String Guitar? Well the good news is that these decisions are all part of the fun of playing a musical instrument. Sort of  like having to choose between cake and pie for dessert. However, one decision which needs to be made early on, which is  important, is how to pluck the strings. Some people use a pick, some use their fingers, and others do something in between. Here is an explanation of the three most useful and common modes of plucking the strings of the Guitar.

• Pick / Plectrum: A pick for those who've never seen one, is a small triangular piece of plastic used for striking the strings of a Guitar. It's generally held between the thumb and index fingers of the strumming hand. The benefits of using a pick are that it's generally the fastest method of playing single note lines, it has a unique percussive type of quality when used for strumming, and it's usually easier to master than finger style. While there are a number of different styles, thicknesses,  and brands of picks, it really is just a matter of personal taste as to which one is best for you. As far as technique is concerned, you'll get the most out of using a pick if you use it in a down and up motion. A pick is used in pretty much every style of Guitar Playing except Classical.

• Finger Style: The standard method of playing Classical Guitar, this approach involves using the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers of the plucking hand. Sometimes the pinky finger is used, sometimes only the thumb, index and middle are used, but it generally involves using more than one finger. While it can be used for Classical, Jazz, Country, or Latin, Finger style Guitar Playing really shines when used for polyphonic music. As far as whether to use your nails or not, yes for Classical and the rest is up for grabs.

• Pick and Fingers / Hybrid: The final method in our list is a combination of the first two mentioned : Pick and Fingers. For this method of Playing Guitar, a pick is held between the thumb and index fingers of the plucking hand, while the middle, ring, and sometimes pinky are used as well. In many ways, this is a good compromise between pick and finger style playing ; many of the benefits of each style are synthesized into one style. While pick and fingers can be used in really any style of Guitar Playing (except Classical), it's generally seen being used in Country and Jazz.

  Well there you have it! Three time tested methods for picking the Guitar. My only suggestion is please do try one of the above methods of playing Guitar. When you're first starting out, trying to invent your own style of picking is typically not a good idea. I've observed many Students over the past ten years try to just use their thumb to pluck the strings thinking this was the easy way out. Unfortunately, while this can work in the beginning, it usually closes more doors than opens them. However, if you immerse yourself in one of these three styles, you'll be on your way to getting a real handle on how to play the Guitar. Have fun and good luck!


Tune in next week for the next installment of Have Guitar Will Travel.

Chord Scales

  Have you ever tried to solo over a chord and it just didn't sound right? I think we all have. Often times, it has to do with trying to fit a square peg into a round role type of situation. What I mean is that often the scales that we know and use are either the Major/Minor scale or some form of Pentatonic Scale. The problem is that while those are arguably the most important scales to learn, they don't always fit in every situation. Here is where the concept of Chord Scales comes in handy.

  If you've ever tried to jam over an F7 chord, you may have noticed that using the F major Scale doesn't exactly work 100%. And there's a good reason for this - one of the notes in the F major Scale doesn't fit the chord F7. More specifically, if we break down a F7 chord we get four notes: F - A - C - Eb. In comparison, a breakdown of the F major Scale reveals seven notes: F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F. Notice the discrepancy? The F7 chord has an Eb and the F major Scale has an E. Now we could just avoid playing Eb and E altogether, but there's another solution.

  If we simply adjust the F major Scale so that it has an Eb rather than an E, our problem will be solved. And by doing this, we are essential playing an F Mixolydian Scale. The F Mixolydian Scale which is really derived from the Bb Major Scale is spelled: F - G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F. So, it's a perfect candidate for our F7 jam.

  Below is a diagram of the F Mixolydian Scale. Make sure to play it on the first fret as it is a movable shape and can be transposed to all 12 keys. For further explanation of this topic, click here. Otherwise, make sure to go over it with an instructor if possible and definitely spend as much time as you can learning the unique sound of the scale. Remember, being able to hear music is just as important as learning scale patterns on the neck of the Guitar! Have fun!

Tune in next week for the next installment of Have Guitar Will Travel.