Fingerpicking

Fingerpicking, or playing fingerstyle, is a technique for playing the guitar using the fingertips and/or fingernails, rather than with a plectrum (or "pick"). It is used for classical guitar, and some other acoustic styles, but it has found its way into other genres as well, including rock and roll, although its use in such genres is relatively rare. There is a whole school of jazz guitar playing using the technique. Joe Pass was a leading exponent of the technique and currently Britain's Martin Taylor is noted for this chord-melody approach. It is not the only way to play the guitar without a pick, but it is perhaps the most common method used by professional guitar players.

Thumb and finger picks

As an alternative to using the fingertips or finger nails, some guitarists--generally country or folk-style--will use small picks attached to the fingertips of their picking hand. This is generally done in an effort to get increased volume out of the instrument.

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These "thimble"-like prosthetics are common among banjo players (Scruggs style), but are relatively uncommon among guitarists. Thumb picks, however, are more common in certain folk styles, particularly when more emphasis is desired for the bass line.

Related Topics:
Banjo - Scruggs style

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