TONE PRODUCTION | giddy-guitarists

FINGER PICKING: TONE PRODUCTION

In finger-picking, since you are using your fingers to pluck the strings, it is harder to get a clear sound. To do so, you need to use the right technique. In this lesson, we'll learn how to get the right tone production to get you ready for some finger-picking solos!

To produce a clear sound when finger-picking, your flesh and nail must pluck the string simultaneously. This is a great technique for those out there who have medium-lengthed fingernails. The nail produces a tin-like sound that is good for certain musical occassions, while the flesh of the finger tip deadens the sound, creating a round & full tone that is beautifully played when the string is plucked at the initial contact. This technique is especially important for the index, middle, and ring finger. However, all 4 of the fingers should come in contact with the string at a slight angle to create an even better tone.

NOTE: If there is a feeling of catching, or a clicking noise while you play, there are one out of two that may be the cause: (1) The nail may be too long, or improperly filed, meaning that your nails have become rough and need to be smoothed. (2) The i, m, and a fingers (index, middle, ring) may be in the wrong position, they may be too slanted to one when they should be almost perpendicular to the strings, which forces the nail to touch the string before the flesh can deaden the tin-like sound, creating a clicking noise.

One more thing, when finger-picking, try not to move your wrist too much but rather move your fingers to pluck the strings. This may be hard to adjust to for first-timers, but you can use your pinkie as a anchor in order to stop the wrist from moving. Just lightly press your pinkie against the pickguard region of your guitar's body.