Flatpicker Hangout - Playing Advice Forum Feed

Pick Reccomendations for a Newbie

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 18 May 2026 15:56:41 CST

Hi all- first I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Ellis and I am a law student in South Carolina. I am looking to start playing some bluegrass guitar because I am particularly fond of the style of music. My question for some of you more experienced players is this- What are some good picks that you recommend? I have seen a lot of people are partial to the Blue Chip picks, but considering I am just starting out, I am hesitant to drop that much on a pick. Additionally, I kind of wish I was able to try out some picks before committing and purchasing them, because they're a little pricier than the standard guitar pick, and, being a student, money is tight! (especially in this economy!) Thanks in advance!

Callouses...or lack thereof

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:31:32 CST

Been a while since I posted here, picked my guitar up for the first time in two years the other day. It made me remember what a beginner's fingers feel like. I remember a time when my callouses were so thick and tough they'd actually peel off in layers sometimes. Now at age 69 it doesn't seem to matter how much I play I can't seem to build any callouses...hence one reason I hadn't played in two years (one of several reasons). Does anyone else in here have a similar problem and if so what do you do? Thanks.

How do you warm up before a practice session?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:01:34 CST

Curious what other flatpickers do to warm up. I've been doing slow scale runs and a few minutes of crosspicking. Anyone have a routine they swear by?

Do you track your practice time?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:50:57 CST

I've been trying to get more intentional about practice - logging how much time I spend on different areas. Anyone else do this? Paper log, phone app, something else? It helps me stay honest about where I'm actually putting in time.

How do you warm up before a practice session?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:50:47 CST

Curious what other flatpickers do to warm up. I've been doing slow scale runs and a few minutes of crosspicking before diving into tunes. Anyone have a routine they swear by?

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” - Hank Williams tune & TAB

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:52:51 CST

The 1949 hit for Hank,, this fingerstyle arrangement is more like the B.J. Thomas version.
youtu.be/a2lBDC_KjN4?si=TL_FB53dkBeD641r

Wildwood Flower

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 09:00:51 CST

Pick-strum method

Freight Train , demo & TAB

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:06:03 CST

The classic Elizabeth Cotten tune

C Chord Shape

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:55:43 CST

Howdy, brand new member, and new bluegrass player. I having been playing pop for awhile, but am starting this new journey.

My question is which shape should I use for the C chord.
X32010, or 332010. I play the simpler version, but am wondering if I should change to the full C chord because of the boom chuck rhythm in that it can be quite fast, and maybe it will be hard to keep time by alternating my finger back and forth between the sixth and fifth string using the simpler chord. I hope this is all clear. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Open Strings versus Fretted Notes

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 14:21:58 CST

When flatpicking the melody to a fast paced fiddle tune reel, jig or hornpipe, is it common practice to always play the open string whenever possible in lieu of the 5th or 4th fret equivalent? I'm assuming yes, but are there situations where it's advantageous to play the fretted note instead of the open string? Thanks.

how many scales should you learn as a beginner?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:46:27 CST

I just learned my first 2 octave G scale on the guitar. I plan on getting all or most of the G scales up the neck. My question is How many other scales are essential to know?

Newbie Questions

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:56:21 CST

I'm new to playing bluegrass guitar and have a few questions.

What's the difference between flatpicking and crosspicking?
Are there advantages/disadvantages to either style?
Which is better for Bluegrass?
What thickness or kind of pick should I be Using?
What are the first 10 licks I should learn?
Should I learn licks in every key or just in G at first
How important is it to pick up and down, it feels more natural just to pick down is that normal?

Thanks, Juan Solo

Beginner Guitar licks

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 08:56:17 CST

I've played guitar for 4 years and banjo for a year and a half, and I just started flat-picking about 2 months ago.
There are 3 basic licks for banjo that fit almost any song for beginners, depending on what the root note is.
Is there anything like that for beginner flat-picking?

Thanks, Juan Solo

Right hand picking problem

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:17:23 CST

Hi folks,

Ive just got into flatpicking over the last year and have been progressing steadily. I've a few fiddle tunes I'm working on; been playing them at 50-60bpm. That's fine. As I up the tempo, I hear a clicking sound to the right. I analyse and realise that when I pick the string with the plectrum, the tip of it is actually hitting the guitar body beneath the strings. Any advice on how I can stop this? As I say, it's all fine at slower tempo. Why is my RH technique changing? And what can I do to fix it? Kind regards, Sean

Bluegrass lead scales/patterns

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 5 Dec 2024 05:52:55 CST

I’m currently learning my diatonic scales in G but I’d like to know what you bluegrass guys use to get around the fretboard. Is there certain patterns that y’all use in the flat picking circles? I played mandolin for a couple of years and there are two scale shapes/patterns that we use a lot to move around the fretboard…I wonder if there’s something similar for guitar! I feel overwhelmed with scales and I really need some guidance on what to concentrate on for lead playing.

New to flatpicking where to start?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 6 Sep 2024 13:06:54 CST

I have been a chord /rhythm player for 50 years. I want to learn Flatpicking. Where / how do I start? Thanks

Flatpicking Irish Tunes - Seeking Instructional Info

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:11:55 CST

Here is info abbout my background. I flatpick fiddle tunes on guitar. I used to play lots of tunes on the fiddle using standard music notation. My fiddle repertoire included lots of Irish tunes. I can read standard notation and play fiddle tunes. When I started doing this I realized it would be difficult to play with the same noting dynamics. In addition, some Irish music ornamentation is not very difficult to accomplish on fiddle, but is a lot harder to play on the guitar. Don't know much about alternate guitar tunings either..

So I want to read musical notation and flatpick Irish tunes and well as traditional North American fiddle tunes. I want each type of Irish tune, jig/hornpipe/reel/polka to sound right. I have bodhran rhythm track files for each type of Irish tune and that will help develop timing/speed. It should help some with dynamics some. My fiddle books, like Peter Cooper's "The Complete Irish
Fiddler" will help with dynamics but application can be much more difficult than just reading information. An experienced person who flatpicks Irish tunes will probably have list of "do/don't"
suggestion, and possibly the name of a very good publication.

Flatpcking Irish tunes will dramatially increase the amount of and types of ornamentation I use.
Applying different and more types of ornamentation will enable me to improve the quality of the tunes in current playing repertoire - traditional North American fiddle tunes.

Thanks in advance for your assistance

Looking for Old Time guitar book. This one any good?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 04:09:15 CST

Any opinions on this book?

12 String Tuning - E or D

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:08:36 CST

Hello,
I'm new to the forum. I have 2 Martin X Series, a 6 string and a 12 string. I have been told that I should keep the 12 string tuned to D to relieve pressure on the neck. I really don't like having them tuned different and a capo doesn't seem to work very well on a 12 string. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks