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Picking accuracy

Friday, November 25, 2011

I'm learning how to flat pick on the guitar and as a long time 5-string, Scruggs-style banjo player (who is used to having 2 fingers firmly planted on the banjo head), what's the secret to being accurate in finding the string you're after withOUT having   your hand always in the same place?  Practice?

Another way to ask this: with my hand on the banjo head, I always know where my hand is in relation to the strings, because that hand doesn't move while doing rolls.  Consequently, I can always (almost) find the string I want with the picks on my fingers.  With the guitar, my hand is all over the place picking and strumming and so the only stationary point is my upper arm on the guitar.  With such a full range of motion, the likelihood of starting on the right string and finding the others as I play is much more difficult.  So how do you know where to find the exact string with the pick whenever you need it?

When I play guitar, it's hit or miss.  Mostly it's "hit," but boy it sure does feel insecure to be picking up and down on the strings and then playing a chord and then go back to find the exact string I need!  Is this something that a beginning flat picker like me just needs to get used to?  I notice that I'm getting better and better with practice, so maybe the answer is simply: practice, but I'd like to hear what other have to say if you have a moment to chime in.  Thanks in advance!

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Genre: Bluegrass
Playing Style: Unknown/None Chosen

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Playing Since: 1963
Experience Level: Novice

Interests:
[Jamming]

Occupation: Artist

Gender: Male
Age: 74

My Instruments:
5-String Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle, Alto Saxophone, Keyboards

Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Doc Watson, Russ Barenberg, The Eagles

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Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 9/10/2011
Last Visit 7/25/2013

The 5-string banjo has been my main Bluegrass instrument since 1973, but now working on Bluegrass guitar. I'm a member of Banjo Hangout and Fiddle Hangout, too. I love good instrumental pickin' music in Bluegrass, especially fiddle and banjo duets. I've always loved the guitar, too, and lately I'm inspired to learn how to flat pick. I have Russ Barenberg's book "Teach Yourself Bluegrass Guitar" and Jay Buckey's guitar books so have been working on learning the basics. I play for fun but have performed on the banjo a bit with a local guitar player. I'm a professional artist and my paintings can be seen on Facebook at Seebach Fine Art.

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