Video Question: Thumbpick

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Date: June 18th, 2008 | Length: 2.19 | Instructor: Brad Henecke

Dakota08 asks, "Hey, recently Ive decided to switch my fingerpicking from just my fingers, to a thumbpick.And it seems like the strings I play with the thumbpick seem to overpower the sound that my other 3 fingers makes. Its almost like I cant even hear the strings I hear that I pluck with my fingers now. How do you solve that?" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

Strumming - December 11th, 2007 (3 minutes, 11 seconds)

Zcarter asks, "Is there any correct way to "strum" when using the guitar? I have been strumming a specific way for a long time and I think it works okay, however one of my friends said if I keep strumming this specific way, it will be more difficult to play songs in the long run. Does it really matter how I strum? Currently, I hold the pick in between my thumb and index finger, but I think it may be a different way than most people... Thanks! Zac" View Response

Numbed and Sore Fingers - October 10th, 2007 (2 minutes, 30 seconds)

Brandon says, "I was wondering if there was any way to cut down on the amount of numbness i get in my left hand after practicing on my guitar? I only recently started playing and have found the numbness on my fingertips to be a nuisance at my job. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated :)" View Response

Alternate Picking Hand Positioning - August 2nd, 2007 (6 minutes, 58 seconds)

Sohail288 asks, "Can there be a lesson that shows how to alternate pick faster and also detailing the correct posture for optimum speed." View Response

Black Sabbath Paranoid - October 10th, 2007 (0 minutes, 58 seconds)

Metalman says ,"Hello my name is David,i was wondering if you guys can teach me the song my favorite black sabbath song Paranoid. Thank You P.S.-you have truly sent me along way in my electric guitar learning experience and i Thank all of you very much.." View Response

- August 5th, 2008 (4 minutes, 37 seconds)

Rwr_1play asks, "I would like to pose this question to Jim Deeming. First I have to say that your finger picking style is absoutley beautiful. I am a huge fan of Chet Atkins, and when I discovered you taught this style, I just had to try it out. O.K. first the three chords in lesson 7, G,C and D. I do fine with the C and D chords. It is the G chord that is giving my pinky a fit. Now I can grab the G OK using fore finger, middle and ring finger. They all are not perfect yet which brings me to the main question. When I fret a chord my fingers tips are soft and my finger nail hits the fret board causing some buzzing. Also I have small hands. For example, If you measure from tip of the finger to where it connects to the palm of your hand, my left hand fore finger is 2.5 inches long, middle finger is 3 inches, ring finger is 2 and 5/8 inches and pinky is 2 and 1/4 inches long. Will this be a problem in learning your style of picking. If I get a video response would It be asking to much for you to tell me the length of your left hand fingers. If I am in the ball park, sure would be a big incentive. Thanks Jim, really do appreciate you." View Response