Video Question: Playing With a Thumbpick

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Date: September 15th, 2009 | Length: 1.75 | Instructor: DJ Phillips

Quick question, I've noticed that some really good guitar players will play with the thumb pick, from Nils Lofren to some of the instructors at JamPlay. I am trying to change up my style by learning how to use the thumbpick for some country and bluegrass music. Does JamPlay have any lessons on techniques for using the thumbpick such as exercises and hints? Thanks, Ron Terranova. 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.

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Crackspackelpop asks, "I've just recently started playing the guitar and find your site very helpful. However, I'm now at the point where I'm starting into barre chords. When I play these types of chords my hand fatigues rather quickly. My question is this: Are there any types of guitar playing exercises that I can do to build up hand strength? Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the excellent work. Ron" View Response

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acoustic electric vs. acoustic - May 6th, 2008 (1 minutes, 34 seconds)

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Strumming Patterns and Timing - April 21st, 2009 (4 minutes, 24 seconds)

Lucasholland asked "Hello, I'm following Steve's lessons and am practicing 2 chord progressions (G, Em, C, D7, and G, Em, Am, D7) using the 5 strumming patterns he teaches with my metronome. This works fine for all the strumming patterns except pattern D (d, d, u, pause, up, down, up / d, d, u, u, pause, u,d,u). The problem is (I think) that I only have beats per measure. So I start the first down-strum on the first beat. The up-strum should be before the second beat, right? So... what I think is confusing me is that I also have strum on the offbeat... Could you show me how to practice the 2 variations on the strumming pattern (variation 1: d, d, u, pause, up, down, up; variation 2: d, d, u, u, pause, u,d,u)) with a metronome (e.g. on which beat to strum etc.)? Thanks! Lucas." View Response

- July 10th, 2008 (2 minutes, 60 seconds)

Robearle asks, "Dear Brad/Dave. I'm having some trouble stringing up my guitar. You know those little brass loops you get on the ends of the strings? Well, I have a hell of a job getting them through the tuning posts, in the end, i have to cut them off, just so's i can get the damned string through, and just when i'm at the point of of thinking Ernie Ball couldn't get any thicker if he ate a whale omlette, I discover that there is nothing at the other end of the string to keep it in the bridge. Do you know of any other makes that put the little brass loops at the other end of the string ? cheers, Rob. " View Response