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Never learned it before, now that I have a tenor, it seems like a thing to do. I feel like I should have a Martin though. :-)
This latest craze is inspired by my niece singing along to "Dust in the Wind" at our xmas eve virtual family gathering.
I can't play guitar very well, so my guitar-envy is driving me to do this. :-)
Starting here, which seems like more than enough for a beginner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuKzRveOV00
I enjoy playing finger style on my tenor. I tune the C string up to a D for an open tuning.
Have fun!
It's my absolute favourite way of playing, since I was 10 - with a brief pause of 10 years when I picked up guitar again (ha ha);
I'm a relative newbie to plectrum anyways - I even play irish bouzouki fingerstyle - enjoy the learning journey!
Thanks guys. I am watching tons of fingerpicking videos. I had no idea how much you could do with that kind of playing style. It is gradually sinking in that I just discovered a whole new world of playing. 4 strings is a bit limited compared to 6 (although easier on my aging hands and brain), still I am finding I can get a lot out of 4 strings.
I ordered a bunch of fingerpicks (picks are like pokemon - have to try them all :-) ). Amazon prime to the rescue as usual.
I am actually thinking about nails too, as a last resort, I am not the manicure or glue-on nails type, but if that is what works I'll have to do it.
The marvelous custom Davey Stuart tenor is also holding it's own nicely with the new style.
Best xmas present in years in some ways, stuck at home with Covid-19 is time I am putting to good use, as a church musician it is for His service really. :-)
Nonsense :) Six strings = overkill and besides everyone plays six stringQuote:
Originally Posted by kurth83
That's my first resort... I leave the left corner nails of my right hand a bit longer. You don't need six inch nails - leave that to DIY ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by kurth83
Here's me playing a self written tune - nails only.
https://youtu.be/fXrzMNuLUSo
... but yeah there's the Martin Simpson route of silk wrapping... if C19 restrictions let you go to a nail bar. I don't think it's needed, and I have never needed it. Sure, they break, but my livelihood doesn't depend on it, and they grow back soon as.
I just cannot get on with fingerpicks. My thumb always feels like it's waving in an empty auditorium!!
NIIIICE - sounds like a keeper!Quote:
Originally Posted by kurth83
That’s really a pretty piece, Rob. Guitar is lovely, too!
Flesh only, Travis style.
I personally thought my anti six string comment would garner more comments ha haQuote:
Originally Posted by MB-Octo
As a long-time fingertstyle guitarist, I find it more challenging to switch to four strings. I can’t just use the alternating Travis style (doesn’t sound right) and I find that I need to pay more attention to what my thumb is doing. One fun way I’ve found to mess around (i.e., learn) with my tenor guitar is to just pick a nice chord progression and see what runs I can squeeze in between the chord changes. I have a really nice Steve Parks tenor that I happened across at the beginning of the pandemic and need to spend more time with it.
Not being able to pass up an interesting instrument, I belong to the jack of all trades, master of none school of music - with 4, 6, 8, 12, and 31 strings to play with.
It’s true that everybody plays 6 strings, but only 3 chords and not well..:) I bow to the Lord of Badgers - a very nice tune!
- Denis
“If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good”
I chuckled at the anti-six string comment, and really enjoyed your playing. Now is not the right time for me to give a tenor a try, but you have convinced me that when the right time arrives, I should do it. What a soothing sound your guitar has. Thanks for posting this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord of the Badgers
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Actually I will clarify the six string comment - even though it's off topic - I massively admire people who are comfy with six string and know their ways around all those extra intervals.
I like the "limiting" factor. It's inspiring to me. Six strings feels like being overwhelmed with choice to my mind. I like spaces between notes too. I like how it forces me to think of approaches not just chords and familiar scales. Four courses means different inversions, different textures. Tuning to GDgd or GDad forces that even more. I like the surprises of leaving an open string or so.
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That piece is beautiful, Rob...but what about limiting the finger aspect as well to just our distinctive opposable ally? To wit:
https://youtu.be/FfVXJhg4TxA
Full disclosure: My first "frets" teacher tried to get me into finger-style years back on 6-string but piano playing was more important to me then. I admire finger pickers & have been fortunate to play alongside some great ones!