Fingerstyle as a universal technique

[jazzloverfat]

I was reminded about this show where she talks about her jazz tone, around 24min in:

and then Tim Lerch talks a bit about it too at 1h 18min in or so:

And for something slightly different, have a look at this, 22min in - I really like how he emulates a pick with the thumbnail:

[GuyBoden]

Accompaniment with fingerstyle picking only, the basics by the great 'Martin Taylor'.

[StefanoJazzChorus120]

Insane technique.

I believe playing with fingers is more challenging unless you're an elite guitarist

[lawson-stone]

Insane technique.

I believe playing with fingers is more challenging unless you're an elite guitarist

I rather think it depends on what you started with. I started out finger style, mainly played that during the Folk Music Scare of the 1970's (when it almost caught on) and only used a pick for strumming chords. When I moved into jazz, I kept playing finger style but soon ran into the horn-like lines that so many guitarists I enjoyed listening to were playing, so started getting more serious with the pick.

Both have their challenges and limitations. A good player should be comfortable with both.

[James W]

Insane technique.

I believe playing with fingers is more challenging unless you're an elite guitarist

Thanks for sharing the video. Very formidable.

I don't think I'm an elite guitarist but I find using a plectrum correctly more challenging than fingers. That is to say that like others I find the plectrum superficially easier to achieve speed with, but personally much harder to use for actual music... I think building fingerstyle technique is similar in a way to building left-hand technique, while the plectrum is something else altogether.

[James W]

Here's another fingerstyle cat -

[GuyBoden]

Here's another fingerstyle cat -

I really like it, incredible fingerstyle playing.

[Llewlyn]

Francesco is pretty awesome

BTW I am also in the circle of those who ditched the pick and went full fingers. The initial difficulties are tone production and speed for lines (I use the flesh of my fingertips) but can be done with a bit of training

Ll.

[jazzyfan]

Francesco is pretty awesome

BTW I am also in the circle of those who ditched the pick and went full fingers. The initial difficulties are tone production and speed for lines (I use the flesh of my fingertips) but can be done with a bit of training

Ll.

Llewlyn,
Do you use the classical technique?
What's your top speed for lines?

[StefanoJazzChorus120]

I was referring to Quartarone's lines, I should have specified.