It Could Happen to You

[Mark Kleinhaut]

A classic tune!

[Mark Kleinhaut]

The challenge of late is to find fluidity in single lines when finger picking that matches what can be done with the pick.

[Ingo Lee]

Well your fluidity is certainly very good Mark. I guess choosing between pick and fingers is always an issue, I remember seeing Joe Pass switch between the two in the middle of a tune. And there's always the hybrid picking thing. The classical guys talk a lot about blending legato and tirando but I guess you're wanting more speed from finger picking? Because Holdsworth pretty much proved that legato is pretty darn fast!

[Mark Kleinhaut]

Well your fluidity is certainly very good Mark. I guess choosing between pick and fingers is always an issue, I remember seeing Joe Pass switch between the two in the middle of a tune. And there's always the hybrid picking thing. The classical guys talk a lot about blending legato and tirando but I guess you're wanting more speed from finger picking? Because Holdsworth pretty much proved that legato is pretty darn fast!

Thanks! It’s seems I’m forever flipping between fingerstyle and pick, and hybrid too. The flamenco guys have monster speed with fingers alone, so it’s entirely possible. Matteo Mancuso is also a great example of what’s possible (though I probably won’t ever get there).

[Ingo Lee]

Thanks! It’s seems I’m forever flipping between fingerstyle and pick, and hybrid too. The flamenco guys have monster speed with fingers alone, so it’s entirely possible. Matteo Mancuso is also a great example of what’s possible (though I probably won’t ever get there).

For myself Holdsworth style left hand legato is much more practical than right hand tirando style. Of course I'm nowhere near his velocity (nor would I want to play that style). What helps a lot with that approach is to have light strings with a low action. What gauge strings are you using if I might ask?

[Mark Kleinhaut]

For myself Holdsworth style left hand legato is much more practical than right hand tirando style. Of course I'm nowhere near his velocity (nor would I want to play that style). What helps a lot with that approach is to have light strings with a low action. What gauge strings are you using if I might ask?

I’m not a fan of light gauges either in tone or feel. Tone is always the top priority since it’s the actual voice of the instrument. I also find a little resistance to be critical for dynamics and articulation and I just don’t feel that with anything lighter.

I use .012 roundwounds with round core, pure nickel (Stringjoy Broadways to be exact).