Pick and Fingers Technique
Some Rock fingerpickers prefer to use the pick (plectrum) with the right hand fingers.
This technique involves some notes to be played with the pick, held by the right hand thumb (p) and first finger (i). The right hand middle (m) and ring (a) fingers are also used to pick the strings. This lesson will demonstrate some of the ways this technique is used. Study the following photo showing the position of the pick and the right hand fingers.
Single Note Licks
First a couple of relatively simple single note licks using the pick and fingers technique. Try playing the next exercises using the pick on the 3rd string and the m finger on the 2nd string. The letter k will be used to indicate when the pick is used.
For the next example try using the pick (k) to play the 4th and 3rd strings and the m finger to play the 1st string.
Pick and Fingers Pinch
The pick and fingers technique is often used to pinch two strings at the same time. This is particularly useful when you wish to pick the 3rd and 1st strings together or the 4th and 2nd strings together.
The next example, played within the minor pentatonic pattern in E, similar to exercises learned from Lesson 5 except for the different right hand technique. Play first using fingers only, then with the pick and compare the two versions.
The next lick involves using the m and a fingers to play the 2nd and 1st strings together. The pick is used to play the notes on the 4th and 3rd strings.
Now a lick that pinches the three strings together using the pick, m and a fingers. Try playing this lick using only a pick, then only the fingers and then combining the pick and fingers together.
Arpeggio Style With Pick and Fingers
The arpeggio style can also be adapted to the pick and fingers technique. The following example uses the pick on the two lower notes within each four string chord shape. A new chord shape is introduced in the second bar, major seventh root five.
Emaj7
Alternating Thumb Style With Pick And
Now an example of combining the alternating thumb style with the pick and fingers.
Intervals - Sixths
The distance between two notes within a scale is known as an interval. An interval of six notes is known as a sixth. Sixths can be incorporated into the pick and fingers technique.
The most common sixth intervals are played on the 1st and 3rd strings, and the 2nd and 4th strings as shown in the following diagrams. Optional sixth intervals are also highlighted. The first diagram shown is in the C position, reference point (key note) is on the 1st string, 8th fret. The second diagram is in the G position, key note on the 2nd string, 8th fret.
Sixths - Key of
Sixths - Key of
The following licks make use of sixths.
Intervals - Thirds
An interval of three notes is known as a third. The most common third intervals are shown in the following diagrams. Optional third intervals are also highlighted. The first diagram shown is in the G position, key note on the 2nd string, 8th fret. The second diagram is in the E position, key note on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
Thirds - Key of
Thirds - Key of
The final example in this lesson is a twelve bar Blues-Rock progression that makes use of thirds. Sixths are also played in bar 4.
