My nebulous advice would be "whatever works" for you. It also depends on what style you want to play. If you're into fusion, starting w/ fingerstyle studies probably isn't the most applicable. However, putting in some time w/ some classical studies, and a teacher that can teach that style, will not be time wasted. Learning about the guitar, and how to play it, never gets wasted.
I know guys that play exclusively with a pick, hybrid pick and fingers, and fingers only. You can find pros that fall into each category. Other players use a combination of techniques depending on what the song/performance calls for.
Personally, I incorporate all of the techniques in my playing, though I'm usually playing with pick and fingers if I am playing w/ other people. Sometimes, I'll go fingers only for comping, but that all depends on the situation. My right hand technique is OK for what I play, but not on the same level as anyone that has studied classical guitar for any amount of time.
Best of luck,
-- Mike
--- In jazz_gui...@yahoogroups.com, "tonybrown94" <tonybrown94@...> wrote:
> Hey guys,
> I'm new to jazz guitar, well guitar in general, and I was wondering which right hand technique is better for jazz guitar. I research hybridpicking and they list being only able to pluck four notes at a time as a disadvantage but isn't that the case with fingerstyle as well? In fingerstyle, from my research, you don't use the pinky so that would leave you with 4 fingers like hybrid. Could someone address this and please feel free to comment on right hand technique as it pertains to jazz guitar. Thanks
I'm new to jazz guitar, well guitar in general, and I was wondering which right hand technique is better for jazz guitar. I research hybridpicking and they list being only able to pluck four notes at a time as a disadvantage but isn't that the case with fingerstyle as well? In fingerstyle, from my research, you don't use the pinky so that would leave you with 4 fingers like hybrid. Could someone address this and please feel free to comment on right hand technique as it pertains to jazz guitar. Thanks
This is a pretty personal thing. I for one can't get into hybrid pick/fingers @ all, although I know folks that do really well with it. I tend to gravitate bet'n using a pick exclusively, and using fingers exclusively, depending on the situation. Years ago, I used to put the pick in my mouth when I was using fingers, but somewhere along the line, I developed the "technique" of holding the pick bet'n the knuckles (nearest my palm) of my 1st & 2nd fingers. Don't ask me how it happened, but it works really well, and it enables me to switch bet'n styles pretty seamlessly.
I think Steve Khan does the same thing, & he arrived at it in pretty much the same way I did, it just "happened". My suggestion is you try different approaches, and let yours develop. Of course, there's not much point to playing w/ fingers if you don't have some technique in there, so you may want to explore some classical techniques, or maybe even bluegrass-type stuff, or Brazilian approaches, in order to arrive at an approach that suits you and your playing. If you can, take some lessons with someone who can give you insight(s) into right-hand approaches, and go from there.
Good luck, and enjoy the process!
Cheers, JV
Juan Vega
In a message dated 11/10/2009 8:06:49 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
I'm new to jazz guitar, well guitar in general, and I was wondering which right hand technique is better for jazz guitar. I research hybridpicking and they list being only able to pluck four notes at a time as a disadvantage but isn't that the case with fingerstyle as well? In fingerstyle, from my research, you don't use the pinky so that would leave you with 4 fingers like hybrid. Could someone address this and please feel free to comment on right hand technique as it pertains to jazz guitar. Thanks
........
Listening and watching a handful of jazz pickers like Jim Hall (who switches on and off from pick to fingers), Joe Pass (same pick/finger switching), Ed Bickert, Gene Bertoncini, Lenny Breau and others over the years, I've picked up some of their technique by example of using four fingers (excluding the pinky) as a most reliable picking method for jazz ...especially for chord melody ..._,_._,___
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> I'm new to jazz guitar, well guitar in general, and I was wondering which right hand technique is better for jazz guitar. I research hybridpicking and they list being only able to pluck four notes at a time as a disadvantage but isn't that the case with fingerstyle as well? In fingerstyle, from my research, you don't use the pinky so that would leave you with 4 fingers like hybrid. Could someone address this and please feel free to comment on right hand technique as it pertains to jazz guitar. Thanks
I've been a fingerstyle player for over 50 years, and I've almost always used a thumbpick and i-m-a (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) fingers, rarely the pinkie. Lately I've been using the thumbnail instead of the thumbpick for some things. I rarely use a flat pick, I haven’t even had one for most of my playing lifetime. I'm not against them, it's just not my style.
I took classical lessons for several years a while ago to sharpen up both my right and left hand techniques after a playing hiatus. It was a revelation, and worth every penny I paid (besides being a lot of fun). I play noticeably more cleanly than before.
In answer to the questions of which technique is better for jazz guitar, my answer would be whatever works for you. There isn't any "best." It's always good to be flexible, though. I'd suggest a few lessons in the various techniques. Lessons can speed up learning a lot.
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