I had a similar experience, but I picked up the thumbpick. It was during the covid lockdowns, I wasn't going out, wasn't playing any gigs or even jamming, I decided to work on using a thumbpick, which I had tried years ago but never really got the hang of it. But this time was different, I had plenty of time to suck while not performing in front of anyone, and slowly I got it. It started with maybe 25% thumbpick and 75% flat pick; then 50/50, then 75% thumbpick and 25% flatpick; and slowly I just kept playing more and more stuff with the thumbpick. I still revert to a flatpick for just a few songs, but end up using a thumbpick for about 95% of the time during a gig. And yeah, the thumbpick has changed everything for me, and I would highly recommend it.
I recently started using a thumbpick for playing acoustic after watching a Tommy Emmanuel video, and him suggesting all fingerstyle players should try it out. Some of the great guitar virtuosos such as Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed used a thumbpick. It's been very awkward to say the least, and I feel like I'm just not getting the hang of it. I put it down for a bit and then put it back on after a day or two. Take it off, put it on. Ready to give up on it. Reading your post encourages me to keep at it and not to give up on it right away. Thanks for commenting.
@@johnrutledge1810 yes, I was influenced by many of those same players as you. I would just encourage you to not give up, stick with it, because the pay off is worth it. Note, I tried a lot of different thumb picks, trying to see which one worked best for me. I finally settled on the basic Dunlop large, it's not fancy, it just plain works best for me. I still have some of the other styles around I may pick up and use from time to time, but it's the Dunlop that I keep in my pants pocket.
Wonderful playing, Josh! I seem to remember videos of old concerts where Johnny Winter used hybrid picking, but with using a thumb pick. Apparently, he was trained in finger picking at a young age.
I tried the hybrid picking and couldn’t get it down but I have put the pick down and have been using just my fingers to pop the strings like a bass guitar and I came up with some cool stuff but I’m gunna give hybrid another try because it would be the ultimate because it’s the best of both worlds and I didn’t realize you were striking the strings simultaneously to produce the whole chord sound at once mixed with using your pick and fingers when your noodling around the neck
10 years ago i was just getting to the point where hybrid picking was starting to feel natural to me and then i discovered Modern Prog/Djent and got completely side tracked for a decade lol, i was hoping for some muscle memory but my fingers remember nothing!
My right hand pinky's tendon was severed for me and I still try to do this. So, obviously I can only use the index, middle, and ring finger. Hybrid picking is fantastic. I first saw it watching Buddy Guy, but, Danny Gatton is The guy for that technique. .
@@ricopedrajrs I did - my question still stands. Josh gives a number of examples how "all of a sudden" he was doing some intricate hybrid picking. Maybe others are good enough to do that overnight, as a beginner intermediate player, I am interested in how you would practice/progress to improve at this skill.
Josh Smith is such an OUTSTANDING musician!
The fact that he’s pulling off all these advanced licks on 13s is just mind blowing . Incredible musician
You have build up to it. I did it by practicing on acoustic guitar. Have moved back to 11s now…
Don't know what I want to steal more, Josh - the licks or the t-shirt! Luvs me The Band!
Josh Smith is a monster player! Great tones, licks, songs. Catch him live if you can!
Another inspirational hybrid picker is Richard Thompson. The man is frightenly good on both acoustic and electric.
I had a similar experience, but I picked up the thumbpick. It was during the covid lockdowns, I wasn't going out, wasn't playing any gigs or even jamming, I decided to work on using a thumbpick, which I had tried years ago but never really got the hang of it. But this time was different, I had plenty of time to suck while not performing in front of anyone, and slowly I got it. It started with maybe 25% thumbpick and 75% flat pick; then 50/50, then 75% thumbpick and 25% flatpick; and slowly I just kept playing more and more stuff with the thumbpick. I still revert to a flatpick for just a few songs, but end up using a thumbpick for about 95% of the time during a gig. And yeah, the thumbpick has changed everything for me, and I would highly recommend it.
I recently started using a thumbpick for playing acoustic after watching a Tommy Emmanuel video, and him suggesting all fingerstyle players should try it out. Some of the great guitar virtuosos such as Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed used a thumbpick. It's been very awkward to say the least, and I feel like I'm just not getting the hang of it. I put it down for a bit and then put it back on after a day or two. Take it off, put it on. Ready to give up on it. Reading your post encourages me to keep at it and not to give up on it right away. Thanks for commenting.
@@johnrutledge1810 yes, I was influenced by many of those same players as you. I would just encourage you to not give up, stick with it, because the pay off is worth it. Note, I tried a lot of different thumb picks, trying to see which one worked best for me. I finally settled on the basic Dunlop large, it's not fancy, it just plain works best for me. I still have some of the other styles around I may pick up and use from time to time, but it's the Dunlop that I keep in my pants pocket.
@johnrutledge1810 hope you didn't give up on it. I've been meaning to try it for ages! You can do it.
I'm a big fan of Josh, man! His music, although traditional, sounds so fresh. He has a very cool phrasing also, bringing some of that jazz vocabulary.
Great lesson! The right side camera angle would be better for seeing the hybrid picking examples. Just a thought.
I’ve always played this way. It’s 100% true defiantly adds to your signature sound
Wonderful playing, Josh! I seem to remember videos of old concerts where Johnny Winter used hybrid picking, but with using a thumb pick. Apparently, he was trained in finger picking at a young age.
I tried the hybrid picking and couldn’t get it down but I have put the pick down and have been using just my fingers to pop the strings like a bass guitar and I came up with some cool stuff but I’m gunna give hybrid another try because it would be the ultimate because it’s the best of both worlds and I didn’t realize you were striking the strings simultaneously to produce the whole chord sound at once mixed with using your pick and fingers when your noodling around the neck
Josh is a fantastic player and teacher
Not sure how a great video with the epic Josh Smith can only have one comment. Keep it up!
First time seeing your channel. You’re awesome
Thoroughly down and will give it a go. Thanks
Josh, you are sounding great these days! Keep grooving Man!
Professor Rupert Z
10 years ago i was just getting to the point where hybrid picking was starting to feel natural to me and then i discovered Modern Prog/Djent and got completely side tracked for a decade lol, i was hoping for some muscle memory but my fingers remember nothing!
Great shirt!
We have something common. Danny changed my life from the first time ❤
Spectacular t shirt!!
Thank you
Fantastic player
Josh! ❤
My right hand pinky's tendon was severed for me and I still try to do this. So, obviously I can only use the index, middle, and ring finger. Hybrid picking is fantastic. I first saw it watching Buddy Guy, but, Danny Gatton is The guy for that technique. .
Love Josh
You're a wonderful thinker. Thank you for this.
Nice video - how did you get started and master hybrid picking?
watch the video
@@ricopedrajrs I did - my question still stands. Josh gives a number of examples how "all of a sudden" he was doing some intricate hybrid picking. Maybe others are good enough to do that overnight, as a beginner intermediate player, I am interested in how you would practice/progress to improve at this skill.
Start with a very basic easy hybrid lick and then build on it. Thats what I did.@@dirtyharry292
@@dirtyharry292TH-cam easy hybrid picking or chicken pickin licks. That'll get ya started
🔥
Angus young used that technique also
Could use a little more breakdown, played slower and maybe on screen notation and or tab.
So, I ask respectfully, Josh: How do you DO IT? 🙂
Great video and great player,
However, your thumbnail does quite match the content conveyed.
with 13g string too. dude!
Chops!
I was playing that style back in the early '70s and beyond ... Nowadays, old fingers don't want to grow good nails, and I do prefer nails ...
Albert and bb hybrid? Doesn’t work