Fabulous Adam ! I `m using an Acrylic Thumb nail ( from a Ladies Nail Bar ) . I use my Finger Flesh , tried Acrylics , but they don`t work for me ! LOVE your playing !
Ry Cooder said playing with picks is tantamount to taking a shower with your raincoat on! Thanks for posting. Enjoyed the session. I play a standard classical guitar, no cutaway. I only play a few light classical pieces. I play pop, jazz oriented, novelty, blues, and my own compositions. I gave up picks years ago. I do some finger picking, some classical technique, lots of thumb, lots of sliding, pull offs, hammers on, some flamenco. I compose jazz oriented pieces, but I can’t really play jazz. I bought a Gibson es 175cc years 35 or so years ago because I used to accompany women singers. I’m 80 years old now and don’t know any now. That was my favorite kind of playing!
Really enjoy your videos. I went from decades of pick w/occasional fingers to thumbpick so I could try and channel a bit of Chet and Lenny. Few months ago ditched the thumbpick and tomorrow will be my third pick-free gig with my Tele. It somehow feels just a bit more.....organic and musical. Been at it close to 60 yrs now. Never attained much speed but tone and taste are still achievable goals. Best regards and thanks for all the help!
Hey Adam. This is interesting to me. I started out on guitar playing metal and rock decades ago before eventually moving to blues, funk, country and later jazz. I always played with a pick back in the day. But starting with my blues period exploring Delta and fingerstyle stuff, as well as players like Jimmie Vaughan and Albert Collins, I started experimenting with playing with my fingers. I haven’t 100% walked away from the pick, but more often than not. I play with my fingers. Lately, I’ve been forcing myself to pick up the pick a little bit more and to practice both straight picking and hybrid picking, something I started exploring trying to copy hot shot country players. For me, fingers only, hybrid picking, flat picking and using thumb picks are all just different colors to paint with in my palette. I like a lot of different stuff so I like having options. But, I confess, playing only with my fingers feels most natural. Anyway, thank you for sharing your talent and experience with us. I always enjoy listening to you, both because you’re a fantastic player and because you always look like you’re having so much fun playing and getting into the groove. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Numbers 6:24-26; Isaiah 9:6.
So many more expressive things: the sound of a callus versus the tip pad versus the edge of a fingernail or the flick of the back of the nails. Caressing the strings, tapping, pulling, brushing, flicking, banging, clawing, flamenco-ish rhythum stuff... and more
That was great Adam. I’m starting to use my thumb more when I am playing my Tele and even on my acoustic when I normally would have used a flat pick. Thanks for the lesson.
New to your channel, it is nice to discover others playing fingerstyle jazz guitar. I use thumb and first three fingers to play chord notes simultaneously. Also influenced by Joe Pass.
Thanks Adam. The thumb definitely means a more direct contact with the instrument, whatever it is. It’s more satisfying to my ear when I’m playing. Even if I’m not so good a player. Keep on with/in/creating the groove. Groove is not easy for most of us tbh
Finger style guitar is the new thing lately--John Mayer, Tommy Emmanuel, et. al. I think they are realizing what they have learned from past greats: Chet Atkins, Wes Montgomery, Lindsay Buckingham, Jobim, et. al. The skin next to the finger nail provides a unique tone. Pick players press the skin, nail and pick into the string for harmonics. Wes Montgomery octaves usually only sound good using your thumb. Using the hard picks can be a great "volume" device. If you learn all styles, go ahead and use a pick for pick type songs, finger style for the other stuff. When a big room demands something louder from an acoustic instrument, slam away with your pick. This technique you are using may be that situation where some jazz passages can't be executed as well by pick. Julian Lage and others in this camp still use the other three fingers WITH the pick. All of these techniques have been around for some time. Yours appears to be a true innovation. The shock of the new! Where the thumb passes up the index finger to complete the lick and the way it "pops" as you say might not create the same sound as using a pick. As Miles said, "Does it sound good?" Here, it definitely sounds good. The greatest instrument is the human hand.
I play with both methods, pick or thumb/fingers and share some of your opinions about phrasing. However i have a problem with sweeps from high to low songs (1st to 4th string for instance). Can you post something about downward arpeggio sweeps?
That's one of the trickiest moves... for that I'll ofetn 1. plant thumb on 4 string 2. drag a single finger down 1-2-3, then play thumb Sounds as it would be sloppy when decsribing, but the thumb can be put at precisely the right place in the rhythm... Thanks for commenting!
@@adamrafferty thanks for your quick reply. i use sweeps and pivots a lot in my playing, i guess i have to get better at integrating fingers. I’ve been working on playing slide on a resonator so i am learning more about using my “bare hand” thanks again!
I think I’ll be transcribing the first 60 seconds of this video today. 😂 I was skeptical at first, but the more thumb-forward fingerstyle I play, the more I find I gravitate toward using fingers on electric as well. I find in addition to all the points you’ve made here, it also removes a layer of abstraction between me and the guitar and I’m able to be a lot more expressive having that direct physiological connection to the strings.
I would love to be able to do this but arthritis in my thumb from an old injury years ago keeps this from having the dexterity I used to have. At 81 I'm glad I can still play at all. (Been playing since age 14).
Thanks Adam, lately I've been playing without a pick because I've been trying to play a little finger style jazz. But now I've found after 40 years of playing that I have a better connection with the guitar and my creativity and phrasing seems greater with single lines and chords even though I'm not very proficient with it. I have to work on it more.
It's fantastic to hear about your exploration into fingerstyle jazz and how it's opened up a new level of connection and creativity for you. Transitioning to a new style after many years can be challenging, but as you've experienced, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Your dedication to improving and expanding your musical expression is truly commendable. Keep practicing and embracing this new journey with your guitar. The more you work on it, the more natural it will feel. Wishing you continued growth and inspiration in your playing! 🎸🎶🙌
I think every technique has it's place and sound, but just try throwing your pick away for a couple of weeks and playing only with your fingers is a great enlightening thing to do. You might not want to do it for ever but chances are a few lights will come on. Same deal with your jazz sound using the thumb and index, accents, dynamiques etc come up in unexpected places, something to test without a doubt !
No, i don't agree. This kind of string picking has a speed limit. Even a very simple sequence of notes like here : a-g-f#-g-d-c-h-c on the 5th and 4th string played by Joscho starting in the 2. minute in the video th-cam.com/video/ght2IRRG0pA/w-d-xo.html would be impossible with Mancuso technique and i don't mention very complicated runs by John McLaughlin or Shawn Lane covering all 6 strings . It has a reason why they use a pick.
If speed is the priority- that’s one angle. -for sure use a pick (I used to!). If groove and articulation for funk and jazz is the priority then you need a different technique. 😀
Thank you for the videos, dear Adam. I would like to ask you. What gauge strings do you use on Jazz, Acoustic and Electric guitars? I don't use a pick and I find .11 very thin since I come from a classical guitar background.
My history of giving up the pick and approach to playing with my thumb only is very similar to yours except I don't up-pick with my index finger. I use the side of my thumb for that too. I just turned 70 and playing fast is something I no longer care about. I prefer expression over speed at this point. Wes Montgomery is also one of my favorites along with Johnny Smith, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell and for expressiveness par excellence, Billy Bauer and his signature song Blue Mist. And least we forget, it wasn't that long ago that Jeff Beck began playing mostly with his thumb.
Great video with a wonderful emphasis on making strong, creative musical statements over breaking the speed limit! No nails on that right hand! Am I seeing that correctly? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that! I get such a muddy, weak sound with just my fingers. I have pretty flimsy natural nails, so I glue on nails, but I love your sound. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Been playing with no pick for awhile now, the tone is great in any pick-up position and any amp sounds good. However I was noticing a popping sound from using the thumb so now I am using index and ring finger and using flamenco exercises to get better. I think I heard some popping on your thumb as well.
The thumb will sit in the groove better (yes , test it but trust me LOL) the popping is likely from the string itself touching the magnets of the pickup pole, - I've had this on my tele with lighter strngs, so that's a nuance to be worked out. Yes, any amp and pickup configuration sounds good. The only drawback of course is speed but if you are out of the speed game (as I am) this feels and sounds great. Thank you!
Adam, great points--especially at the end. Here's another concept, even if you still want to play with a pick as a primary method of attack--if you practice with your thumb, you will surface a lot more nuance that you can then try to bring over to your plectrum playing. Okay, so you got close to the prize Adam--but you know what I want to hear about next. More about that time feel--how you conceptualize the pulse. If there's even a small tidbit of what you learned from Mike Longo that you can share here. I still want that lesson, but just give us Longo-phytes a little morsel ;)
I will definitely let you in on some of that. I do in-depth training on my teaching site because to just give it all the way on TH-cam kind of goes against my instinct. Feel free to contact me.
definitely agree that the tone is much better suited than using a pick. i hear too often jazz solos where the attack is way too strong and i assume the pick/string interaction is a major contributor
Great lesson. If playing with the thumb (and occasional fingers) on electric is good enough for you, Wes Montgomery and the late great Jeff Beck, then I should definitely try it. Your right hand technique seems to be very relaxed and I think that contributes to you being so in the pocket.
When I first got the chords to Aue Privave by Charlie Parker I tried two strums per chord. Then I discovered it was one strum per chord and even that didn't come out right, so I started plucking the chords. That's when I started playing with my fingers. It also helps when you want to throw in some fingerpicking ideas.
Well, I’m in between. I feel more in control without a pick, indeed the timing is better with fingerstyle. On the other side I can get a wider sound spectrum with one (by manipulating it).
...............three guitar players made me start playing with my fingers .......Albert Collins......Johnny Guitar Watson....... Clarence Gatemouth Brown.....i played with a pick until i went to see Gate mouth in the earky 80s.......he played a couple of jazzy jump blues songs at a very fast tempo.......i never used a pick since...i never liked the sound of a pick against the strings.......,Matteo Mancuso sound great without a pick.......
I stopped playing with a pick after it fell off right before a solo during a concert. Later I realized that I played better when there was nothing between the guitar strings and my fingers.
That's a great approach! Using your thumb and fingers adds a lot of expression and dynamics to your playing. And having a bit of fingernail can really help with the tone and attack. Keep playing in the way that feels right for you. It's all about personal style and comfort. 🎸❤️🎶
@adamrafferty Thanks Adam. Your playing is awesome, and your tone is great. I just recently watched the George Benson video on thumb playing, and he said that he uses the upstroke also with his thumb...hmmm. It's really interesting how this can make things sound more rhythmic..what do you think about it?
Hey - did you enjoy this lesson? Let me know, COMMENT below & hit that LIKE button :-)
Fabulous Adam ! I `m using an Acrylic Thumb nail ( from a Ladies Nail Bar ) . I use my Finger Flesh , tried Acrylics , but they don`t work for me ! LOVE your playing !
Hey Adam, I totally think that your style does sound so much more "jazzy" than the typical flat pick technique. Great job on that!
Ry Cooder said playing with picks is tantamount to taking a shower with your raincoat on! Thanks for posting. Enjoyed the session.
I play a standard classical guitar, no cutaway. I only play a few light classical pieces. I play pop, jazz oriented, novelty, blues, and my own compositions. I gave up picks years ago. I do some finger picking, some classical technique, lots of thumb, lots of sliding, pull offs, hammers on, some flamenco. I compose jazz oriented pieces, but I can’t really play jazz.
I bought a Gibson es 175cc years 35 or so years ago because I used to accompany women singers. I’m 80 years old now and don’t know any now. That was my favorite kind of playing!
Can’t do it myself but there is great player, Wil Braham who has a great hybrid technique (pick and fingers) that is enviable.
I accompany myself while playing standards, and I have grown to prefer using my fingers.
Great Adam. Love the way you keep evolving musically.
Really enjoy your videos. I went from decades of pick w/occasional fingers to thumbpick so I could try and channel a bit of Chet and Lenny. Few months ago ditched the thumbpick and tomorrow will be my third pick-free gig with my Tele. It somehow feels just a bit more.....organic and musical. Been at it close to 60 yrs now. Never attained much speed but tone and taste are still achievable goals. Best regards and thanks for all the help!
Hey Adam. This is interesting to me. I started out on guitar playing metal and rock decades ago before eventually moving to blues, funk, country and later jazz. I always played with a pick back in the day. But starting with my blues period exploring Delta and fingerstyle stuff, as well as players like Jimmie Vaughan and Albert Collins, I started experimenting with playing with my fingers. I haven’t 100% walked away from the pick, but more often than not. I play with my fingers. Lately, I’ve been forcing myself to pick up the pick a little bit more and to practice both straight picking and hybrid picking, something I started exploring trying to copy hot shot country players. For me, fingers only, hybrid picking, flat picking and using thumb picks are all just different colors to paint with in my palette. I like a lot of different stuff so I like having options. But, I confess, playing only with my fingers feels most natural. Anyway, thank you for sharing your talent and experience with us. I always enjoy listening to you, both because you’re a fantastic player and because you always look like you’re having so much fun playing and getting into the groove. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Numbers 6:24-26; Isaiah 9:6.
I concur with you, Adam.
Good to see you again, buddy. 😊
Awesome video Adam! Hope to see you in Europe again sometime!
-Gustavo
Excellent video and inspirational playing. Thanks!
So many more expressive things: the sound of a callus versus the tip pad versus the edge of a fingernail or the flick of the back of the nails. Caressing the strings, tapping, pulling, brushing, flicking, banging, clawing, flamenco-ish rhythum stuff... and more
That was great Adam. I’m starting to use my thumb more when I am playing my Tele and even on my acoustic when I normally would have used a flat pick. Thanks for the lesson.
I too switched to mainly finger style, especially for solo jazz guitar, but I will say it’s not an absolute depends on what music you’re playing, etc.
Adam I completely agree. From a parallel universe, consider the fingerstyle technique of Mark Knopfler: pure tone!
Matteo Mancuso's right hand is out of this world. Thank you Adam for this video.
New to your channel, it is nice to discover others playing fingerstyle jazz guitar. I use thumb and first three fingers to play chord notes simultaneously. Also influenced by Joe Pass.
Nice thoughtful piece. Thanks!
Thanks Adam. The thumb definitely means a more direct contact with the instrument, whatever it is.
It’s more satisfying to my ear when I’m playing. Even if I’m not so good a player.
Keep on with/in/creating the groove.
Groove is not easy for most of us tbh
Finger style guitar is the new thing lately--John Mayer, Tommy Emmanuel, et. al. I think they are realizing what they have learned from past greats: Chet Atkins, Wes Montgomery, Lindsay Buckingham, Jobim, et. al. The skin next to the finger nail provides a unique tone. Pick players press the skin, nail and pick into the string for harmonics. Wes Montgomery octaves usually only sound good using your thumb. Using the hard picks can be a great "volume" device. If you learn all styles, go ahead and use a pick for pick type songs, finger style for the other stuff. When a big room demands something louder from an acoustic instrument, slam away with your pick. This technique you are using may be that situation where some jazz passages can't be executed as well by pick. Julian Lage and others in this camp still use the other three fingers WITH the pick. All of these techniques have been around for some time. Yours appears to be a true innovation. The shock of the new! Where the thumb passes up the index finger to complete the lick and the way it "pops" as you say might not create the same sound as using a pick. As Miles said, "Does it sound good?" Here, it definitely sounds good. The greatest instrument is the human hand.
I play with both methods, pick or thumb/fingers and share some of your opinions about phrasing. However i have a problem with sweeps from high to low songs (1st to 4th string for instance). Can you post something about downward arpeggio sweeps?
That's one of the trickiest moves... for that I'll ofetn
1. plant thumb on 4 string
2. drag a single finger down 1-2-3, then play thumb
Sounds as it would be sloppy when decsribing, but the thumb can be put at precisely the right place in the rhythm...
Thanks for commenting!
@@adamrafferty thanks for your quick reply. i use sweeps and pivots a lot in my playing, i guess i have to get better at integrating fingers. I’ve been working on playing slide on a resonator so i am learning more about using my “bare hand” thanks again!
I think I’ll be transcribing the first 60 seconds of this video today. 😂
I was skeptical at first, but the more thumb-forward fingerstyle I play, the more I find I gravitate toward using fingers on electric as well. I find in addition to all the points you’ve made here, it also removes a layer of abstraction between me and the guitar and I’m able to be a lot more expressive having that direct physiological connection to the strings.
Aaron let me give you some better lines than what I played here!
I would love to be able to do this but arthritis in my thumb from an old injury years ago keeps this from having the dexterity I used to have. At 81 I'm glad I can still play at all. (Been playing since age 14).
Thanks Adam, lately I've been playing without a pick because I've been trying to play a little finger style jazz. But now I've found after 40 years of playing that I have a better connection with the guitar and my creativity and phrasing seems greater with single lines and chords even though I'm not very proficient with it. I have to work on it more.
It's fantastic to hear about your exploration into fingerstyle jazz and how it's opened up a new level of connection and creativity for you. Transitioning to a new style after many years can be challenging, but as you've experienced, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Your dedication to improving and expanding your musical expression is truly commendable. Keep practicing and embracing this new journey with your guitar. The more you work on it, the more natural it will feel. Wishing you continued growth and inspiration in your playing! 🎸🎶🙌
I think every technique has it's place and sound, but just try throwing your pick away for a couple of weeks and playing only with your fingers is a great enlightening thing to do. You might not want to do it for ever but chances are a few lights will come on. Same deal with your jazz sound using the thumb and index, accents, dynamiques etc come up in unexpected places, something to test without a doubt !
No, i don't agree. This kind of string picking has a speed limit. Even a very simple sequence of notes like here : a-g-f#-g-d-c-h-c on the 5th and 4th string played by Joscho starting in the 2. minute in the video th-cam.com/video/ght2IRRG0pA/w-d-xo.html would be impossible with Mancuso technique and i don't mention very complicated runs by John McLaughlin or Shawn Lane covering all 6 strings . It has a reason why they use a pick.
If speed is the priority- that’s one angle. -for sure use a pick (I used to!). If groove and articulation for funk and jazz is the priority then you need a different technique. 😀
Thank you for the videos, dear Adam. I would like to ask you. What gauge strings do you use on Jazz, Acoustic and Electric guitars? I don't use a pick and I find .11 very thin since I come from a classical guitar background.
My history of giving up the pick and approach to playing with my thumb only is very similar to yours except I don't up-pick with my index finger. I use the side of my thumb for that too. I just turned 70 and playing fast is something I no longer care about. I prefer expression over speed at this point. Wes Montgomery is also one of my favorites along with Johnny Smith, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell and for expressiveness par excellence, Billy Bauer and his signature song Blue Mist. And least we forget, it wasn't that long ago that Jeff Beck began playing mostly with his thumb.
Yes yes yes!!!! Thank you.
Great video with a wonderful emphasis on making strong, creative musical statements over breaking the speed limit!
No nails on that right hand! Am I seeing that correctly? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that! I get such a muddy, weak sound with just my fingers. I have pretty flimsy natural nails, so I glue on nails, but I love your sound. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Been playing with no pick for awhile now, the tone is great in any pick-up position and any amp sounds good. However I was noticing a popping sound from using the thumb so now I am using index and ring finger and using flamenco exercises to get better. I think I heard some popping on your thumb as well.
The thumb will sit in the groove better (yes , test it but trust me LOL) the popping is likely from the string itself touching the magnets of the pickup pole, - I've had this on my tele with lighter strngs, so that's a nuance to be worked out.
Yes, any amp and pickup configuration sounds good. The only drawback of course is speed but if you are out of the speed game (as I am) this feels and sounds great. Thank you!
Adam, great points--especially at the end. Here's another concept, even if you still want to play with a pick as a primary method of attack--if you practice with your thumb, you will surface a lot more nuance that you can then try to bring over to your plectrum playing. Okay, so you got close to the prize Adam--but you know what I want to hear about next. More about that time feel--how you conceptualize the pulse. If there's even a small tidbit of what you learned from Mike Longo that you can share here. I still want that lesson, but just give us Longo-phytes a little morsel ;)
I will definitely let you in on some of that. I do in-depth training on my teaching site because to just give it all the way on TH-cam kind of goes against my instinct. Feel free to contact me.
@@adamrafferty I definitely understand! Email sent!
definitely agree that the tone is much better suited than using a pick. i hear too often jazz solos where the attack is way too strong and i assume the pick/string interaction is a major contributor
For me I play fingers no nails, and in a band situation always with the pick.
pick is better for some things, but i always enjoy playing with fingers more
Great lesson. If playing with the thumb (and occasional fingers) on electric is good enough for you, Wes Montgomery and the late great Jeff Beck, then I should definitely try it. Your right hand technique seems to be very relaxed and I think that contributes to you being so in the pocket.
Hey Adam, if you don't mind me asking, how come your neck P90 pickup is so silent, I mean no hum? Thanks.
When I first got the chords to Aue Privave by Charlie Parker I tried two strums per chord. Then I discovered it was one strum per chord and even that didn't come out right, so I started plucking the chords. That's when I started playing with my fingers. It also helps when you want to throw in some fingerpicking ideas.
Very very interesting, do you have any tips or exercises on how to practice thumb and index picking technique? It will helps... Thanks!!!
Well, I’m in between. I feel more in control without a pick, indeed the timing is better with fingerstyle. On the other side I can get a wider sound spectrum with one (by manipulating it).
I've always admired the sound that the thumb gives the guitar. I've tried but it hurts after some minutes.
I just keep dropping a pick so have never really used one preferring to use my fingers/thumb
Great lesson
To answer the question
I try to avoid the pick 98%
...............three guitar players made me start playing with my fingers .......Albert Collins......Johnny Guitar Watson....... Clarence Gatemouth Brown.....i played with a pick until i went to see Gate mouth in the earky 80s.......he played a couple of jazzy jump blues songs at a very fast tempo.......i never used a pick since...i never liked the sound of a pick against the strings.......,Matteo Mancuso sound great without a pick.......
Ma man.. great video. That guitar sounds FAT- I love it :).
Love this video....more!
That THUMB thing that you do so well!
If you want to delve into rock/shred without a pick, check out Jared James Nichols. Monster tone.
super cool
Thank you! I'm really glad you think it's cool. Stay tuned for more! 🎸🎶😎
I stopped playing with a pick after it fell off right before a solo during a concert. Later I realized that I played better when there was nothing between the guitar strings and my fingers.
I never knew u were into Jazz
I have always preferred using thumb and fingers, with a little nubbin of fingernails..❤
That's a great approach! Using your thumb and fingers adds a lot of expression and dynamics to your playing. And having a bit of fingernail can really help with the tone and attack. Keep playing in the way that feels right for you. It's all about personal style and comfort. 🎸❤️🎶
@adamrafferty Thanks Adam. Your playing is awesome, and your tone is great. I just recently watched the George Benson video on thumb playing, and he said that he uses the upstroke also with his thumb...hmmm. It's really interesting how this can make things sound more rhythmic..what do you think about it?
The problem arrives when you try to play double time lines I think..
Duuuuude you have the voice clone of Trump.
Haha, that's a first! Thanks for the interesting comparison and the laugh. Hope you're enjoying the music! 🎶😄