Help?

Tauriq

I started playing the acoustic guitar about a month ago. Up until now I've been using a guitar pick as instructed by my teacher. I've been wondering if its possible to play all songs using only a pick or if I will have to eventually learn to use my fingers. I also plan on, when I can play adequately on the acoustic guitar, getting an electric guitar.

Any help would be appreciated?

NorioDS

There's no good reason not to start playing on an electric guitar. It's actually easier to play than an acoustic which frees you up to learn instead of struggling.

As for learning to play "all songs" -- no one ever achieves that ? You'll find something you like and you'll probably stick to that mostly.

If you like Mark Knopfler, learn to play with your fingers. Classical music, spanish music, Brett Garsed, etc. All need some finger-playing.

Wanna play like Satriani, Vai, Kirk Hammet, Slash, etc. Mostly pick.

But there are ALWAYS exceptions. No one here can give you a black and white answer. Play what you enjoy and keep at it. That's the best advice anyone can give you. Good luck man and welcome to the forum ;D

sepheritoh

I agree with all that Norio said. There are players in every genre who plays with picks and players using fingers. Some styles tend to favor finger picking while other styles favor picks, but there are no rules. I would say it is a good thing to eventually be able to do both.

AlanRatcliffe

Yup. All good advice above.

Riaan

I have seen some players who combine both ways of playing, using a pick held with the thumb and index finger, and using the other fingers for picking. Brian Adam's guitarist, whose name I forgot now does this and I've seen David Gilmour do that.
One problem I have is keeping my finger nails intact...it grows quite quickly but seems to be rather soft, one bump and it's gone. What do you guys do to strengthen your fingernails? Except the obvious such as being careful!

AlanRatcliffe

Riaan wrote: I have seen some players who combine both ways of playing, using a pick held with the thumb and index finger, and using the other fingers for picking.

It's called hybrid picking, you can add Jimmy Page to the list of players who do that too. It's a good approach if you're primarily a plectrum player.

What do you guys do to strengthen your fingernails?

Ahh. As luck would have it, I had this same question from someone recently, so I can do a "cut 'n paste" answer:

The best solution I have found is to get the fibreglass overlays. If you can find someone who will do the fibreglass with silk rather than glass, it's the absolute best tonally - that's what classical players use. The layer goes on top of the nail so it does not affect the tone as much as an acrylic nail. Only let them put one layer on as an overlay (some will use two or even three layers for a guitarist). DO NOT let them rough up your nail with the emery board before fitting it, but rather just clean the nail and cuticles with acetone first, which will remove any oils. The roughing up of your nail surface does make the overlay adhere better so that it lasts longer, but when it pulls away (which they always do) it takes part of your nail surface with it too, leaving your nail even weaker than before. If the nail surface is not roughed up, the nail will come off with no damage to your own nail.

When I was gigging a lot I did my own overlays, using a product called "Players' Nails" - basically a home overlay kit for guitarists - silk too. I can't find them anymore, but Savarez (the classical string manufacturer) makes a similar kit: http://www.savarez.fr/anglais/repair-nail-kit-savarez.html. You can buy fibreglass kits and refills for kits from www.guitarplayernails.com.
Even if you are going to do your own, have a few sets done at a salon and watch how they apply it.

Also, if you go to a salon, keep quiet and don't chat, so the ladies forget you are there and talk freely, it can be quite an education in what women talk about when (they think) men aren't around. ;D

Renesongs

There's no good reason not to start playing on an electric guitar.

I try to inspire my students to start on an acoustic before electric because most electric beginners practice unplugged and cant hear their mistakes. Acoustics usually have a heaver gauge string which helps develope finger hardness quicker.

I've been using a guitar pick as instructed by my teacher.

I prefer to teach without a pick first particularly strumming as you learn to to develope a good relaxed wrist motion which you then translate onto the foreign object (the pick) later.

I've been wondering if its possible to play all songs using only a pick or if I will have to eventually learn to use my fingers.

IMO a truely great guitarist can use only pick, only fingers, or both (hybrid picking) depending on the context of the song.

When I began on electric guitar, back when moses was in diapers, I used only fingers, playing hard rock lead solo's, Satana, Hendrix, Clapton etc. My guitarist buddies told me I would be a lot cooler if I used a plectrum. Many years and thousands of plectrums later I discovered Hybrid picking. Every time I watch a music DVD I check to see who's hip to hybrid. My hybrid list include:
Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Eric Johnson (a hybrid wunderkind), John Meyer, Jimi Hendrix (castles made of sand), to name but a few

karel_appel

I think they need some basic skills in a spesific Genre to practise the accoustic guitar ?