The Challenge 26/07/2010 Vote Now!

Renesongs

Here are the entries to the Finger Picking Competition

[quote author=X-rated Bob link=action=profile;u=411 date=1280329135] My entry is http://www.box.net/shared/rko1oczgf4 Recorded on my Morgan OM. DADGAD. Capo at 3rd fret. [/quote]

[quote author=Squonk link=action=profile;u=298 date=1280662606] http://www.box.net/shared/3umzocm4db I have never seen so many trees. Inspired by the huge man made forest in Johannesburg "Fingerpicker" Squonk - Takamine through slightly effected Zoom Pedal , DADGAD tuning in the centre channel "Slowhand" Squonk - Peavey T-60 neck pickup through effected Zoom Pedal in standard tuning in left channel "Plectrum" Squonk - Pevey T-60 bridge pickup through effected Zoom Pedal in standard tuning in right channel (Unfortunately had to use a plectrum to get a bit of speed, all other Squonks used their FINGERS!) [/quote]

[quote author=MikeM link=action=profile;u=501 date=1280685650] http://www.box.net/shared/0z2rvsqsnh First thing I realise entering this, I need to start mixing things up quite a bit. However, Epi LP with new pups in through guitar rig, 2 channels, tried to get a bit of a jazzy warm feel with the lead tone using the fingers etc. [/quote]

[quote author=Warren link=action=profile;u=2258 date=1280741215] My entry for the week: Using my newly acquired Strat! :) Loving it! Tried something different this week - plugged my amp directly into the sound card (has a line-out jack) instead of using amp-modeling software. Very pleased with the resulting tone! Rhythm track played using bridge/middle position and the "Dumble Overdrive" setting on the amp. Lead licks played using neck/middle (fave position so far) and the "Twin Reverb" setting on the amp. Guess I might not need to splurge on Amplitube or Guitar Rig just yet...and the bonus is that the tone is the same as I'll get playing live / during practice as well. :) A-Warren_Fingerstyle.mp3 http://www.box.net/shared/a5x2aznsjx [/quote]

[quote author=guitarboy2828 link=action=profile;u=1378 date=1280743387] http://www.box.net/shared/xiahip597h I really wanted to get into entering these competitions, but as always time runs out and so this is one guitar, one mic, 3rd take, saved, entered :) Put me in the Beginner category please. [/quote]

[quote author=ezietsman link=action=profile;u=1907 date=1280764920] Here is my entry. Think I'll just enter into A from now on. Rhythm and lead, all fingerpicked. LP trough HT5, Hardwire Overdrive for lead, DD7 for delay. Haven't touched my guitar in 2 weeks so doing a fingerpicked entry felt a bit weird. http://www.box.net/shared/uq1f0brvc1 [/quote]

[quote author=evolucian link=action=profile;u=1152 date=1280767594] The haunting of SiLevi - part 1 - demo - Evo - cat A This is a demo of something that will be larger... but everything was done wif fingers.. I chose a mellower line of the lead on this one... my previous attempt went a bit too fast and too busy... hope its to the standards of the forum. http://www.box.net/shared/0j16qp66t4 [/quote]

(old forum) Poll Results: Finger Picking

X-rated Bob (A): 5
Squonk (A): 4
MikeM (B): 12
Warren (A): 12
guitarboy2828 (B): 11
ezietsman (A): 1
evolucian (A): 8

Bob-Dubery

I thought guitaboy2828's entry was a really good attempt at meeting the spirit of the challenge. I thought that the parts in Warren's entry worked together very well, especially in the first half or so of the recording. Squonk's Takamine is sounding very good.

Renesongs

Wow Just listened to all the entries they all excellent in both categories In the end I had to just vote on what suited my personal music taste rather than quality or technical prowess I would would to have spent the whole night flipping coins to make that call Well done all and no I will not tell who I voted for because that would be unfair IMhO

Bob-Dubery

Renesongs wrote: Wow Just listened to all the entries they all excellent in both categories In the end I had to just vote on what suited my personal music taste rather than quality or technical prowess I would would to have spent the whole night flipping coins to make that call Well done all and no I will not tell who I voted for because that would be unfair IMhO

The entries are diverse. PeteM though set a pretty broad challenge. I think everything is sans plectrum but I wonder.... Jeff Beck plays without a pick but I'd not call him a finger picker.

evolucian

X-rated Bob wrote: The entries are diverse. PeteM though set a pretty broad challenge. I think everything is sans plectrum but I wonder.... Jeff Beck plays without a pick but I'd not call him a finger picker.

I think everyone did well Bob... so why still complaining about the challenge? It was said to be either electric or acoustic. And fingerstyle. Fingerstyle does not automatically translate to Travis or Claw or anything else but using fingers. Someone can just use their index finger and it will still be fingerstyle... because its still a finger ?

MikeM

The challenge was "finger picking" not even fingerstyle. Broadens things up a lot IMO.

evolucian

MikeM wrote: Evo watch your terminology.

The challenge was "finger picking" not even fingerstyle. Broadens things up a lot IMO.

Oh alright Mike... I'll watch the terminology... "finger" ... "picking" ... picking with a finger. Still applies to even 1 finger being used, ie: the index finger alone being used... one finger... picking. Finger picking also does not automatically translate to Travis or Claw or anything else but using fingers or finger on solo mission.

Did I watch it closely enough?

NorioDS

Peter, I think Mike was on your side dude ?

evolucian

lol... i realise that... but the thing boils down to using fingers... whether its called fingerstyle or finger picking... i dunno... maybe i'm getting as anal as bob on terms... sigh... i'm doomed

on a ps note: I wasn't being nasty to mike... just looking at a term in a funny way... apologies if it came across as mean. Its text, void of emotion... so apologies if misinterpreted.

MikeM

I believe fingerstyle and finger picking are two very different things? Am I being pedantic or do other people feel this way too? I can play fingerstyle np cause I started off doing the cliche' classical thing but I chose to do a finger picked jazzish feeling thing.

P.s Ah my bad - jumping to defense too quickly, sorry ?

evolucian

Fingerstyle Defined:
Fingerpicking, or playing fingerstyle, is a technique for playing the guitar, or some other stringed instrument using the fingertips and/or fingernails, rather than with a plectrum (or "pick"). It is used for classical guitar, and some other acoustic styles, but it has found its way into other genres as well.

American Fingerstyle Defined:
American fingerstyle guitar is a style of fingerpicking. It includes elements of blues, ragtime, country, gospel, jazz, and many regional music traditions.

American fingerstyle guitar is commonly played on steel string acoustic guitars with 6 or 12 strings. While it is played on just about every type of guitar, these are most common and characteristic. Music arranged for American fingerstyle playing can include chords, arpeggios and other elements such as artificial harmonics, hammering on and pulling off with the fretting hand, using the body of the guitar percussively, and many other techniques.

Though not commonly used today, the term "Travis picking" was once widely understood to describe the common style of alternating-bass fingerpicking used by American fingerpickers from the 1950s into the 1970s, after the great country guitarist and songwriter Merle Travis.

American primitive guitar defined:
American primitive guitar is a subset of American fingerstyle guitar. It originated with John Fahey, whose first record album Blind Joe Death (1959) inspired many guitarists such as Leo Kottke, who made his debut recording of 6 and 12 String Guitar on Fahey's Takoma label in 1969. American primitive guitar can be characterized by the use of folk music or folk-like material, driving alternating-bass fingerpicking with a good deal of repetitious ostinato patterns, and the use of alternative tunings (scordatura) such as open D and drop D

http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/

Renesongs

Finger-style, finger-picking, hybrid picking would you guys stop nitpicking and let the ballot be the judge. BTW would the individual that used both his/her votes in the advanced category, yes you, go stand in the corner until I'll tell you to come back into the group. >☹

evolucian

jammer pa.... maar dit was nie ek nie.. ek sweer... ag nee pa, moenie daai belt af vat nie... ek's sorrie (or however it is in afrikaans households... maybe its a riding crop or sjambok <also dont know how to spell that>) :'(

AlanRatcliffe

Picky, picky... ? Personally, I think some people are fingerpickers, other's play with their fingers. I often use my first fingernail like a plectrum for sweeps or alternate picking - I wouldn't call that fingerpicking. But PeteM did say "Anything goes" - so anything goes it is.

Good show everyone. Really wish I'd had the time for this one...

Bob-Dubery

Renesongs wrote: Finger-style, finger-picking, hybrid picking would you guys stop nitpicking and let the ballot be the judge.

If nobody nitpicks challenges will amount to "play some stuff on a guitar".

joel

Renesongs wrote: Finger-style, finger-picking, hybrid picking would you guys stop nitpicking and let the ballot be the judge. BTW would the individual that used both his/her votes in the advanced category, yes you, go stand in the corner until I'll tell you to come back into the group. >☹

oops !! :-[ ?

guitarboy2828

I've always understood it as fingerstyle guitar is like "Don Ross" and "Andy Mckee" Kinda stuff.. It's picking, but with alternating bass lines with a melody underneath there..
Finger picking is a picking patter with standard chords. Yes? No?

Anyways, besides that... FLIPPIN' HECK!!!! Those were some good entries!! WOW!!! Bob Iwas going to vote for you, but then i thought if you win, what are you going to make us do next week.. So didn't.. ? Just kidding, i loved your entry, you got my vote.. and Mike, even though it's just the two of us in the B catagory, i really did dig your entry! ?

p.s. Bob, i want that morgan!

Bob-Dubery

guitarboy2828 wrote: I've always understood it as fingerstyle guitar is like "Don Ross" and "Andy Mckee" Kinda stuff.. It's picking, but with alternating bass lines with a melody underneath there..
Finger picking is a picking patter with standard chords. Yes? No?

That's more or less how I understand it.

Anyways, besides that... FLIPPIN' HECK!!!! Those were some good entries!! WOW!!! Bob Iwas going to vote for you, but then i thought if you win, what are you going to make us do next week.. So didn't.. ? Just kidding, i loved your entry, you got my vote.. and Mike, even though it's just the two of us in the B catagory, i really did dig your entry! ?

You're too kind.

p.s. Bob, i want that morgan!

Get in line! There is already a queue for that guitar - not that I'm planning to sell right now.

Squonk

X-rated Bob wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote: I've always understood it as fingerstyle guitar is like "Don Ross" and "Andy Mckee" Kinda stuff.. It's picking, but with alternating bass lines with a melody underneath there..
Finger picking is a picking patter with standard chords. Yes? No?
That's more or less how I understand it.

I think this is how we all understand it but Pete did open it up a bit

Let's hear it from the finger pickers.
Anything goes - could be a backing guitar playing arpeggios with an additional guitar playing melody on top or could be one guitar playing a bass line, rhythm accompaniment and a melody line all at once. Acoustic or electric, makes no difference. Same challenge for both categories.

Squonk

Hectic entries this week and quite difficult to vote.

I think you have to broaden the meaning of "Fingerpicking", as Pete did open up the competition.

Straight forward Fingerpicking would be Bob and Guitarboy, and they both did exceptional entries.

I am really enjoying Ezietsman's entries lateley. This weeks one is no exception, great tone, great idea.

Chris, Evo, Warren, all hectically good entries and love your guitar tones, I think the time for me to get a Strat or at least a copy is upon me ?

I think it would be good if some of the guys could elaborate a bit more on tones, recording , effects etc.