3 Lester Flatt Style Rhythm Guitar Instruction Taught By Chris Sharp Video 3 Picks

Lester Flatt used 2 picks. A thumbpick and a fingerpick (on his index finger). This shows my opinions of what makes picks good and how to go about choosing picks for this style. I recommend picks and even show you some tips on how to make your picks work better for Lester's style of playing. Please feel free to contact me at chrissharp80@hotmail.com for lessons via webcam. Also, please visit the websites at www.chrissharpmusic.net and www.myspace.com/chrissharpmusic . I have several CD's for sale with some top notch musicians (including Earl Scruggs, John Hartford, Josh Graves, Kenny Baker, Stuart Duncan, Mike Compton, etc...)

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[DAVIDDAMIENR]

Thank You again for sharing! Great Tips.

I like to reshape the contour of the tip of a Thumb Pick to a rounder shape. I use a heavy file then a fine grade sandpaper.

To me, thumb picks "click" a little too much and they're a little slower then flat picks because they made of such a thick plastic.

Shaping them a little rounder gives them a bit warmer of a sound and it's not nearly as bright of a sound. It's a fuller heavier sound that's a little darker.

DDR

[Studio607Productions]

Interesting technique. I generally just practice with a thumbpick until it wears to the position my thumb hits the string with it. It seems to mold itself to the angle my hand is at while making contact with the strings. This is also an effective way to take some of the brightness out of the pick. I never use a new pick until it has had time to break in using this method.

[DAVIDDAMIENR]

Yes, but then you're using your Guitar Strings as Sandpaper and a File and you're wearing out that "String Brightness" that you Bluegrass player's just seem to LOVE.

You have a GREAT Guitar Sound anyway and you know exactly what you're doin' with both hands and you thumb pick. Thanks for sharing

DDR

[Studio607Productions]

When I first started using the thumbpick I did almost exactly what you mentioned. For years I would cut the tips off then file and sand them until they were round and soft. I found that the pick still didn't conform to my technique because the angle my pick hits the strings isn't easily measurable. Even cut and filed they have to conform to the angle you're using so the strings are still hard at work with each stroke.

[Studio607Productions]

I prefer to keep as much of the pick as possible since they will last longer if some of the size isn't chopped off. After a pick settles in I want to keep it as long as possible.

[Pickinbuddy]

@DickBowdenFromMaine Hi Dick--the correct spelling is "Pearse". The company is located in Bucks County PA and Mary Faith Rhoades runs it. The Stevens company was a manufacturer of Hawaiian guitar accessories-particularly that famous Stevens bar and also that metal fingerpick used by Flatt. The only disadvantage with the Stevens pick was that is was made of steel, and could rust at times. Back in 1969 I gave one to Lester Flatt, plated in 24k gold, from a job I had as a metal plater!

[DAVIDDAMIENR]

I understand and appreciate you point.

I Re-Shape thunb picks to better match my touch. Re-Saping Picks is common. Some guitarist glue 2 flat picks together and reshape them to get the sound they want.

There is also a long history of Classical guitarists shaping their nails on their right hands. That's Part of their Personal Sound.

Probably the Best LIVING example is David Russell.

There is a GREAT Video Here On You Tube of him playing: El Utimo Cancion by Agustin Barrios

DDR

[DickBowdenFromMaine]

I've always wondered what that odd finger pick was in the old LP album cover photos of Flatt! Now I know. I've been able to make do with a regular Dunlop banjo style finger pick, but I'll watch for a Pierce Hi Ride. Chris, in future, if you can incorporate some close up shots it would be great (if possible).