When I play a scale with my fingers, I have the habit of using my thumb to pluck all the notes on all the strings except the high E, for which I use a finger. I never put any thought into this, it just occured naturally like that over time. But now, when I want to play faster, it seems like this technique comes with a built-in speed limit.
I don't see much advantage to using p for E,A,D and i,m,a for G,B,E - as I do for picking patterns - because this has the same limitations.
What should I be using to go faster? Two fingers per string? Drugs?
Oh yeah and I once saw a guy who was really good who used only his thumb to play, so I'm convinved that my technique can't be totally satanic in origin.
I don't see much advantage to using p for E,A,D and i,m,a for G,B,E - as I do for picking patterns - because this has the same limitations.
That is what most people do.
I'm still too green to make an experience based judgement, but it would seem to make sense that the more fingers you have working on it, the more notes-per-second you can make.
I wrapped a newspaper ’round my head
So I looked like I was deep
That system is identical to what I use - on the E,A,D strings. So no difference in speed when playing on these strings!
Here are some links that may help..........
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/
http://www.acousticguitar.com/lessons/proctor/basics1.shtml
http://www.drpsychotic.com/fingerstyle/index.html
http://truefire.com/list.html?store=audio_lessons&viewauthor=1271&item=2986
:D
..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´ -:¦:- Elecktrablue -:¦:-
"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"
As a rough guide for scales, try playing them i-m-i-m or m-a-m-a. The really keen play them i-m-a-i-m-a.
You shouldn't be using your thumb for scales. As you've already found out, it has a built in, and very pedestrian, speed limit.
Best,
A :-)
"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk
