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This might be off topic but I am curious if some of you play regular acoustic steel string guitars or even electric? I am kind of considering playing one to take a breather from Flamenco. Will they ruin the nails? Or is there a different way of playing (no picks) to consider?
RE: Fingerpicking Steel String AC or... (in reply to Alonte)
I guess Todd would be a candidate to answer here as he is a fantastic electric guitar player too.
I actually came from electric guitar to flamenco but in the beginning the shift in feel between the fretboards and the picking technique kept throwing me off a lot. I'm a bit scared to even go near an electric guitar now, fearing I'll lose progress on my flamenco technique...
But then again there are some high level players like Todd, that guy from Flametal, Amir John Haddad etc. who seem to have no issue with playing both. I'd be interested to hear from Todd how he sees the issue.
Posts: 1956
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton
RE: Fingerpicking Steel String AC or... (in reply to Alonte)
i play in a band, use my electric for rehearsals and gigs, with .10s, never had a problem...but we played at a new years eve party and then i used my friend's steel strung acoustic that has really hard strings and it destroyed two of my nails after just one song...they were old strings too... after flamenco i find electric guitar really easy, at least what the rhythm guitar does, i don't play much solo in the band... there are many techniques you can use in acoustic genres so it's really up to you...probably you'll find things easier to pick up after having played flamenco...
RE: Fingerpicking Steel String AC or... (in reply to Alonte)
I have played a lot on steel strings, mainly British/Celtic folk stuff, using an old Martin D35 acoustic and a Taylor 12 string acoustic. I also love playing old-style (pre-Scruggs) 5-string American fingerpicking banjo.
I have no experienc with electric guitars.
But even light-guage steel strings on an acoustic guitar will definitely be extremely hard on your natural nails. And also on 'fake' nails, too.
What worked best for me were those plastic Alaska picks that fit under your real nails. When properly fitted to each finger, they feel almost like 'real' nails, after a few hours practice with them. But dont try switching between nylon/bare nails and steel/alaska picks too quickly. The feel is totally different and needs a little getting used to.
With a few modifications in technique you can actually play simple Flamenco falsetas with alaska picks on steel strings. Sounds quite interesting. . .
RE: Fingerpicking Steel String AC or... (in reply to Alonte)
Thanks guys! I guess the nail breakage is really what scares me. As I accompany dancers a lot and that would take a toll on the nails. I do however been listening to blues and jazz electric guitar and various acoustic steel music lately just to decompress from flamenco.
RE: Fingerpicking Steel String AC or... (in reply to Alonte)
I started on the electric before flamenco ... I use a pick but I can now play the electric finger style, though I generally don't see a reason to ... depends what kind of music you want to make.
Posts: 407
Joined: May 26 2010
From: Sarpsborg,Norway
RE: Fingerpicking Steel String AC or... (in reply to Alonte)
I play electric and steel string acoustic as well, blues slide, jazz, rock, metal.. I these picks that you put on the tip of your fingers, I use steel ones but you can get all kinds, my nails never even touch the strings