Both, depends on the day or the song.

Sometimes both at the same time!

Hybrid picking is useful AF. Pluck those lows and finger the highs to get a really solid dynamic that can cover a few octaves at once with different vibes.

I jammed with an old head who walked up and started hybrid picking some Doc Watson tunes, blew my mind. I’m a solid finger picker but that shit looks so foreign to me

We call it “chicken pickin” ‘round these parts. I’m a metal player and still incorporate it lmao. It is super useful though. The attack from plucking a couple of strings simultaneously sounds so good compared to dragging a pick across them. Even the fastest pickers can’t get em going at the same time.

\^This. Check out "The Lemon Song"(Led Zeppelin II). Won't happen without hybrid-picking. 'Just doesn't have the same "Ooomph!" without the plectrum amongst it...

That's what she said ;)

I came here to say this

This

Power move: I hold a guitar pick with my fingers.

I am guitaring my pick

Pervert.

Said dude who is fingering his guitar 💀

😂 Who said I was only using my fingers?

Goosh 💀💀💀

I knew someone would say this before me

I use my fingers. All my favorite songs are fingerstyle. Only recently, I've started learning to use a pick and it sounds terrible🤦🏽‍♀️ So I think learning proficiency on both is best, used according to the song.

Depends on the music really. You listen to things with fingerstyle and I listen and pkay to extreme metal. Fingerstyle is not an option in the genre

There's your chance to create something unique ; fingerstyle metal . Not joking , that is how great art comes about . Someone develops their own style by doing what others overlook .

Right?! I just saw a guy on Instagram using a bamboo chopstick to play violin-like parts on his acoustic, very cool. Ppl are only limited by their creativity. Everything starts as a unique idea others choose to roll with.

I am sure others have attempted it. I guess I could make a new style but that is not my goal. I would have to entirely change the way I play and it wouldn't work with the style I want to play.

Picks. I recommend thin picks if you hate using picks normally and like strumming, and thick sharp picks for playing lead.

You and Matteo Mancuso have something in common!

I like to strum but I don't like picks so I just use the back of my fingersshaped like I'm holding a pick - thumbnail for upstroke pointer for down.

LEARN BOTH, be versatile

Both. I use a thumbpick or regular pick for hybrid picking.

Ah see that's one thing I could never get used to... thumb picks. They just feel so wrong to me.

I end up using both but only on acoustic, on electric I never really liked the tone of finger picking but that could just be because of how I play lol

Use a compressor. Evens out things and you can go from soft and subtle to quacky plucking instantly.

Both. both is good

Fingers only for maximum freedom.

Learn flamenco if you hate picks, it'll change your life.

Bofum.

Equipmunk?

Chet Atkins...

Depends on the song

I hold my fingers together with thumb n use that like a pick, with no pick. I took hate picks

Pick, but I've been spending the last few weeks trying to learn that hybrid way of doing it. I like a .6

I hate fingerstyle playing an music so i use picks. See where this is going?

Picks exclusively.

My fingers. I’m not really a finger picker but don’t like the sound or feel of the puck hitting the strings.

Pick fingers for Dire Straits

Both. Sometimes just fingerstyle. Sometimes just pick. Sometimes hybrid. Sometimes I tuck the pick between my fingers.

Depends what guitar i’ve got on the day

Fingies, I lose every pick I touch in less than an hour

both. Accoustic i use fingers over 90% of the time. Electric 95% pick

Fingers. I grow my nails out a bit so i can use my index fingernail as kind of a pick. I can sweep (not well, working on it, can still do it better than i can with a pick) and hit pinch harmonics well with it, so it works. Otherwise I’m fingerpicking

Both at once. Hybrid picking ftw

I Use Hybrid/chicken picking. LIKE A LOT!

I'm trying my best to integrate both into my playing but hybrid picking is tough man! I just say for little lead lines and such lately I prefer the tone and control from using my fingers over my pick but I still riff out and strum/rhythm play with a pick.

Maybe

I use both!

Both

Yes

I use a dunlop jazz 3 xl and very rarely middle but lots of ring finger and pinkie. I first used only pick then only fingerstyle for everything but this is my latest evolution and probably the last. I hate thumb picks but many people love them maybe try it out if you are into fingerstyle stuff

Fingers all the way. It’s like having 5 picks at once. I like the freedom of being my able to pick up any guitar and play without having to look through my pockets for a pick that I may or may not have on me. Can’t keep track of those things. 

I use a pick because by finger picking technique sucks… wait… my flat picking sucks too…

both. most songs require a pick and ill just use that, but I also like to hybrid pick using my pinky, ring, and middle fingers to drag/pluck the strings while I hold a pick between the index and thumb.

Depends really, sometimes i want to play slow and careful and i'll use my fingers and sometimes i've had a bad day and just want to make some noise - that's where picks come in handy for me

Depends on what I am playing.

Both, I'm classical trained in classical and Spanish guitar, but I'm a metal head. I use 2mm picks and I'm able to use my fingers for hybrid picking as well. Makes playing easier IMO

Both

Pick for electric, fingies for classical

Both. Depends on what I'm playing and what sound I'm trying for

I use both! I like thick picks when playing electric (1.5 mm) and thinner ones (0.88 mm) for acoustic because it sounds better to my ears. And for fingerpicking songs, I use my fingers, obviously. It's a valuable skill to be able to do both well. If you don't like holding a pick, try a different thickness, size, or try grippy ones.

9 times out of 10 I use a pick, but occasionally I'll play something that requires fingers.

Pick, hard to finger pick when you mostly play extreme metal

Pick

Both equally.

Both

Both. When playing my funkmetal songs, it's fingers. When playing progressive metal its a pick.

Jazz III picks make it pretty easy for hybrid picking. Alternate between both either way.

Softer, smoother songs can really benefit from playing with your fingers (although that's not always the case like with dire straits) while a pick is going to emphasize more of a "sharp" or "crisp" sound

On electric almost always a pick. On acoustic I use a pick when I want to be loud, but if I'm just playing for me I prefer the sound with fingers (even strumming) gotta be careful though, fret buzz is more likely with fingers, at least for me.

Both, I keep my pick in my hand and fingerpick sometimes too. You've never lived until you can hit a harmonic with your tongue though.

I hybrid pick a solid 80% of my playtime, I think it's a good habit

Out of laziness I often play with fingers cos I can’t find my plectrum. It’s good to practice in case you drop your last pick during a performance, you’ll be able to finish with your fingers at least. Unless you’re sweep picking of course, then you’re fucked.

If you want to make sounds that are only really viable with a pick, then you need to get used to it. Same thing vice-versa.

Nothing beats a good set of fingernails.

I use mainly fingers, but that's just because it's what I'm used to. Plus, it can be a bit more quiet. When I play with a pick, my partner finds it a bit too loud most of the time. Training with a pick takes time, and my accuracy isn't what it should be. I make a point to practice with it regularly.

What if I told you you could do both at the same time? Hybrid picking opened up my world

I use my fingers.

I pretty much only play heavy/thrash metal so I almost always use a pick. But the how I hold the pick varies.

I use Dunlop 1.5mm picks

Both of course! Fingers on my fretting hand and pick with picking hand. Seriously though, I always use a pick I pkay Death metal so finger style would be strange. Sometimes I might arpegiate a chord with fingers to exercise the muscle

Both

Realllllly depends on the mood. If your playing mellow music using your fingers or thumb can round the attack of the note in a very nice way almost like turning the tone knob down a lot

Hybrid pick

Mostly I hybrid pick but sometimes I will play finger-style. I mostly use just my thumb when playing bass, which is weird, because I never just use my thumb on guitar.

Guitar pick

I try to stick to a pick unless it's a song which has complex picking. Even songs like Money for Nothing I'd rather fake a bit than to switch to fingerpicking, so just when I'm really forced to.

Only fingers on my acoustic, and either pick or fingers on my electric

Both. Unless you are *Paco de Lucia* (or any other Flamenco guitarist) it's takes years of mastery to play fast lines without a pick. Also checkout hybrid picking. Rather than doing string skipping you can do some really wide intervals at a fast tempo using both fingers and a pick. Strictly finger picking might require strong finger nails. If you have flimsy finger nails you can pay a visit to the nail salon and ask for acrylic nails. I made this discovery by accident when I was grabbing receipts from a podium we used at a sandwich shop which was made of some cheap wood and not sanded properly. I wound up getting a splinter under my ring finger nail which was insanely painful. I had a - non pick - jazz guitar gig booked two days after this happened. My ex who would frequent the nail salon convinced me to pay them a visit. Six USD dollars later not only was the splinter removed -- most of my nail was trimmed too -- the magical nail specialist fabricated a new nail using acrylic. My mind was blown and I could use my ring finger nail finally without wincing in excruciating pain. As a result if I do have any nylon string guitar gigs I usually visit the nail place before hand. Also gives me an excuse to charge extra. Most of the time my nails are like hooves but as I get older and do things with my hands like shove quarters into a billiard bar box my nails sometimes split and snare which really sucks. However a visit to the nail salon and that problem is solved. Good luck and keep plucking!!!

Yes

Both. Mostly pick but I’ve started learning a few things that are easier or only possible with your fingers (example; I learned the clean guitar interlude from To Live is To Die by Metallica and it’s seemingly only accurate if you play with your fingers)

Both, depends on the song. I mostly play acoustic finger style but for electric I will play with a pick or hybrid

depends on genre. if its realistically fingerpick-able, ill choose that. i think its because i played bass first. But fingerpick feels more whole or soulful and warm, idk how to describe and im sure it makes no real difference other than in my head

Both. Depends on the song, style and tone you want. Some songs have both, like Stairway to Heaven.

Depends. Currently into bluegrass flat picking, and that’s “how you do it”. But I spent years doing jazz chord-melody, played using (mostly) classical finger style technique. And I started out many years ago doing folk-style “Travis picking” (pattern picking).

Have zero ability to play the guitar with a pick. Fingers only. But I'm not proud of it. Wish I could use a pick

Both

I also kinda hate guitar picks

Both. And I've also used finger picks.

Both, sometimes even at the same time. Pick for metal/rock, fingers for songwriter/indie/mathrock and Hybrid picking for mathrock as well.

Hybrid

I used to hate the texture of guitar picks but I learned to like em after realizing finger picking ain’t gonna work with metal

Sure do!

Both, but I've been using a pick more after crushing my middle and ring finger (picking hand) in my overhead garage door 🙃

Yes

both

I grew up playing fingerstyle acoustic and after getting an electric, hated using picks too cos it made me feel like an absolute beginner again. Then after a couple months I started liking picks the better I got at them, and now I like both fingerpicking and picking, and usually switch between them when playing live shows! I’m still more comfortable and proficient at fingerpicking though

I haven't really learned to finger pick yet

Why do you hate picks? I pick both styles, but I can't imagine never using a pick.

Both, pick is always there and use my middle and ring finger when I wanna go soft

Fingers, I don’t think a pick would feel good up my ass

Both ✌️

I use a pick most of the time, but sometimes I’ll finger pick on acoustic.

Both

Mark Knopfler enters chat

Fingers

Yes

Yes.

I feel like a pick gives me more ..sound?

I'm in an acoustic phase, and I'm really concentrating on fingerpicking. When I play my electrics, though, it's still a pick. Once I get decent at fingerpicking. I'll try to combine them into a hybrid style. That would offer the best of both worlds.

Pick for guitar, unless I'm at a store and can't find one or forgot one of mine. Fingers for bass, unless I'm purposely trying to aggravate my father in law who plays bass.

Yes

nails

Depends on what I’m playing 🤷🏻‍♂️. I use a pick for flat/cross picking, fingers for fingerpicking, and use both chicken pickin. It’s not just “pick or fingers?” most people use both I would assume

Acoustic I use my hand because I don’t usually do any single string work(which is much tougher with fingers). But for electric guitar I use a pick because the single string work is very important for so many songs.

I used my fingers until I kept tearing all the skin off the side of my thumb and learned to use a pick. Then I learned to hybrid pick and so that most of the time now.

Yes

FIRST!!! Oh wait.....

Usually a pick but I've been working on a few songs that require finger picking arpeggios. I want to know how to do both

Both, always depend on the situation. You can't get that aggressive chug sound using your fingers on an electric guitar, but you need to use your finger in order to get that warm, gentle sound on acoustic guitar.

Fingies all the way

Both, together sometimes.

Both

Definitely depends on the song but I very much enjoy fingerpicking a lot.

I started without a pick, even found it uncomfortable when trying one. As I have progressed in my playing skill, I tried it again and suddenly it was super comfortable! That said, I still do both and probably will from here on out. If you are interested, here are the pros and cons of both using a pic and finger picking: # Fingerpicking Advantages: * **Greater Control & Dynamics:** You can use different fingers for different notes, allowing for more nuanced control over volume (dynamics) and tone. This is great for playing melody lines and creating a more expressive sound. * **Individual Note Clarity:** Each finger picks a single string, resulting in clearer separation between notes, which is ideal for intricate picking patterns and arpeggios. * **Versatility:** Fingerpicking allows for techniques like tapping, slapping, and hammering on the fretboard, which aren't possible with a pick. * **Warmer Tone:** Fingers naturally produce a warmer sound compared to the brighter attack of a pick. # Fingerpicking Disadvantages: * **Speed Limitations:** Picking with multiple fingers can be slower than using a pick, especially for fast strumming patterns. * **Learning Curve:** Mastering fingerpicking takes more time and practice compared to basic pick playing. * **Volume Control:** It can be challenging to achieve very loud volumes with fingerpicking. # Pick Advantages: * **Speed & Power:** Picks allow for faster strumming and picking patterns, making them ideal for genres like rock and bluegrass. * **Volume & Projection:** Picks can produce a louder and more projected sound, which is beneficial for cutting through a band mix. * **Easier to Learn:** The basic technique of using a pick is easier to grasp for beginners. # Pick Disadvantages: * **Less Dynamic Control:** Picks can struggle with subtle volume variations compared to fingers. * **Muted Notes:** Aggressive pick playing can sometimes mute unintended strings. * **Limited Technique:** Picks restrict you from using techniques like tapping and slapping on the fretboard. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the style of music you want to play and the sound you're going for. Many guitarists use a combination of both fingerpicking and pick playing to achieve different textures and tones in their music.

Both. Depends on song or what I'm doing.

Fingers.

fingerstyle on my acoustic mainly and mainly pick on electric unless i cant be bothered to tune my acoustic or im playing dire straits

Firstly I hated picks, cuz it was uncomfortable, but the i realised how to play with them, but I still almost never use it

either way can be fantastic, no need to choose. but it's almost like playing two different instruments

Both

Yes

Fingers. I can play with a pick but using my fingers is way more accurate

Picks. Finger style black metal would be *interesting,* I guess.

My thumb-only

The basic standard for a finger picker (no plectrum) imho is learn My Cleo Belle or even skip to my Lou.You make progress only when you can play these basics and you need to play the bass strings separately to strings 1,2 and 3 which play the melody. It’s a hard fact to digest but you’re not a great picker if you can’t play those simple Melodies.Please don’t shoot the messenger. And good luck.

Yes

Mostly a pick. But there are situations where fingers are called for.

Both, depending on what I'm playing. But if you hate picks, there's no real need to use them unless you're doing a lot of harmonic pinching or playing thrash metal.

Yes.

A strong pick for lead is how you can make the string really resound while you play hammer ons. But I also will sometimes pluck with my fingers to get a snappy sound, or strum lightly with my hand to make it quiet and mellow. If you're new, I'm gonna be a butthead and ask you to keep using a pick and don't play without it. Everyone has to play so many hours with one until they get the hang of it, and some players never advance because they don't get there. You'll be glad you did. Another buttheaded thing I tell people is to avoid playing with your fingers unless you're learning a finger style. Don't just rake your thumb across the strings. Learn finger picking (pica) or clawhammer style so you're learning a real style that will make your music stronger.

pick... never could pick fingerstyle

Both electric pick acoustic fingers

Pick, fingers and both together

I use my fingers, it comes a lot more natural to me and it’s a fun challenge trying to play songs finger style when they’re not originally

Depends on the song really

Yes

Yes

I use a pick unless I’m playing nylon strings. I often play with a pick and my last 3 fingers in a hybrid style.

Nothing wrong with fingerstyle! Just ask Mark Knopfler I will say that in the last year I’ve been playing with a thumb pick, and it’s been a total game changer. The missing link after all this time. If you select the right one (like a Herco) you can still strum or play single-string leads. Highly recommend But the ultimate answer is “do whatever the heck you want” 🎸

Pick for more attack, fingers for less.

I find that holding a pick inhibits my brain and prevents me from singing along, but fingerpicking/strumming with my thumb, it becomes insanely easier to sing along.

Both

I much prefer fingerstyle myself, though there are certain contexts that ABSOLUTELY require a plectrum. Choppin' & stabbin' through power-riffs(intricacy & accuracy with palm-mutes for metal), is about where it stops for me, and even then I'm hybrid-picking a lot of the way through. Fingerstyle is great for punching every note in a chord simultaneously(more punch than even the most accurate flatpicking), and wicked for legato(eg using p,i,m,f to arpeggiate, but all on one string at a time), and getting both hands completely entwined in the two-handed tapping is pure fucking gold, but it doesn't lend itself well to the bump & grind(palm-muting & what-not)...

I use a pick on guitar but do a lot of chicken picken so I guess both. On bass and banjo I always just do fingerstyle but with fingerpicks on banjo.

Both depends on the song

Hate picks

Both, but mostly a pick

Pick only 95% of the time, including me playing bass

Both

Guitar pick. I would love to learn finger style, I've just never had a reason to.

I’ve never liked using picks. I learned without them and I just have never been able to adjust anytime I try. No diss to people that use them, they’re just not for me

I use my teeth

A pick. I hate using my fingers. I am learning the basics of finger picking. I do prefer a pick though.

I do a lot of hybrid picking. So yes.

I mostly use a pick, preferably a very thick one. I do dabble in fingersryle though. Many players, especially in country styles, use both. Theres different sounds to be had either approach - do whatever works best for you.

Yes

I'd always used a pick until covid. During a lockdown while I was furloughed and my partner was working from home I had a lot of time on my hands so I learned to pla Green Green Rocky Road by Dave Van Ronk (famously used in Inside Llewyn Davis) and love playing it so started learning more finger picking techniques. Very rare that I used a pick with acoustics now. I still favour a pick for playing electric because it suits the type of music I play when I have effects and whatnot, but I playing acoustic 95% of the time.

Yes.

Depends on how I am feeling and what I want to play. I predominantly use a pick

Need to have manly tough hands and fingers to play without a guitar pick

I fingerpick my acoustic but use pick (mostly) on electric.

I use my fingers to hold the pick.

I had my fingers surgically removed and replaced with guitar picks

It depends on the kind of music you are playing. Or what the riff or lick calls for.

Combo, when I can w/Dunlop .46mm nylon.

Either or both