I was 17 when I moved to Nashville. The great Hal Rugg named my blocking technique for controlling the length of notes “Pick Blocking” because I do use the picks a lot for muting. Although that name has stuck, it’s not the best description of what is actually going on. The term “pick blocking” suggests blocking solely with the picks, a better name would be “Fingertip Blocking”.
To prevent confusion and frustration, I urge players working on their blocking to stop trying to visualize ‘blocking with your picks” in order to reconcile what “Pick Blocking” implies. Pick blockers interested in accomplishing this technique need to know that it requires you to “web” the pinky and ring fingers to the middle finger at all times.
Experiment and find your own fingerings using this hand position. Everyone has different physical attributes, so there is no definite “one way” to finger a scale or phrase when using Fingertip Blocking.
UPDATE: This is my reply to a comment, it belongs here in the post, so I added it. – Paul
I would guess about a third of what I play is blocked by the actual pick itself, mostly with forward and backward roll choices. When picking descending lines moving across the ten strings I use the fronts of the “webbed” fingers (see video below) to accomplish the mute. I would guess about a third of my blocking is accomplished using those fingers.
For the ascending lines across ten strings, the backside of the thumb blocks the remaining third in the same fashion. After the thumb picks, for example, the 8th string and then my index finger picks the 6th string, the thumb moves into the position to strike the 7th string allowing me to block the 8th string using the backside of the thumb itself, not the pick. This is done before the index strikes the 6th string.
Here’s an excerpt of the “Pick Blocking” video from the Course:
Here’s a close-up of my right hand:
Avoid Hybrid
After much discussion and experimentation, Hal Rugg, Buddy Emmons and I agreed that Palm Blocking and Pick Blocking (Fingertip Blocking) are two separate techniques that can’t easily be blended because they require two completely different right hand positions.
Hal wanted to switch from Palm Blocking to Pick Blocking. At first, he was adamant on trying to use my preferred fingerings and even filmed my right hand. He was frustrated by the technique until he tried what I had originally suggested: “Web the pinky and ring finger to the middle finger and find your own personal fingerings that are easiest for you to play”.
Once he found the fingerings that worked best for him, his switch flipped, and he was able to apply Fingertip Blocking throughout his playing. You can hear the results of him using his own fingerings via the masterful technique displayed on his classic album “Altered Ego“ .
– Paul
Great!
This just cleared up a problem I’ve had trying to understand “pick blocking”, thanks a bunch.
Eddie Freeman
You are welcome…I am trying to get the word out as to exactly how I block.. There is so much inaccuracy being taught about my technique. I am so glad to finally have a forum to explain how its done… I would guess about a 3rd of what I play is blocked by the pick itself. That happens mostly with forward and backward roll choices…. When picking descending lines moving across the ten strings its as I described. I use the fronts of the webbed fingers to accomplish the mute. I would guess about a 3rd of my blocking is accomplished those fingers. For the ascending lines across ten strings the backside of the thumb blocks the remaining 3rd in the same fashion..For ascending lines, after the thumb picks say the 8th string and following my index finger picks the 6th string, the thumb moves into the position to strike the 7th string allowing the 8th string block using the backside of the thumb itself, not the pick. And this is done before the index strikes the 6th string….Since I moved to Nashville at 17 I was credited with bringing the pick blocking technique into prominence, If the name pick blocking remains as a name to describe my technique, I would assume this post may help demystify what’s actually going on with my right hand…..
Wanda,
Thank you for teaching me such a rock solid musical and technical foundation. The way you taught has carried me through a lifetime of accomplishments….I just recorded on “Night And Day” for a new Frank Sinatra tribute record…I thought of how you taught me songs like “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” instead of “Buckaroo” and the other Country songs I wanted you to teach me…..Thanks for not letting the student dictate the curriculum…I just wanted to publicly thank you for guiding me into a musicians dream!
Love,
Paul
Paul, thank you for your insights, priceless. Question: If, for example, one has picked string 2, and then intends to play string 6 and also wants to mute 2, how does the ‘webbed’ fingers method allow this? Or do you open the hand somehow? Generally, the muting of the close-in strings with your method works for me; the muting the larger, open-handed grips is a problem.
Rob,
Great question….I would pick the 2nd string with the middle finger webbed and then strike the 6th string with my thumb. As soon as I strike the 2nd string I move my webbed middle finger down in the position to strike the 3rd string which gets me away from the wider grip you mentioned as uncomfortable. So now the 2nd string gets blocked by the fronts of the webbed pinky or ring finger (not the pick). And all of that happens before the 6th string is picked so the notes sound clean and precise….Remember to practice technique slowly to prevent bad habits from creeping in….
Paul
Hi-So exactly which part of your fingers (pinky and ring) are touching the strings to do the blocking? Is it actually the fingertips? in the video it looks like it’s the fingernail side of your finger doing the blocking with your fingers curled around
more than needed to just do the fingertips. Is that a camera artifact?
Thanks-Love the course. Tab
Hi Tab,
For me, sometimes its the front of the fingernail, sometimes its the fingertips…As long as I web them to my middle finger pick the blocking or muting gets accomplished…..
How hard in your opinion would it be for a pro player at 69 years of age to try and change his right hand technique?
Hi Junior, I know how you well you block when you play! Hal Rugg decided to convert from palm blocking. As I was with Hal’s choice to switch, I am puzzled why you would want to change?
What I do in the method is teach every student all the possibilities so they can experiment upfront to find the perfect blocking direction for their physicality. It’s a heck of a mistake to not give students all of their options. Today, I am editing a new technique video showcasing how to use a guitar pick and fingers. That is a choice nobody teaches and why not?. It’s just as viable to use a straight guitar pick as it is to use a thumb pick. Players like Gary Adams and Sid Hudson could play as quick and clean using the guitar pick and fingers. So many flat pickers are adding the pedal steel into the fold, so why not first start this way if guitar is your main instrument?
Do you think a player of my age , 69, could be able to change his right hand style?