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J*******

Generally speaking the lenght of the sound depends on

1)  The quality and newness of the strings

2) The age of the guitar [guitars older than 2 years generally suffer from glue fatigue...in other words the glue wears out from the vibration and the wooden parts simply fall apart].  Most classical players will only use a guitar for two years, having the next guitar built at the same time.

3) The materials used in the guitar.  For instance the Gibson Les Paul guitar is famous for the lenght of note [sustain] ... simply because of the design [neck continues into body in one piece] and the quality and hardness of wood used.  Brian May's 'Red Special' is built of oak, for instance.

4) In an electric guitar, the note can be elongated by use of compression...and by use of overload and distortion pedals and pre-amp overloading.  Compression is always necessity in studio acoustic guitar playing.  ['More Than words Could Ever Say' by Extreme]

The size of the pick is the least impotant part of the chain.

However a small pick will generally encourage a quieter way of playing, and as the leverage will be less than a large pick then the sound will be smaller and thus will be shorter.  Very favoured by jazz players.

There are many picks made of different material which will give longer or shorter sounds.  A professional session player will always have a selection of picks for differing purposes.

For instance, mandolin players will use a felt pick, which will, not only give a shorter sound, but also a quieter softer sound.

A lot of guitar players, including myself, have experimented with picks made of metal [gives a harsh brittle sound] made of stone [can give a unique raspy sound] coins of all sorts [gives an extremely dirty noisy sound].  the UK threepenny piece with its thick six sided design..was a favourite [Jimmi Hendrix] also the UK sixpenny piece with it's serated edge [Brian May?]

The favourite pick for Marshall type chunky, dirty sounds is the bog standard grey plastic 'USA Nylon' pick.  It can be used for normal quiet playing, for big loud playing.  When it is used upside down, because of the roughness, it will give an extremely dirty noisy sound which is part of the Marshall Stack sound.  Using it side on and stopping the strings with the heel of the hand will give that very identifiable Marshall Chunk [on full distort].  It is also the best for 'pick slides' as the nylon is hard wearing and will not be damaged by the strings when 'sliding'.

Finally, the smaller the pick, generally the faster you can play.  Also the larger the pick the less feeling will be transmitted from the fingers/personality of the player.

I hope this helps...you are now subscribed to 'One Minute With Dec'
Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
mailto:dec@makehits.co.uk

"9 Days to release of '57 Secrets of a Hit Record'"  check out 57@makehits.co.uk or call 01323.728005 [+44.1323.728005]

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
mailto:dec@makehits.co.uk

'Makehits Demo Consultation Service' the Industry Standard critique service used by the industry to tell will a project make money...Dec at his best! A full CD of Dec's comments plus a 17 page critique and a copyright certificate.  Check out http://www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm or call UK 01323.728005 [+44.1323.728005]

Regards

Dec 

You may use any part of this 'One Minute' in your own publications...we simply require you to add:

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'One Minute With Dec' is written each week by Dec Cluskey. Dec's advice?

Get in touch personally to discuss what you want to achieve in music dec@makehits.com

web: www.makehits.com or call +44 (0)1323.728005

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The gags: ..... Indian Wisdom

An old Indian Chief sat in his hut on a reservation, smoking a
ceremonial pipe and eyeing two US government officials sent to interview him...

"Chief Two Eagles," asked one official, "You have observed the
white man for 90 years. You've seen his wars and his material wealth. You have
seen his progress and the damage he has done."

The chief nodded in agreement.

The official continued, " Considering all these events, in your
opinion, where did the white man go wrong?"

The chief stared at the government officials for over a minute and
then calmly replied...

"When white man found the land, Indians were running it...

No Taxes,
No Debt,
Plenty Buffalo,
Plenty Beaver,
Women did all the work,
Medicine Man was free,
Indian man spent all day hunting and fishing,
All night enjoying spouse."

Then the chief leaned back and smiled...

"Only white man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that."