The Jerry Byrd Thumb Pick Backstroke

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Chris Templeton
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The Jerry Byrd Thumb Pick Backstroke

Post by Chris Templeton »

I've posted about this before but worthy of a repost.
Jerry Byrd sometimes used a "backstroke" with his thumb pick. I use it all the time with steel and guitar.
Jerry used National thumb picks. Herco picks are a little soft for this technique.
Saves time going around strings.
I often play guitar with a dropped "D" and often alternate on the bottom two strings (1 & 5) using this technique.
The tone of the thumb nail on the bottom string adds definition.

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David Mason
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Post by David Mason »

I use Golden Gate EXTRA-heavy picks with the big x-tra flap on them ~ they are DIFFERENT not just heavy. I also glue a few strips of celluloid cut from a sacrificial regular pick inside on the flat part & rough them up with a rattail file & jam them on tight AND make a burnt offering to the thumbpick god to stay put. Johnny Winter ~ say no more.