Mike's Oud Forums

oud picks on nylon and steel string guitars

ricemutt - 6-28-2006 at 08:51 PM

Hi everyone. I was just hoping for some advice. I have been learning to play guitar with a regular pick lately--since I am a classical guitar player, and usually just use my nails. But I don't really like the feel of normal guitar picks, and from what I see, I like the look of oud picks, and the picks people use to play Tars, and I love the sound of persian and arabic music as well. I thought using an oud pick was a possibility. Does anyone have experience with this? On nylon or steel strings? Because I use both.

Thank you so much for any help!
John

peppeo77 - 6-28-2006 at 10:55 PM

Hi Ricemutt,
I've tried to use rishas on my guitars many times, both nylonstring and steelstring (on the electric one as well), but it's a bit strange. The distance between the strings is not as wide as the oud one and it's quite a problem with a risha-shaped plectrum (I've tried with a saz plectrum also), and the right arm on a guitar is not on the right position like on the oud to use a risha, expecially if you try to play standing up, and expecially with a thin-bodied instument. The wrist couldn't move correctly in such a position. Moreover, I guess this kind of plectrum fits perfectly just with double stringed instuments, for the use of tremolo (on the guitars this technique is not that used). Hope to be helpful, best regards, Peppeo.