Flat picking.

[Akira]

What is it?

I'm doing a research project on The Carter Family, and I was reading about Maybelle's unique flat picking technique.

I was like "well that's nice but what the hell is flat picking?"

Probably a dumb question but anyhow...

[Benoit]

If I'm not mistaken flatpicking is mostly used to describe guitar players that use a plectrum (pick) to play acoustic guitar. I've only heard that term used when describing country music.

Not sure if it actually applies to electric guitar.

[Benoit]

From wikipedia :

Flatpicking is a technique for playing the steel-stringed acoustic guitar using a plectrum or flatpick. Although the term is used in other genres, it is probably best known as the lead guitar style in bluegrass music and old-time country music. Probably starting around 1930, flatpicking was developed when guitarists began arranging old-time American fiddle tunes as featured guitar breaks, rather than using the instrument for simple rhythmic accompaniment and the occasional bass run.


I wasn't too far in the woods

[Akira]

Ok, thanks. :)