Styles of Thumbpicks
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Overview and History[edit]
Like regular flat, guitar picks (plectrums), thumbpicks come in different styles and materials, though not to the degree of variability of flat picks, which are created with a number of materials, both natural and artificial. Historically, it is unclear as to who exactly invented the thumbpick, but the earliest record of invention can be attributed to George D. Beauchamp, founder of National Stringed Instruments, who applied for a US Patent "Pick for Stringed Musical Instruments (#1,787,136)" in 1928.[1] In the patent, Mr. Beauchamp writes, "This invention relates to a new and novel construction for picks for stringed musical instruments whereby a metal or steel pick adapted for use on the thumb or finger may be satisfactorily used instead of the present celluloid picks now in common use." It is clear that Mr. Beauchamp's work has influenced subsequent developments of the thumbpick over time.
Styles of Thumbpicks[edit]
Note that the terms used here are not in any way official, being descriptive rather than prescriptive. However, they provide an intellectual context when referring to types of thumbpicks.
Traditional[edit]
Traditional thumbpicks follow the basic Beauchamp design, which is generally a thin sleeve made from a single piece of material that wraps around the thumb and ends with a protruding point for plucking the string (shown to the left). Variations of this design, such as the Fred Kelly Speed Pick, split the protusion into two or three pieces to evoke different plucking tones. Other variations of this design utilize a different material for the point; for instance, using a metal sleeve and a delrin point. But in any of these cases, the pattern of a contiguous ring is maintained. Examples of these kinds of picks can be found from manufacturers such as National Stringed Instruments, Jim Dunlop, Fred Kelly, and Propik.
Hybrid[edit]
Hybrid thumbpicks are an interesting variation of the original design in that they combine a traditional flatpick and a sleeve to create a thumbpick. However, because the mechanism that makes contact with a string is in the shape of a standard plectrum, the hybrid thumbpick can be used both as a thumbpick, then held between the index finger and thumb for flatpicking.
References[edit]
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