Will practicing fingerpicking on heavy strings make me better?

[OpenClose]

I play exclusively clawhammer for both acoustic and electric, as well as clawhammer and Wooten-style slap for bass.

Yeah for finger picking you are going to want stiffer strings. So if you have an acoustic, practice on that. They usually have stiffer strings.

The reason being, when you first start, your fingering will be a bit ham-handed (yeah yeah that's what she said and whatnot). With that much force, it's hard to pluck one string without hitting the ones next to it, and hard to precisely find string if they are moving around.

Over time as your motor skills get more fine, you start playing more delicately only moving the fingers as necessary, and then looser strings get easier.

By the way, I figured out right-hand harmonics in clawhammer and is way more consistent and reliable than with pick. You basically put your thumb at the harmonic point, pluck with your index finger, and immediately release your thumb. I'll see if I can post a link if a song where I used this.

[loveslongnails]

I doubt it would have any effect on electric guitars. Possibly on acoustic, but the differences are not so great, in my opinion, to help your technique.

[Elliegirl]

Play and practice on whatever strings feel the best to you. I typically use.009 or.010 sets. My husband uses.011 sets on electric and.012 sets on acoustic and I don’t feel like it helps me get any better when I play or practice on his guitars. The strings just feel heavier than I like.

[rockytherock]

Yeah, sure it would. It makes your hands stronger and faster to put that pressure so it will be like touching butter once you're on those lighter strings, like all the pro guitar players do that. You'll get them nice callouses too.

[BipBipLeddus]

I didn't and I'm fine at it. After all, heavier strings are also harder to bend on.

I'd say just try it and if it works, it works.

[Anonymous]

Fingerstyle on guitar is all about timing and accuracy, so whatever finger strength you'd gain by using thicker strings would be pointless

[Throwdownxxx]

My suggestion would be to play on whatever strings you want to play on normally. I wouldn’t switch strings for practice sake.

[jahaims]

Practicing anything makes you better. That is the reason for practicing.

[whosnumber1]

it can help. I prefer to use ultra lights things on electric

[Wise4myage]

Try experimenting and then see what you like the most.

[Anonymous]

it'll help you develop bigger or deeper or more caluses

[Joker_]

@siseñor can help you

[KatherineJ]

I use lighter stings.

[In_Trance]

No probably not