Bert Farroach wrote:Hi Carolyn, thanks and I'll send you a PDF plus mp3 backing.
I went from guitar fingerpicking into lapsteel. So I'm used to playing without picks; it has a nice expression and damping is easier. And for instance I like Mark Knopfler's way of playing. Often without plectrum on the electric guitar.
That is exactly how my journey went.
I was an acoustic fingerpicker for decades and then arthritis got in the way.
I picked up lap steel and not having fingerpicks is natural for me.
I also have nice long and strong fingernails on my picking hand.
The only concession I made was I am now using a thumbpick.
The angle of thumb on a lap steel is just not conducive to not using a pick. At least in my naive opinion
but I do see some very good players not using one and it sounds fine to me.
I hate the darn thing but it is beginning to work for me a bit better.
I am having trouble getting rid of that irritating pick noise on the strings, that short little zzzzt as you pick the string.
Drives me nuts. Or more nuts might be more accurate.
I have stuff.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying.
. 
