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Hello @OhWowMan ;
I tried skimming the other comments, but I have to confess I really didn’t read through them. Why? Because they were pushing you to do the finger picking lessons. NO!
Ok, I started TAC over 3 years ago. For the first 2 years I did the finger picking exercises by finger picking and the flat picking exercises by flat picking. Then I quit using a flat pick altogether. I used finger picking for the flat picking exercises.
Why and with what results?
My reasons were exactly the same as yours except that I wanted to do finger picking instead of flat picking. So, obviously, I think your reasons are valid.
So, the results? I have grown so much in finger picking, way beyond just doing finger picking lessons, including extra stuff I found on YouTube. I had to figure out how to use my fingers for the flat picking exercises. How could I do the same techniques with my fingers.
Recently, I started using a flat pick occasionally. Not again, but really for the first time. I have messed around with a flat pick before I came to TAC, and I mentioned I used to do the lessons with a flat pick. But I never played a song, ever, with a flat pick. Why? I don’t know, I just didn’t want to. Now, I am actually playing songs with a flat pick occasionally. And you know what? I’m good at using a flat pick. The strings are all in the same place and my hand has already learned where they are.
So my suggestion? Don’t do any finger picking until you feel like it. Maybe never. Use a flat pick for all the finger picking lessons. That is challenging and will hone your flat picking skills and take them to the next level.
And if you ever want to add finger picking? Well, your hand will already know where the stings are and you won’t have much trouble. And for now, you won’t feel as if your energies are being divided.
I hope you do what you want and not listen to what you “should” do. My opinion.
MG 😀