Dan Crary: Unique Method Of Holding Flatpick
By John Hill:
Eclectic California flat picker Dan Crary performs a medley comprised of “Fishing Creek Blues,” “The Blackbird,” “Turkey in the Straw,” “Bonaparte’s Retreat” and “Arkansas Traveller.” From the DVD “Legends of Flatpicking Guitar.”
About the artist:
“Dan Crary (aka Deacon Dan Crary) (born September 29, 1939 in Kansas City, Kansas) is an American bluegrass guitarist. He is also a Speech communications Professor at California State University, Fullerton.
He helped re-establish flat picked guitar as a prominent soloing bluegrass instrument. Crary is an innovator of the flatpicking style of guitar playing.
Crary categorizes himself as a “Solo flatpicker” and has recorded several projects that feature him along with guests, usually other innovators of the guitar in all styles. A stylist with an international reputation for innovation, taste, and brilliance.
His performance style blends traditional material from a variety of American sources and continues to blaze exciting new territory in his recordings and personal appearances today. Dan is a veteran of tours in more than thirty countries as he connects musically and personally with fans throughout the world. If creativity, quality, and longevity are hallmarks of artistic achievement, then Dan Crary must be recognized as one of the greatest traditional artists of our day.” (From: Bluegrassonthetube.com; Wikipedia; dancrary.com)
Thanks John Hill for that info. I can’t help but chime in here, seeing how I’ve studied guitar from Dan Crary as he was and is my big influence.
Take a look at the way Dan is holding the flatpick on this video…
I’ve always thought it unusual how he was holding it (with thumb and two fingers). I know a few guitarists now that are doing it the same way, one being Beppe Gambetta who was doing a guitar duet with Dan Crary for a while. (Seems like that would be a great match). There’s inherent power in holding the pick with more than just the thumb and the index finger, so it’s not going to be as much work to get the tone out when you hold the pick like that. The other method of course is to hold the pick in a fist. This will give the best tone with the least amount of tension.
Author: Robert Harris
What kind of guitar is that?
He’s playing a Taylor in this vid. But Dan used to play a Mossman… I thought that was a great guitar.
I thought it was a Taylor, but the pick guard threw me off.
WE should try to encourage him. I think if he keeps out he will get really good one day. 🙂
*at it
Are you still teaching at Fullerton? I’m 73, retired Pain Management Specialist. I had to retire twice to get through due to Medical director leaving. He and I did procedures and he wasn’t a partner, I was. Took 2 years to hire and train replacement so what started out in December of 2016 ended up March 2019. Now I am trying to regain the skills I had in my 20’s. with surprising success. COVID has me home practicing most every day. Before this happened I met Steve Spurgin who subsequently moved to Northern Arizona. We have not had the opportunity to play together but, one day…
Hey Steve,
Great to hear from you but I think you are mistaking me with someone else. I am just teaching on Youtube and I live in New Jersey (I know, Bob Harris is a common name. )
I met Dan Crary years ago and did a few twin bill gigs with Berline Crary and Hickman, and then met up with him again a couple years ago as a guest guitarist with Beppe Gambetta and Dan (their duo). Needless to say it was a blast. I haven’t heard from Dan since then but remember what a great guy he is and the incredible playing. Still to this day I think he’s the best fiddle tune flatpicker on the planet. Sounds like you are getting some good time in on your guitar and wishing you a happy 2021! bob