the avalance fingerpicking

[peter danielsen]

Does anyone know if leonard uses 3 fingers + thumb or
only 2 fingers + thumb for avalance
Peter

[its4inthemorning]

I recall, when browsing, that there was a discussion of this. You might browse through topics under Leonard Cohen's Music on this forum. Or, a long-shot, go to youtube and search there for something like "leonard cohen avalanche chords." I think there was a video demonstration there. I love Avalanche, sadly I play no musical instruments.

4

[Patyou]

3

[MaryB]

Peter,

I can verify that LC used his thumb and two fingers when he played this last night in Louisville. Wirebird was sitting next to me in the front row and recorded this. Right now, wirebird is in the process of flying back to Norway, but I am sure that he will be putting this on YouTube as soon as he is able and then you will have visible proof

Warmest regards,
Mary

[peter danielsen]

Thanks Mary
Ive been practicing this technique for years, but using three fingers and thumb. I dont know if it is at alle possible to play it fast enought with three fingers and thumb to get the flowing avalance style
Peter

[MaryB]

Ive been practicing this technique for years, but using three fingers and thumb. I dont know if it is at alle possible to play it fast enought with three fingers and thumb to get the flowing avalance style
Peter

Now you have me second guessing myself. When he started this song, I remembered your topic so I watched very closely so I could give you answer. I have always been most impressed on how fast his fingers fly over the strings. I watched to see if his ring finger was involved, and I'm 99.9% sure that it was not involved. There was movement, but I think it was just a normal reaction to the rapid movement of his forefinger and middle finger. Perhaps wirebird's video will fill in that .1% uncertainty I am now experiencing.

[sharon.e]

Ive been practicing this technique for years, but using three fingers and thumb. I dont know if it is at alle possible to play it fast enought with three fingers and thumb to get the flowing avalance style
Peter

Now you have me second guessing myself. When he started this song, I remembered your topic so I watched very closely so I could give you answer. I have always been most impressed on how fast his fingers fly over the strings. I watched to see if his ring finger was involved, and I'm 99.9% sure that it was not involved. There was movement, but I think it was just a normal reaction to the rapid movement of his forefinger and middle finger. Perhaps wirebird's video will fill in that .1% uncertainty I am now experiencing.

I know very little about guitar playing techniques, but enough to admire's LC's speed on the strings during Avalanche, so your Q sent me curiously looking at 'Songs From the Road' DVD that has many close-ups on LC's hands/guitar and I too see only two fingers..
My conclusion: i think Mary's description puts it accurately.

I found a YouTube link to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emP2LkF7WjI

Happy Post-Holidays
--Sharon

[Franks]

I think the YouTube video linked posted by Sharon definitely shows Leonard picked with 3 and sometimes just 2 fingers. The thumb plays the base strings E, A and D. The index finger the G and B strings.
I have not attempted Avalanche yet but I can play The Partisan which has a similar style and finger picking pattern. I play this with 3 fingers being thumb, index and middle finger. I use the thumb for the base part, the index finger for the G string and the middle finger for the B string.
So Peter Danielsen, if you are trying to master Avalanche, my recommendation is to try with 3 fingers, so thumb, and index and middle finger. It is a triplets pattern and I find these are easier to play with 3 fingers instead of 4.