I went to a song circle last night, sort of bluegrass oriented, where we have a lot of beginners. I was trying to give some tips to a guy who can't decide between using a flat pick or a thumb pick on how to get the "boom chuck" rhythm - ie. bass note followed by a chord strum.

In discussing how, with thumb pick, he could use either a thumb bass note followed by an "up pluck" of the strings with the remaining fingers, or a "down scratch" with the index finger (Carter Family style). He asked "Why can't I play two notes in succession with the thumb (or the flat pick)instead of the pluck or scratch to get the boom chuck rhythm?"

I wasn't sure what to tell him. I thought it would be hard to separate the downbeat emphasis from the lighter offbeat that way, but am not sure. Also I replyed that you lose the harmony of the full chordal sound. But I'm not sure I convinced him.   What would be your response to this question, Mudcatters ??