Well, calling anything "prissy" is automatically damning it.

I like finger-picking sometimes, and sometimes not. I don't usually like pattern-picking over and over, the same pattern, but this, too, can be effective. It's fairly easy, not much more difficult than strumming, and people can get quick results and be able to accompany themselves. Nothing wrong with that.

I sometimes find rather fancy finger-picking oppressive to listen to and don't do much fancy picking myself, although I do mostly play finger-style.

I'm afraid I don't care in the slightest about what young people like to listen to, rapidly approaching middle-age, as I am.*

To my way of thinking, the point of "finger-picking" is polyphonic playing. At a certain point, the distinction blurs between playing chord melodies combined with runs, pattern-picking, and polyphonic playing as in the music of, e.g., John Dowland or Sylvius Leopold Weiss. My goal is to be able to play freely and by ear. I haven't acheieved this, but I feel that I'm approaching it. I have good days and bad days.

One can play in a similar style using a flat pick. There are advantages and disadvantages to this, too.



* Don't tell him, but he's reached it.