Guest Joerg, thanks. Actually, I have been playing/singing for 20 years and don't have the problem you described. Most of those years I was a flat picker, or simply played various folk strums when singing. I have sung with a group for most of those 20 years, but also do solo stuff. The fingerpicking thing justs intrigues me. I have become quiet adept at the picking, but really haven't concentrated on fingerpicking the meoldies. In fact, what I find myself doing is actually using the thumb pick to pick out melodies (falling back on my flat picking skills). I think I probably just need to spend some time working on this, alone, but I'm certain I'll get it in time.

Thanks.

Jim