Innes Campbell - Flatpicking Guitar Workshop

I was lucky enough to catch a guitar workshop by Innes Campbell during the Imbil Acoustic Weekend recently & picked up a few pointers on flatpicking guitar. Innes recently won first prize in the CMAA National Bluegrass Championships in Tamworth in flatpicking guitar. He passed around a 1.4mm Wegen plectrum that he uses to get a great clean attacking sound when picking single notes or strumming chords. His preferred string gauge is 13 to 56 for reasons of tone. Since his perspiration is fairly corrosive he prefers elixir strings which have a protective polymer coating. I found them to be long lasting strings which don't sound particularly bright when you put them on but they do last a long time. They don't corrode but they get furry after a lot of playing. To get tone that really projects my personal choice is Martin phosphor bronze strings either 12/54 or 13/56 depending on the guitar I am using. Important points Innes made were to improve your playing you need identify & work on your weaknesses & bring them up to par & also to split practise time between things he needs to work on & things he loves to play. Playing position was important as well as staying relaxed. You can check Innes & his music out here - http://www.myspace.com/innescampbell