Pick help

[Hysteria]

Getting back into playing again and now using a teacher, learning theory, chords, chord progression, etc.

I'm having a hard time finding my way of holding a pick. This may seem trivial, but I still haven't found MY WAY. Before, I never had a problem, but all I played was mostly power chords and such. Now that I'm a little more diversified with what I'm doing, I'm struggling.

I hold the pick a little loosely and while strumming, it moves around. I'm trying to keep loose to not be so stiff, but also not so loose that the pick moves around after so many strums.

I used to use a Dunlop 1.00 back in the day and now I've switched and like the feel of the 3.00.

Any thoughts or am I just making more out of it than I need to?

 

[MemphisHawk]

3mm pick??? seems unnecessary for a guitar to me.

 

[TheWelder]

For years and years I used the yellow Dunlop Tortex pick (.73mm / standard shape) for every application. I had also developed an unique and awkward grip with my pick - I would pinch it between my thumb and middle finger with my index finger adding just a bit of support. I would also hold the pick sideways so instead of using the tip of the pick to strike the stings I would use the side of the pick (wierd, I know).

About five years ago I started to take lessons from a local jazz player and instructor. I told him that my main goal was to be able to play faster and cleaner leads. He immediately suggested that I change picks and change my pick grip. He suggested Dunlop Jazz IIIs (1.38mm) which are small and come to a sharp point. He also made me play the 'correct' way which meant holding the pick between my thumb and index finger and using the tip to strike the string. This was very strange for me at first, but after forcing myself to play this way for about a week I started to become comfortable with it. Now, five years later, I couldn't imagine playing any other way. My picking is much cleaner and faster in part because the Jazz IIIs have a smaller surface area there is less of a chance of hitting the wrong string and getting extraneous pick noise.

So, long story short, when it comes to pick and grip advice I always suggest the traditional pick grip (between thumb and index) and Jazz IIIs. Also, if you are working on lead playing, it is important to alternate down and up strokes. Of course, this is my personal preference and it may not work for everyone but it did help me tremendously.

 

[colchar]

Getting back into playing again and now using a teacher, learning theory, chords, chord progression, etc.

I'm having a hard time finding my way of holding a pick. This may seem trivial, but I still haven't found MY WAY. Before, I never had a problem, but all I played was mostly power chords and such. Now that I'm a little more diversified with what I'm doing, I'm struggling.

I hold the pick a little loosely and while strumming, it moves around. I'm trying to keep loose to not be so stiff, but also not so loose that the pick moves around after so many strums.

I used to use a Dunlop 1.00 back in the day and now I've switched and like the feel of the 3.00.

Any thoughts or am I just making more out of it than I need to?

I struggled with finding a grip that worked for me (holding pick between the pad of the first finger and pad of the thumb with the pick tilted back rather than forward and with a finger braced on the guitar). When I finally settled on the most comfortable method I had to re-learn stuff like double-stops because it was difficult picking across two strings (strumming and single notes were great though). It just took some time before it worked out.

So I suggest that A) you try a variety of different methods to see which is most comfortable for you and then just put the time in to make it second nature and B) that you use a thinner pick because I think the ones you are using are far too thick for someone who is trying to find a comfortable way to pick (a 3.00 - seriously?!?!).

Others with more experience will probably offer far better advice than me though.



ETA: Here is a good thread from a while back (there will be plenty of similar threads here too):

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gui...elop-their-picking-technique-guitar-bass.html