rotating pick

[DDP]

So I have always had issues with holding pics, after a little time I fumble with the damn thing. I used to boil my picks until they were soft then grab em with my fingers so they mold around my index, this helped quite a bit but a pain in the butt to do. After many years off I am starting to play again and still having issues with the picks. Just today I finally figured out what the issue is. when I pick or strum, the pick rotates counterclockwise. The pointy end starts at the strings but then rotates to be pointy at the palm of my hand. I used to use Dunlop tortex, but just recently found Max-grip. Other than tensing up my hand and smashing the pick between my finger and thumb... any ideas what I can do differently?

 

[jerrypilot]

Are you holding the pick only with thumb and forefinger ? If so , try introducing the big finger , holding it like a pen . If this works , you might also find that you end up with the angle at which your hand picks changes and makes your picking cleaner .

 

[AngryHatter]

V-picks

 

[revtime]

When I play bass with a pick I use the uniform ones with 3 equal sides. That way if I pop/slap or something the pick comes back ready to go without fumbling to make sure its back in fingers the right way.
Perhaps those kind of picks would work for you as they rotate it won't matter because all 3 points are the same.

 

[Sakamoto]

I've found that punching a hole in the pick allows for a much better grasp.

 

[Davet]

I had the same problem and have been experimenting with different picks. Right now my preferred picks are Herco's, I've never had a problem with them rotating back.

 

[RocknRollGypsy]

I do the same thing... try v picks or gravity picks. They are pricey, but they don't move once you start playing with them. After a few minutes the warmth from your fingers makes them VERY slip resistant.

 

[twst1up]

embrace it....i do the same thing, not sense in trying to change it now.

or...use a round pick

 

[AngryHatter]

When I play bass with a pick I use the uniform ones with 3 equal sides. That way if I pop/slap or something the pick comes back ready to go without fumbling to make sure its back in fingers the right way.
Perhaps those kind of picks would work for you as they rotate it won't matter because all 3 points are the same.

 

[Neofelis Nebulosa]

Snake pick anybody?

New Inventors: Snake Pick

 

[AngryHatter]

No thanks.

 

[fsenseman]

I've found that punching a hole in the pick allows for a much better grasp.

I do this as well. I've got a one hole punch in my guitar toolbox (along with cables, picks, slides, polish etc )

Often times I will punch two overlapping holes, the overlap leaves little parts that are pointy in the hole that help even more with grip.

That being said, I am also fond of V-Picks (Screamer model). Pricey, and takes a light touch (for me) but they do tend to slip less. I've found the clear models to be more slip proof than the pearly gates (kind of a white color.) I think the material is different to accommodate the dyes used in the acrylic.

Thing with v-picks, you have to give yourself time to get used to them. I'm very comfortable with them on my LP. Recently I picked up a used Tele and I'm just now getting comfortable with the v-pick on it. Of course, I'm just now getting comfortable with the tele

Kind Regards,
Fleet

 

[RocknRollGypsy]

I agree about the white v-picks... I personally prefer the red ones. I feel they slip the least, and are easier to find when you drop them...

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Another vote for poking holes in your favorite picks, here.

 

[bscenefilms]

Another vote for poking holes in your favorite picks, here.

Ain't tried this. Will need a drill press I think (2mm).

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Ain't tried this. Will need a drill press I think (2mm).

Nah, just tape 'em to a piece of wood and drill a couple holes in with your cordless. Though you might wanna use a carbide bit, with 2mm of thunk to work through.

 

[Trewblue]

I use the Standard model in 1.26mm.
Steve Clayton USA - Acetal Guitar Picks

They also have these pick tacs...might help!
http://www.steveclayton.com/picktac.php

 

[Herco]

I had the same problem and have been experimenting with different picks. Right now my preferred picks are Herco's, I've never had a problem with them rotating back.

+1 on that...

 

[JonR]

So I have always had issues with holding pics, after a little time I fumble with the damn thing. I used to boil my picks until they were soft then grab em with my fingers so they mold around my index, this helped quite a bit but a pain in the butt to do. After many years off I am starting to play again and still having issues with the picks. Just today I finally figured out what the issue is. when I pick or strum, the pick rotates counterclockwise. The pointy end starts at the strings but then rotates to be pointy at the palm of my hand. I used to use Dunlop tortex, but just recently found Max-grip. Other than tensing up my hand and smashing the pick between my finger and thumb... any ideas what I can do differently?

I presume you are holding the pick between thumb and index (side of index?), and pointing it at a slight angle across the strings.
IOW, with the flat side not parallel to the strings, but angled so it's down to your left and up to the right (bridge side). (the edge of the pick on the wrist side is higher than the other.)
If your downstrokes are then stronger or more frequent than your upstrokes (which they generally will be, yes?), they will naturally tend to push the tip back towards the bridge, so it rotates.

I find this whenever I try to hold the pick in the normally recommended grip. But the way I taught myself (decades ago) works fine. I hold it beween thumb and tips of index and middle (something like a pen). That way it can't rotate, plus it allows much more variety of angle and attack.
The disadvantage is it's not ideal for very fast picking of single notes. But is better for strumming (IMO) than the usual way.
(AFAIK a few famous players hold it same way as me: Pat Metheny for one.)

I use Jim Dunlops, btw, which have a stippling that aids grip, but even smooth picks don't rotate in my hand.

 

[Hi Bsquared]

+1 on that...

x2ed