Soft vs Hard Picks

[Codeseven]

I'm finding that soft pics, ala .38mm Nylon, are much easier for me to use. But, I'm getting the feeling that they're easier because they're very 'forgiving' and don't require the accuracy and perhaps as much skill a thicker, much more stiff pics ''seems to require (to me anyway). Especially noticeable is how much easier it is to pick a string multiple times while doing alternate picking. I tend to get hung up at times with thicker pick.

I don't particularly like the duller and louder sound of a soft pic on the the strings, the thicker pics seem to make a sharper, louder sound but thats offset by the ease of a thin pick.

I play mostly rock and blues.

So, is using a thin pick better for beginners but the better you get you should be using thicker pics?

 

[Hanover Fist]

I used to go for the soft (thinner) picks when I first began playing years ago. When I switch to the harder (thicker) ones, I found my picking speed increased immensely.

 

[kevinpaul]

I get the adjustable one made out of fore skins The come in only four colors.

 

[Codeseven]

I used to go for the soft (thinner) picks when I first began playing years ago. When I switch to the harder (thicker) ones, I found my picking speed increased immensely.

Hi HF.

Maybe it is a 'start out learning with a forgiving soft pick then later get used to a hard pick' thing.

 

[Drew71]

You might try no pick. Use your thumb and fingers or just the thumb.

 

[JonR]

I'm finding that soft pics, ala .38mm Nylon, are much easier for me to use. But, I'm getting the feeling that they're easier because they're very 'forgiving' and don't require the accuracy and perhaps as much skill a thicker, much more stiff pics ''seems to require (to me anyway). Especially noticeable is how much easier it is to pick a string multiple times while doing alternate picking. I tend to get hung up at times with thicker pick.

My personal rule is "thin for strumming, thick for lead".
For lead playing, I find a relative rigid pick is best (held fairly loosely) - but no thicker than 1.00 for me, and normally I use 0.88 - while the way a thin one gives is better for strumming: you can grip it as hard as you like, nothing breaks or catches - no "hang-ups". I wouldn't normally go below 0.60 though; I have occasionally used 0.40 or 0.38, but never for lead playing.

For lead playing - especially fast - I find a bendy pick is too hard to control. I wouldn't want it to give at all before picking the string, otherwise there's a microsecond between the pick striking the string and leaving it to sound. IOW, pick touches string > pick bends > pick leaves string vibrating. The thicker (more rigid) the pick, the more positive and direct the transmission from fingers to string. But then you do need a sensitive pick grip, able to hold it fairly loosely without dropping it; and also able to control the minimal string contact it requires. (With a thin pick, it doesn't make as much difference how much of the pick contacts the string, how far the point goes below the string; with a thick pick that's critical.)

However, a lot depends on string gauge, pick design (shape of point), where you strike the string (how far from the bridge), and how you actually hold the pick.
Generally, the lighter the strings, the lighter the pick should be (IMO). I definitely wouldn't use a 1.00 on 9s or less, even for lead. I use 10s on electric and 11s on acoustic, and use the same picks on each - and I often resort to thumb and fingernails too.
Because I play both rhythm and lead (in the same song), I need a medium thickness pick, and usually go for 0.73 or 0.88.
I hold the pick between tips of thumb, middle and index - not in the standard curled index grip (between thumb and side of index). I find that gives me much better control of attack and dynamics. But then I don't play a lot of superfast lead lines... YMMV.

I don't particularly like the duller and louder sound of a soft pic on the the strings, the thicker pics seem to make a sharper, louder sound but thats offset by the ease of a thin pick.

My experience is the opposite! I'd say thin picks make a toppier, brighter sound. Thick picks are louder yes, but sound warmer, more mellow to me.
Thin pick, thin sound; thick pick, thick sound.

So, is using a thin pick better for beginners but the better you get you should be using thicker pics?

For my students (learning acoustic) I always recommend thin picks (maybe between 0.40-0.70), but that's because they're starting with strumming chords. Thin ones are much more forgiving - as you say - while developing the right strumming action and grip.

I'm a bit concerned by your statement that (regarding single-string alternate picking) thin picks "don't require the accuracy and perhaps as much skill a thicker, much more stiff pick 'seems to require". That may be true to begin with. They can be forgiving of a crude picking technique. But then that won't encourage you to improve on that crudity - IOW, they let you get away with poor technique.
Of course, that's not a problem as long as everything sounds OK! It might turn out to be an issue as your speed increases, when you might find the thin pick is not responsive enough. But then you just need to get a pick a notch or two thicker and work on up.

Personally - having said all the above! - I wouldn't worry about it. Always have a few thicknesses available, and focus on your accuracy, timing, tone and dynamics - and synchronisation of pick hand and fretting hand. Don't rush to play fast, but focus on making it clean, accurate and smooth. Use whatever pick seems to produce the best-sounding results.

 

[Royal Crimson]

^what he said.

 

[huw]

I usually carry about four or five picks in my pocket at all times, usually half & half "thick & thin".

My idea of 'thin' is the standard Dunlop tortex picks in yellow (0.73 mm) and my idea of 'thick' is the medium size Big Stubby in purple (2.0 mm).

I'll go through phases of mainly playing one or the other, or alternating depending on use. Like Jon says 'thin for strumming' : when we play Pinball Wizard I'll use the .073 pick (although I have used the stubby for that at times).

I hear a difference in tone between the two, and more importantly, a different feel. At the moment, I'm using the yellow ones more than the purple ones, but that's a recent change - the purple ones have been my main choice since 2010. Before that it was then yellow ones etc etc

String gauge plays a part, too, although my preference is the opposite of Jon's - I'll (generally) use a heavier pick on lighter strings, and vice versa. My reasoning is that I like a certain amount of flexibility where the pick meets the strings, and if the strings are less flexible then I'll use a thinner pick to re-introduce some flexibility into the system. I won't go to extreme's though - I won't go heavier than the 2mm stubby, or (that much) lighter than the 0.73mm yellows.

FWIW it's all personal, and relative. The other guitarist in my band uses the heavier 3.0 mm Big Stubbys, and then turns the pick around and uses the butt-end...

It works for him.

 

[JonR]

String gauge plays a part, too, although my preference is the opposite of Jon's - I'll (generally) use a heavier pick on lighter strings, and vice versa. My reasoning is that I like a certain amount of flexibility where the pick meets the strings, and if the strings are less flexible then I'll use a thinner pick to re-introduce some flexibility into the system.

I agree, actually. I never play strings any heavier than 11s these days, but I can imagine that a stiff pick on really heavy strings is going to feel somewhat, er, brutal.
OTOH, I wouldn't feel comfortable with a heavy pick on light strings. I wouldn't want it too bendy, but neither would I want anything rigid.
As I said, over the years I've fallen into the routine of (what I regard as) "average", with both strings and picks. 0.73 or 0.88 on 10s or 11s. And occasionally 0.60 for strumming acoustic (11s) - which I can use on electric 10s, but it feels a little underpowered.

Just once in a while, if I get a chance to play jazz, I might fit 11s on my electric, and go for a 1.0 or 1.5 pick - nothing heavier (I don't own anything heavier!). But that combination does require a light touch.

As you say - YMMV.

 

[paco1976]

I'm finding that soft pics, ala .38mm Nylon, are much easier for me to use. But, I'm getting the feeling that they're easier because they're very 'forgiving' and don't require the accuracy and perhaps as much skill a thicker, much more stiff pics ''seems to require (to me anyway). Especially noticeable is how much easier it is to pick a string multiple times while doing alternate picking. I tend to get hung up at times with thicker pick.

I don't particularly like the duller and louder sound of a soft pic on the the strings, the thicker pics seem to make a sharper, louder sound but thats offset by the ease of a thin pick.

I play mostly rock and blues.

So, is using a thin pick better for beginners but the better you get you should be using thicker pics?

You should get a thick pick in order to start building your technique.
The "soft for strumming" is not justifiable in my opinion, it is a more forgiving pick as you say, but a guitarist is not either strumming either playing solos or whatever... he's doing anything at any time. There is nothing you can do with a soft pick that you cannot do with a thick one.
The soft pick is never better, as soon as you get a guitar for the fist time you start building your technique, therefore start getting used to thick picks.

Really, I don't think there is much discussion in this topic. The sooner the better.
And my personal suggestion: first improve your picking technique, much later on start building fingering technique, and at last mix both. Don't try to go too fast, so start with the thick pick and let the time pass... reason for it is that if you start with your fingers you'll never use a pick.

In the beginning there are many factors that will stop you from progressing with the guitar, a bad pick, holding the guitar wrongly, disregard the picking techniques, disregard harmony, abuse of power chords, etc etc.

 

[Codeseven]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Reading over the responses there seems to be a general sentiment to move away from the easier, more forgiving thin picks to the thicker picks. Thats the way I feel about it. Building a bit more precision and feel using a thicker pick can only be a good thing.

 

[kfowler8]

I use a 1.5mm for electric. I can't imagine using anything else.

For acoustic I use a Medium thickness. Not sure what mm that is but like others said it's a lot more comfortable when you're not doing a lot of picking.

Using a thicker pick takes some time getting use to but it's well worth the transition.

 

[Codeseven]

Went down to my local Music Store to grab some picks that are in between .38-.60 (I've already got thicker than .60), figured I'd work my way up to a stiffer pick. The store owner, a guitar guy, pretty much mirrored what you guys said. He uses a thin pick for strumming and acoustic but almost always a thicker pick on electrics, certainly for lead.