Holding The Guitar Pick

http://www.28dayrockstar.com

Holding the pick and feeling comfortable can be one of the most challenging areas for the guitarist.

Richard shares some great advice on how to hold the plectrum for lead work as well as strumming and other styles...

Regarded as one of the UKs finest guitar coaches, Richard has held long term, respected positions in the field of music education including 'Principle Guitar Tutor' at the Essex Musicians Centre, England for 9 years and 'Resident Guitar Teacher' at Orwell Park School - the UKs number 1 prep school for 5 years.

Throughout his 16 years as a guitar tutor,
Richard has developed his unique way of teaching the guitar, which is more of a coaching based system than traditional lessons and integrates his vast experience with some of his most valuable strategies for maximizing you along your guitar journey. Richard has coached and worked with BRIT Awards winners and Grammy Nominees.

http://www.28dayrockstar.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Plectrum
• Pick
• Guitar
• Lessons
• Blues
• Rock
• Pop
• Jazz
• Metal
• Soul
• Creativity
• Self
• Expression
• Koopa
• Fender

[JawrL95]

i play lots of thrash so palm-muted 16th notes and gallops are a must. when i pick ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^­^^^^^^^^^ i tend to angle my pick (left side up towards my face) is this a problem or should i practice having my pick always parallel to the strings? HELP

[richarddeyn]

@JawrL95

problem? no

challenge? yes --- LOL

its my opinion that you should aim to angle the pick left side DOWN. the easiest way is to slightly bend your thumb. this way is more in natural sympathy to the flow of the hand and your physiology.

You can keep it your way and many do (even zakk wylde) BUT - you are compromising flexibility and i would wager that there is an element of tension in your fore arm this way.

hope it helps - let me now. Rich

[jo7dan118]

i do your method exept i rest my pinkie nd wedding finger on the pick gaurd

is that also fine ??

[richarddeyn]

Its not ideal although it can still work well.

I believe that there is no 'correct' way to do anything. With guitar, I have looked for the most effective and symapthetic ways to hold the pick. If you hold your fingers on the pick guard, you are compromising flexibility, reach and you are relying on your thumb joint for your movement rather than the wrist.

Experiment for at least 28 days thoroughly with each way. I look forward to hearing to result...

[mollet09]

richie sambora signature!

[masterofscotland]

I've been playing for a few years now and I'd consider myself an intermediate player. I learned by holding plectrum with my thumb, middle and pinky finger. I've recently change my grip to the standard method as described in this video, but find my pinky seems to be positioned fully straight when playing. Is this normal and if not how would you suggest I fix it?

[perrymyincle]

I use both pick and no pick.

[distortionCAST]

Its wrong to hold the pick like that because is impossible to see her when we play.

[RocknRoll7425]

Hello, really helpfull video there. I tend to play alot of metal and i have my guitar pretty low down while standing its not ridicoulosly low but still low. Do i still hold the pick the same way as when i am sitting?? And is the tip of the pick meant to point a little to the bridge?

[mopbrothers]

Thank you. That was helpful.

[XMissAmericanIdiotX]

Wait did you say medium to thick for beginners? I went to guitar center last week and I wanted the .88 greens and the guy that worked there told me beginners should use thinner ones, and he gave me .60 oranges.

[kingnick710]

quick question. I notice that when i play i tend to hold the pick with almost the print of my 1st finger instead of the side of my 1st finger.

maybe ive just gotten used to it over the past few months but i play mostly thrash songs (lots of palm muting, speed strumming, etc) and it doesnt seem to bother me. i also noticed that it tends to make my wrist bend down just a tad as oposed to when i hold like you showed.

is this bad and should i change it or is it just a matter of personal comfort?

[88stockmj]

@JawrL95 Only hold it parallel if you want a very clean note for those really fast 16th notes don't worry. You won't be able to play as fast if you don't angle it.