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The flying pick – which is the best?
OK I am sure this has already been asked but let’s reopen this can of worms. My picks are pretty smooth and I do have a job holding onto them when I’m hammering some strumming patterns or even when I’m flat picking. They either rotate around so they’re no longer hitting the strings or worse still, go completely AWOL inside the soundhole. Much as I enjoy rattling my guitar above my head whilst trying to get the pick to bounce out over the bracing (c’mon, we’ve all been there!), I wonder if anyone has some favourite picks to recommend so I can use my practice time a little more wisely.
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35 Replies
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🙋🏻♂️ I’ve been there. So I developed my own Technique for holding the pick which I’ve used since starting to learn and become quite good at it but recently been told it’s not the best practice so I’ve been shown the correct/ different way and trying to unlearn it which is very difficult and now I’ve gone from never dropping a pick to always dropping them I have a whole stash of them In the sound hole. It’s quite hard to change but I’m hoping if I get through the other side I will be better for it. Spinning 😵💫 picks was never a problem before now it’s constant but the tone is definitely better and apparently I’ll have better control once I get it. I’ve read some people glue sandpaper on there picks or you can get textured ones. I’m going to persist in trying to get my technique down hopefully there will be a lightbulb moment in the bit too distant future interested to see other peoples replies
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Haha – looks like perhaps the wrong way was the right way for you? Some interesting comments from this thread and not what I was expecting!
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Thanks @Fletch . Not so many Gorillas in rural Eastern England but Dunlops… might be able to get those. One for my list.
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Hi @Moonhare , I was using Fender (medium & heavy) but constantly fighting with pick rotation. Then I came across D’Andrea PRO PLEC (1.5 mm). It’s a smidge narrower than the Fender, but it has a textured side that I use against my thumb and helps to keep the pick from rotating. So I think the key is to find picks that have a texture on them that you can feel which will help you grip it much better – I know they’re out there – you just have to go find them😎
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That sounds interesting. What I’m going to do is order a few different suggestions and see if I get on with any. I think like strings, it’s going to be a lot of personal preference but at least picks are cheap!
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You have to check out this product called pickersgrip.com
Long story short for $10 you get this little jar with a piece of something similar to glycerin soap inside. You rub it on your pick and it makes your pick just barely tacky and what a world of difference it makes.
I was having the exact same problems you describe until I found this product on a random YouTube video being reviewed by the Tony himself
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Thanks @That_Guy – never heard of that before. But can we trust the reviewer? He looks a bit shady to me. 😄
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I had the same issue and was given a Planet Waves Pick Ryte pick by a nice lady on a Guitar Weekends trip i went on. They’re out on Amazon but look like this:
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This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by PaulL. Reason: I accidentally deleted the image! :/
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Looks pretty cool @PaulL – One for my list to look up.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by
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Okay @Moonhare , since you opened the can I will offer the minority opinion. The flat pick is like a bicycle: when you find balance you are off to the races. No need for anything other than the sensitivity of you thumb and index finger. Slow down, manage your tension, play softly and find the balance…..be the pick. When you find the balance push your volume but do not give in to the darkside of tension. A couple of weeks ago we did a flat pick warm up (Even Crosspick WU17) and then a progression challenge (Squeal Like A Pig, yes a disturbing title), these are the keys to finding balance. Devote a few minutes everyday morning and night and soon you will know the balance of the now grounded and balanced flatpick. No magic pill here, just hours and hours of honest down-home fun. ⛏⛏⛏
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I can’t help feeling I’ve just stepped off a landspeeder into Obi Wan’s abode! Thanks for that perspective @jumpinjeff . As a novice with the pick perhaps I’m trying to shortcut my way to competence. I will see how I get on with these really useful pointers and if all else fails I think I have a tube of superglue at the back of that drawer with all the pin tacks, paper clips and old elastic bands!
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This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by Moonhare.
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I did kinda go there. Apologies, I have been playing with the ascending 5th and descending fourth so the Fourth has been on my mind. May the Fourth be with you as well.
oh man, soooo outta control.😄
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Chuckle. Problem with the super glue is that pick makes it hard to use a fork, especially if both thumb and index are attached.. Good thing I am left handed and play righty. I am told the effect will wear off in a week or two.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by
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“be the pick”…. 😂
I so need to get back on my meds Jeff… 😁
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Just a little pin pick, there’ll be no more Ahhhh ahhh, but you may feel a little sick….
I’ll know your status if the next SWR song is about rainbows and leprechauns. BTW @Fletch , I love you just the way you are.
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I agree with @jumpinjeff and advise you to be patient.
In my first TAC year I suffered horribly from pick rotation, as I started pick playing from scratch after many years as a fingerpicker, but the problem disappeared within the first year.
However, it will probably help to use a triangular pick, which gives a larger gripping surface along the side of the index finger.
It definitely did for me, so here is my favorite pick:I know BlueChips are a bit controversial because of their price tag, but after several years of extensive pick testing and inital full BlueChip denial I have ended up as a complete convert.
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That’s a new one on me. They are pricey but I guess sometimes you get what you pay for.
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One of my favorite picks was smooth, but one of the dogs chewed on it, creating dimples that make it easier to hold onto! Now, I have found Fender picks with enough embossing to give very good traction.
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Now I have two boxers that I’m sure would help out with that! Although I suspect they’d just swallow them whole. perhaps safer to look at the Fenders.
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Fender Mojo picks have become my favs. I used to use Dava picks, but like these better. I like the tone better. They come in different thicknesses, but I prefer the thin.
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Wow – a hybrid pick! I like the look of those. Thanks for the tip @Michelle-PSL
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I’ve had this problem on and off over the years, too. 🙂
Lately I’ve been using a textured pick with a hole in the middle from a place called Bog Street. I think I saw it on a Facebook ad. Pretty easy to grip. They come in different sizes and shapes. I got a sampler pack with one of each of their picks and I settled on this one, with a medium pick and a smooth surface where it hits the string:
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This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by ted_h.
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Wow. Never seen those before. Thanks for sharing that @ted_h . I will have to see if I can find them online.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by
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I don’t know why but my post from last week isn’t here. I use a textured pick from Fred Kelly. They make them in various materials and thicknesses. The textured part really helps with the grip. Here’s what they look like:
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So many to choose from! Thanks for sharing. I’m sure these posts are going to help out other people too.
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I use V-Picks when your fingers warm them up they stick in place, V-picks .com they have many styles I use the Eclipse pick, a little pricey but not horrible, since I changed to these it’s all i use. I used a dremmel to put holes in , makes even better
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I am learning so much from this thread. Thanks for posting @johnny67 . Just out of interest what are the holes for?
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I think it’s for extra grip and feel, maybe it creates a bit of suction? they make another pick with the holes, so I tried it on one and I like how it is so it did it to all that I have.
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I recently switched (within the last year) to Dunlop FLOW picks, the Ultex version. They have some texture to them and it really helps hold on to them. They are also shaped slightly smaller than a standard pick and have a beveled edge which makes your picking action feel smoother than a regular pick.
I also bought the Delrin version and they are way slippery. Would not recommend.
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Sounds interesting. I’ll look those up. I’m going to order several different types and see which I get on with. I understand it can also make a difference to the tone you get.
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I’m in Australia and I have bought a few DAVA picks – they work best for me https://www.davapick.com/picks/grip_tip
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This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by GraceX.
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I have quite few friends in Australia including some guitar players but I’ve never heard of these ones. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I don’t think they are Australian made…but I went to a few instrument shops and the DAVA were the only ones that were different from the ‘standard’ picks
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This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by
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