Picking for the Absolute Beginner

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Picking for the Absolute Beginner

Posted by RLP_JR on May 21, 2021 at 8:16 am

I just started TAC 5 days ago. I have been working with the 30 Days to Play. I have been working on the blues shuffle. When I pick it doesn’t sound like one smooth stroke. It sounds robotic as if I was picking each string individual. I looked at the picking course, but not sure what I am missing. I watch the play video man times to try to see and understand how to strike the strings. Any suggestions?

MarkD66 replied 3 years, 5 months ago 9 Members · 15 Replies
15 Replies

Loraine

Member
May 21, 2021 at 8:22 am

Hi @RLP_JR and welcome to the TAC community. Great question, and you are probably doing it correctly. It just takes practice to get picking to sound smooth. It’s about repetitive motion of up/down and not killing the strings, which we all do in the beginning. The smoothness comes when you have the wrist movement down, the muscle memory of the strokes and of the correct strings, and just plain ol’ practice, practice, practice. You’ll get it – just keep doing what your doing and moving forward. Have some fun with it!
- RLP_JR
  
  Member
  May 21, 2021 at 9:08 am
  Thank you @Loraine. I will keep at it and check in again after I complete the 30 Days to Play.
  - This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by RLP_JR. Reason: Left the @ out before the member's name I was responding to
Alisa

Member
May 21, 2021 at 12:45 pm

That’s totally normal. Whatever you do at the beginning: flatpicking, strumming, fingerpicking, it’s not going to sound like someone who’s been doing it for years. You’ll see what I mean when you get to chords-week 🙂 The best thing to do is not to obsess about it. Just play, and it will get better by itself, through ear-mind-muscle connection. You won’t sound like Tony after 30 days, but you will see (and hear) progress soon enough.
RLP_JR

Member
May 21, 2021 at 8:14 pm

Thank you @Alisa I will keep at it!!
TX_DonH

Member
May 26, 2021 at 5:48 pm

Also, are you using a really thin pick? They tend to be more clicky as they bend and snap back straight.
- RLP_JR
  
  Member
  May 28, 2021 at 10:14 pm
  
  Thank you for the tip @TX_DonH. At first I was using a thin pick, but now using a medium. I am going to keep at it, and enjoy the journey and not stress out about how I sound. Thanks for the support.
Alfred

Member
May 27, 2021 at 1:00 am

You already have your answers but..

Welcome to TAC have a great time learning!
- RLP_JR
  
  Member
  May 28, 2021 at 10:16 pm
  
  @Alfred LOL, thanks for the the welcome. I am glad I joined and look forward to being an active part of the community.
Crabby

Member
May 29, 2021 at 12:50 am

@RLP_JR welcome to TAC.
- RLP_JR
  
  Member
  July 4, 2021 at 5:07 pm
  
  @crabby Thanks for the welcome, glad to be here.
Marty73

Member
May 29, 2021 at 6:02 am

Welcome to TAC @RLP_JR
🧐🧙‍♂️😎
- RLP_JR
  
  Member
  July 4, 2021 at 5:08 pm
  
  Thanks for the welcome!!
Bagsta69

Member
May 30, 2021 at 6:55 pm

I find if you are starting out and strumming a thin pick is great for starting out and then moving up to a medium, If just picking then a medium to hard pick works much better in my experience. Try a few different thicknesses and see what works for you.
- RLP_JR
  
  Member
  July 4, 2021 at 5:09 pm
  
  Thanks for the tip, looking forward to experimenting as I go forward.
MarkD66

Member
July 4, 2021 at 5:47 pm

Welcome to TAC @RLP_JR Enjoy your journey!

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