Using a Pick

[Loraine]

Hey @crabbyblue11 . Picks just take time to get comfortable with. Depending on your play level, newer players typically start with more flexible picks (.46 – .72). Eventually players do go with a harder pick, because they’ve mastered strumming and or they are picking, and a firmer pick works best for that. My suggestion is to buy several variety packs from different manufacturers and try them out. It’s typically a personal choice. I haven’t mastered a thumb pick or finger picks, so I can’t really contact.

[Skyman911]

@crabbyblue11, when I first started, I struggled with the pick, and actually quit using one due to strumming issues. Single note picking wasn’t really an issue for me, just getting nice clean strums. I started using one again almost a year ago. I’m still not where I want to be, but still persist. Finding the right pick is key in my opinion. @Loraine gave some great advice. Pick up a variety pack and try different materials and different thicknesses. What has really helped me the most, is having very little of the pick end exposed. 1/8th to 1/4 inch of exposed tip is where I try to be. Too much of the pick exposed may lead to a “floppy” sound, and hitting single notes will also be more difficult. I’m currently using a Blue Chip TD35. I have a hard time using other picks now as they just don’t perform as well.

[jumpinjeff]

Hi @crabbyblue11 , Lorraine nails it with the advise about getting a whole bunch picks, different thicknesses, different shapes, different materials. I even made one outta mother of pearl and another out of turtle shell (road kill). After ten years of messing around this is what I found. For strumming when am struggling I use a Dunlop Nylon .60 mm. When I loosen up I like fatter picks 1.5 to 2.0. I feel more in control of dynamics (tone and volume). I really like super hard wood picks 1.5 to 2.0. Snake wood and Amboyna are my favs. When I was learning how to balance a pick the Dunlop prime tones were my ticket. Higher priced but grippy. After learning how to ride a pick (I say that because it was like learning how to ride a bike, find the balance point and you are good to go; until then you keep falling off) I found the best overall was the Blue Chip Pick. These are the premium priced picks. 50.00-ish for the TD 80. They are a lovely feeling pick with nice sound but they are slick. The best cheap overall, if you don’t want to think about it much or spend much is the Dunlop Ultex 2.0. I liked these because they were stiff giving control and there was a rough opaque coating that made them grippy at a time when that was super important for me. Combine that with the Dunlop Nylon .60 and that should get you through everything for under 5.00. It is a fun and relatively inexpensive way to experiment with tone and technique. That is my plug for buying a bunch and messing around. You can do no wrong here. Fun is the goal

[crabbyblue11]

Thank you all for the great advice! I Truly appreciate it! Thank you, Lorraine for kicking it off. You had some great suggestion! Skyman911, I like the suggestion of leaving very little exposed when playing. I’ll give this a try. jumpinjeff, I also have made my on picks from different hardwoods I have lying around.

[TMutter]

I played for years and could never get comfortable with a pick. Then one day I was at Guitar Center and I grabbed a couple of their free branded pics from the little bowl near the cash registers. Next time I was there I got a few more and then bought a pack. I did not play with them. I just had them in all my pockets so when I reached in I pulled one out and just held in my hand. If I was driving I had one in my hand. If I was at a movie or watching TV, I had one in my hand. After about a month it just felt natural and when I started playing my guitar with a pic it just felt like an extension of my finger. Anyway – it was a game changer for me. Good luck !

[crabbyblue11]

Thank you very much for that very interesting approach. I will definitely give it a try!

[Skyman911]

Most excellent advice.