Certain way to hold the pick?

DMB_FAN · Post by **DMB_FAN** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 11:51 pm

I havent been playing too long, but Im wondering if im holding the pick incorrectly. I hold it with three fingers, my thumb, pointer, and middle. That's just the way it feels comfortable to me, but im wondering if its hindering me at all.....

What say you?

filmdude100cms · Post by **filmdude100cms** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 11:59 pm

its all comfort...

Davy28 · Post by **Davy28** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:10 am

I always loosen my grip if I am strumming really fast.

DMB_FAN · Post by **DMB_FAN** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:14 am

Davy28 wrote:I always loosen my grip if I am strumming really fast.

I do that as well, but I was just wondering if the way you hold the pick makes a difference...

ledzepp4l · Post by **ledzepp4l** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:27 am

I have tried to hold a pick with my Thumb, Index, and Middle; but i can't do it, unless it's just strumming. I use just my thumb/index and use the rest to feel where i am on the strings (if that makes any sense).

DMB_FAN · Post by **DMB_FAN** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:29 am

ledzepp4l wrote:I have tried to hold a pick with my Thumb, Index, and Middle; but i can't do it, unless it's just strumming. I use just my thumb/index and use the rest to feel where i am on the strings (if that makes any sense).

Ya, that makes sense..... I just practice hitting individual strings all the time, so I get used to the location.... (if that makes sense...lol)

Willin · Post by **Willin** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:07 am

Well, it really depends on your style of playing, to an extent. It is generally accepted that holding the pick with only the thumb and pointer finger is the most efficient way to pick. This style enables you to play pinch harmonics more readily, as well as leaving an extra finger (your middle finger) available to be used for hybrid, or "travis" picking and tapping techniques, among other things. I would say, for the sake of future expansion and immersion in guitar technique, it would be wise to start learning how to hold the pick with only two fingers.

I'm sure some people will disagree with me, but I really feel that it's the best way to go. The majority of beginner guitar players like to hold the pick with three fingers because it makes the pick more secure in their hand. I know the feeling, because I always used to think the pick was falling out of my hand as well. To counter-act this, I used the three-finger method to hold the pick. Then I started to take guitar lessons and, at the request of my very skillful guitar instructor, I began using only two fingers on the pick. This truly broadened my horizons on the guitar and has allowed me to really expand into using different techniques like travis picking. I can't stress enough how much changing my pick-holding style aided my guitar playing.

You may think, oh, well Dave never uses pinch harmonics or travis picking, so why bother learning it if I am trying to emulate his style? Well, like I said, I think it's a really good idea to change your ways so you can expand your abilities as a guitarist regardless of the style of music you're trying to play. This is just my two cents in trying to help a young guitarist along a path to fulfill his potential. Hope it helps!

DMB_FAN · Post by **DMB_FAN** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:34 am

Willin wrote:Well, it really depends on your style of playing, to an extent. It is generally accepted that holding the pick with only the thumb and pointer finger is the most efficient way to pick. This style enables you to play pinch harmonics more readily, as well as leaving an extra finger (your middle finger) available to be used for hybrid, or "travis" picking and tapping techniques, among other things. I would say, for the sake of future expansion and immersion in guitar technique, it would be wise to start learning how to hold the pick with only two fingers.

I'm sure some people will disagree with me, but I really feel that it's the best way to go. The majority of beginner guitar players like to hold the pick with three fingers because it makes the pick more secure in their hand. I know the feeling, because I always used to think the pick was falling out of my hand as well. To counter-act this, I used the three-finger method to hold the pick. Then I started to take guitar lessons and, at the request of my very skillful guitar instructor, I began using only two fingers on the pick. This truly broadened my horizons on the guitar and has allowed me to really expand into using different techniques like travis picking. I can't stress enough how much changing my pick-holding style aided my guitar playing.

You may think, oh, well Dave never uses pinch harmonics or travis picking, so why bother learning it if I am trying to emulate his style? Well, like I said, I think it's a really good idea to change your ways so you can expand your abilities as a guitarist regardless of the style of music you're trying to play. This is just my two cents in trying to help a young guitarist along a path to fulfill his potential. Hope it helps!

I appreciate the help!!!

Flakes · Post by **Flakes** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:55 pm

I hold mine just like DMB_Fan thats how all my buddies hold it too. So either its the right way, there is no "right way", or im completely wrong

grock · Post by **grock** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 4:22 pm

hold it with thumb and pointer perpendiculiar to you thumb is the best way to provide you with the most options. It is the best technique. that's not to say that others won't work. i tend to have mine at like a 45 degree angle as opposed to perfectly perpendiculiar.

picks get really wide at the top and if you position it right you can get a lot of grip out of just the thumb and index.