It’s not uncommon to be strumming along, just getting into a grove and then slowly feel the guitar pick slipping from your fingers. The next thing you know the pick slips and falls into the one place you don’t want it to go – the sound hole.

Even if you’re lucky enough to miss the sound hole it can still be an ordeal trying to find your guitar pick on the floor because they seem to magically blend in so well with everything.

This can be an infuriating problem especially when you start to get the hang of the more difficult stuff like changing between guitar chords and guitar strumming patterns.

Do you want to know how to avoid all this hassle and learn to hold the guitar pick correctly?

Listed below are 3 steps that will help you hold the pick in the correct way.

Choose The Correct Pick For The Level You Are At

When you first start learning guitar it’s important to keep your pick choices straight forward and simple. I’d recommend starting of using a Dunlop 0.6mm nylon pick of medium thickness.

They are great for strumming and they are easy to grip and they give a good sound. Once you master the basics you can start start expanding the range of picks you use.

Remember that very thin picks can be flimsy and are not a good option for a beginner. Very thick guitar picks are an acquired taste and are best avoided until you have mastered the fundamentals.

Learn To Hold The Pick With Just 2 Fingers

Even great guitarists can be seen holding the pick with 3 fingers but it’s definitely a disadvantage. When you use only two fingers to hold your pick the ‘spare’ fingers are there when you need them for more advanced techniques like pinch harmonics and tapping. It’s always great to have them ready.

Hold The Pick Between The Edge of Your Thumb and First Finger

A common reason for dropping the pick is holding it between your finger tips. The guitar pick should be held between the edge of your thumb and the edge of your first finger. When you hold the pick between your finger tips you are asking for trouble.

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With all those technical quarter notes and treble clefs, who really has time to learn guitar chords and riffs without spending days, weeks or even months taking private music lessons? Music notation is intimidating, but there is a simple solution to the problem – guitar tablature.

Known as tab to professional musicians, it is almost like a diagram that shows guitarists exactly where to place their fingers. Tab presents amateurs and professionals alike with an easy way to learn new guitar chords or even a complete song. Let’s break down the basics.

Where to begin with guitar tabs

Think of it this way – if you can read a map, then you can also learn guitar chords from tab. Tab consists of six horizontal lines, representing the strings of the guitar (similar to a guitar chord chart, only sideways). The low E string is represented by the bottom line, and the other strings follow in succession the highest E.

Players simply follow symbols on the lines indicating what string should be pushed, and in what location (fret). For example, if the number one appears on the top line, it indicates that a finger should be placed on the highest guitar string, in the first fret.

When multiple numbers appear simultaneously, it indicates that certain strings should be pushed at the same time, in the fret indicated by the numbers provided.

Taking guitar tabs to the next musical level

Most tab will indicate the chord symbol above the lines and fret numbers, so that more advanced players can read along with what they already know. Advanced tab notation may consist of complex instructions from the author.

For example, sometimes a guitarist will slap their finger down forcefully on top of a string, creating a different sound. This technique, known as a hammer-on, is often indicated by appearance of the letter h in tab.

Unfortunately, tab does not have a set of standardized rules, and there are many variations. There is also little direction for rhythm and timing, but it will work well for musicians who have a good ear, and a preexisting idea about how something is supposed to sound before they play it.

It is best to start by picking out a well known, simple folk melody that is easily identifiable, and then move on to more complex patterns including chords and riffs.

Guitar tabs for every musician

Tab is not only an excellent way to learn new guitar chords; it is also used to notate scales, riffs, or entire songs. Guitarists who wish to try their hand with classical pieces, but do not read standard notation can experience the joy of tackling and mastering challenging pieces.

Many publishers create albums of classical pieces which include standard notation, chords, and tab. Every genre is available in tab on the Internet or for purchase in a music store.

One of the greatest aspects of tab is that once you learn how to read it, the notation can be applied to many stringed instruments like the mandolin or bass. The possibilities for a blossoming musician are endless with this simple system.

From chord charts to power ballads and sonatas, tab will expand your repertoire to include an unlimited number of pieces.

Learn more about easy Guitar Chords.

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Learning guitar barre chords is a difficult enough experience without putting extra pressure on yourself. Try to keep in mind that when you are playing you only need to lift your fingers just enough to change between chords. Also, when you’re holding down the barre, remember that you don’t have to barre every single string.

2. Don’t Use The Soft Part Of Your Finger

When you are making a barre try to hold it with the side of your finger and not the soft fleshy part. The easiest way to do this is to roll your finger slightly away from the fret. When you roll your finger it guarantees that you won’t be holding the barre with the fleshy bit – increasing your chances of sounding the chord cleanly.

3. Give Your Fingers a Workout

The easiest way to build your finger strength to exercise them regularly. This might seem strange at first but working out your fingers regularly will do wonders for your guitar playing. Check out the “Gripmaster” or grab a tennis ball and squeeze it for a few minutes everyday.

4. Buy a Good Guitar For Yourself

Bad guitars have bad action. Action is the measure of the distance from the fretboard to the strings and is usually measured at the 12th fret. A guitar with poor action will leave you struggling to play any chords correctly, but barre chords especially. There is nothing more frustrating than a poor piece of equipment holding you back.

5. Learn Guitar Using Lighter Gauge Strings

The reason acoustic guitarists find it so easy to pick up and play an electric is that the electric has a far lighter string gauge. When you are learning guitar the lighter strings make playing chords a lot easier. Once your finger strength has improved and you are more experienced choose the type of strings for the sound you want.

6. Try Learning Barre Chords Higher Up The Neck

The first barre chord that you learn as a new guitarist is the F major chord, followed by the B major chord. Sometimes this can a mistake. Both of these chords are near the head of the guitar where the fret spacing is much larger. If you’re struggling with barre chords, try practicing the shapes further up the neck towards the 5th and 7th frets.

7. Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself

When you do any exercise an important part of your routine is regular rests for recovery. The same goes for playing guitar. Try to take breaks and never play if your hands are sore or cramping.