Tag: Dunlop

3 Simple Steps For Holding A Guitar Pick

When you first start learning guitar dropping the pick into the sound hold can be very irritating.

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.