How do you (how should I) hold your pick?

[rakh1]

Hey all,

For years I have played with the pick held (sometimes fairly loosely) betwen the the ball of my thumb and the side of the ball of my first finger - almost as one might hold a pen. This worked fine but I find it very difficult to keep accurate timing as I start fast picking. I recently noticed that most people tend to hold their pick between the ball of the thumb and the true side of their first finger with the finger joint tucked underneath - as here:
http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/les...ategory=Lesson

So - is there a correct way or is it 'whatever feels good'?

Your advice keenly sought...

Rich

[Emthrax]

Re: How do you (how should I) hold your pick?


Hey Rich,
Hmmm.... good question. I think this may be one of those "whatever works good for you" kind of things.

I hold mine between my thumb and the side of the tip of my middle finger, with my index finger resting behind the pick on a corner. Does that make sense? I can take a picture. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Its similar to the picture you posted, but I just use the middle finger instead.
I keep a fairly firm grip (ha ha, I said grip) and let my wrist do all the work. But I don't like my wrist curved in so much because it hampers my own movement. Just my personal opinion. I believe my teacher thought I held the pick strangely. [img]/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Ah well.

Em

[buzzsaww]

Re: How do you (how should I) hold your pick?

that pic looks wack. i suppose that would be good for folk music but i don't see how that would be condusive to any kind of speed. whatever works for you though, marty friedman hold his pick really wacky.
i hold mine somewhat like this http://www.daddydoodle.com/holdpick.html although the pick is more centered under my thumbnail and barely any tip would be showing. i keep a relaxed grip now just enough to keep the pick from moving about. i used to crush the **** out of the pick to the point where they would bend(dunlop 1.14mm) LOL i'd pick em up and feel that i was holding wrong hehehe

[buzzsaww]

Re: How do you (how should I) hold your pick?

just found this, the illustration on this page is the technique i use to actually sound the strings.

http://69.5.7.106/board/showthread.p...threadid=48667

[ApeDosMil]

Re: How do you (how should I) hold your pick?

do it evh style ! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[jazzman]

Re: How do you (how should I) hold your pick?

I hold my pick pretty much like the way you explained you do. Just don't let too much of the tip exposed. Mabey about 1/8th of an inch. I don't hold the pick too tight either. I teach guitar and speed is my thing. I grew up on Yngwie and Paul Gilbert. Check out a Paul Gilbert instructional video. You will learn a lot & he is pretty funny. You don't even have to play an instument to enjoy his videos.

[rakh1]

Re: How do you (how should I) hold your pick?

OK - thanks guys - nice to know that I am not doing anything obviously wrong!

R