The Basics?

[Jack71]

I recently picked up a copy of The Complete Guitarist at my local bookstore. It has been a tremendous help in improving some areas of my technique. Most notably, my hand and thumb positioning on the neck. It didn't, however, address the other hand.

Sometimes I find myself unconsiously switching the position of the pick in my fingers while I'm playing. I also don't feel like I'm as accurate as I should be.

I know this may sound simple and stupid, but are there any resources that talk about the best way to hold the pick and where to position the picking hand? Also, how much of the pick should hit the string? It seems that most fast players use a thicker pick. But I find that with a thicker pick, my pick seems to get "stuck" on the strings when trying to play fast. Is picking all in the wrist?

I just feel like maybe I need to start from the ground up with regards to my picking, because it seems like my playing fingers are starting to progress faster than my picking can keep up.

[Izegrim]

You pick should almost be perpendicular to the strings and play only with the very tip of the pick. If you find yourself having trouble with that you can force yourself playing with the tip by playing with smaller plectra like the JD Stubby or Jazz III. Everything else depends on your own personal style. What really helps are exercises that are focused on right hand technique so you can control your pick position at the same time. Speed Mechanics For Lead
Guitar from Troy Stetina is an excellent book for that.

[dvara]

A few years back, I picked up some Dunlop Jazz picks, which seemed to make a pretty good difference in regards to my pick hanging up on strings. For practice, I drilled alot of chromatic scales slowly with alt picking, and also I practiced picking every other string doing scales.. jump around a bit..

You dont have to use a really heavy pick if your not comfortable with it either. I know some pretty fast pickers that sound very defined and they use some of the thinner picks.

For myself I like a heavier pick, but it has to have just a hair of snap to it.

And like Izegrin says, focus on just using the tip. I pretty much bury the pick in my hand for this.

[shredmonster]

I have mentioned that book more than once on this forum. I have seen a lot of guitar books and that one by far is the best written resource I have ever seen in terms of what is included and how it is organized.

RE: Picking: Yeah most players use a thicker pick and I think the smaller ones are more accurate. There is a whole huge thread on it here. Personally I use a Red Jazz III. I hold the pick at about a 30 degree angle to the strings but I very it depending upon what I am doing.

If I do fast runs I put the pick at more of an angle so it slides over the strings with less drag. If I am plucking hard to create overtones & harmonics I might leave it at the 30 degree angle or put it even flatter to grab the string and pick it hard to get a squeal or harmonic.

Picking is very personal. There is no right or wrong way. You have to find what works for you. The fastest way to get good at it is to do lots of exercises that make you pick a lot which is what I did.

It takes time to figure out for yourself how you can best hold it with your fingers to keep it from slipping.

[drockilles]

All good advice given here. Another thing to remember is small precise movements when picking. The main problem I've seen when trying to teach some guys is that they pick too hard and get carried away, which will slow you down. Make sure you stock up on picks too. One thing that is overlooked a lot is to make sure your pick isn't worn. If you're picking with a pointy pick like a Jazz III, or any pick for that matter, and using just a small portion of the tip, only a little bit of wear to the pick will affect your playing. Or, you could always go get a power drill...........

[rjohnstone]

RE: Picking: Yeah most players use a thicker pick and I think the smaller ones are more accurate. There is a whole huge thread on it here. Personally I use a Red Jazz III. I hold the pick at about a 30 degree angle to the strings but I very it depending upon what I am doing.

Black Jazz III here... great picks

Picking is very personal. There is no right or wrong way. You have to find what works for you. The fastest way to get good at it is to do lots of exercises that make you pick a lot which is what I did.

It takes time to figure out for yourself how you can best hold it with your fingers to keep it from slipping.

+1
Picking is all about feel. I tried many picks and positions and after a lot of experimenting, I found the right combination that works for me.

[6_string_master]

You pick should almost be perpendicular to the strings and play only with the very tip of the pick. If you find yourself having trouble with that you can force yourself playing with the tip by playing with smaller plectra like the JD Stubby or Jazz III. Everything else depends on your own personal style. What really helps are exercises that are focused on right hand technique so you can control your pick position at the same time. Speed Mechanics For Lead
Guitar from Troy Stetina is an excellent book for that.

+1 on advice here. Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar is one of the best instructional books IMO. I find that I like to use .73 dunlop tortex picks or Fender Mediums. I find that heavy picks usually deaden my sound unless they are pointy.

[King Kabong]

+1 on advice here. Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar is one of the best instructional books IMO. I find that I like to use .73 dunlop tortex picks or Fender Mediums. I find that heavy picks usually deaden my sound unless they are pointy.

I LOVE Speed Mechanics, I can't recommend this book enough. Troy presents some really useful stuff in a way that's really easy for me to understand. It's awesome. Definitely pick this book up.

[Jack71]

I LOVE Speed Mechanics, I can't recommend this book enough. Troy presents some really useful stuff in a way that's really easy for me to understand. It's awesome. Definitely pick this book up.

Picked up a copy yesterday. Yes, this book is great (so far). The exercises are very useful and the explanations are well written.

[6_string_master]

If you want to improve sight reading on the guitar this is also a good book:

Music Reading for Guitar.

[Chameleonfong]

[QUOTE=Jack71]
I know this may sound simple and stupid, but are there any resources that talk about the best way to hold the pick and where to position the picking hand? Also, how much of the pick should hit the string? It seems that most fast players use a thicker pick. But I find that with a thicker pick, my pick seems to get "stuck" on the strings when trying to play fast. Is picking all in the wrist?

QUOTE]

Pretty much all the "technique" related dvds or books emphasis on minimizing your picking motions. And try not to rely on finger movements (those that are holding the pick) when do alternate picking. If you are looking for some visual reference, try getting some instructional videos of those 80s "shredders" and see how they do alternate picking. If you do a search, you should be able to find a list of video with good close up shot of the picking hand.

My two cents