Playing with a pick - Page 2

Splbooth · April 15th, 2008

I can finally play a few songs well, but I cant use a pick =(

I never use a pick, but for some songs they just dont sound right unless you use it... and everytime I try to use it I keep strumming wrong, or I hit a string i'm not meant to (frequently), and it just sounds terrible.

Has anyone got any practises for getting to grips with strumming with a pick? Merci!

Father Goose · #16 April 23rd, 2008

I suppose thats why its called a 'pick' cos you keep dropping or losing it! I call them 'plectrum'.

+1 on the practice

kaneashiru1 · #17 April 26th, 2008

Be one with the pick, make the pick an extension of your soul... ^_^

First day I got a pick I didn't let go, I kept fingering it in my pocket, or just holding it and making it make snapping noises by strumming on my other thumbs fingernail... Basically I just kept doing that for a couple of days... I also spend a lot of time with a headphone on so I'd pretend to be the one strumming the guitar while holding the pick... It's become a habit lately, when I'm bored and my guitar is not around for me to practice pull-on's and pull-off or just slide and finger the fret board while watchin tv or whatever, I play with th pick... Eventually you'll get so used to holding it... I use a .45 pick btw, it's the soft plastic kind.. ^_^ I Guess being an audiophile is how I started to think about taking up playing the guitar.. I hope this helps...

7stringshredking · #18 July 4th, 2008

It depends what style youu are gonna be playing but Alternate picking is one of the most important techs to have upnder your belt. Also i found that heavy picks are better and a slight angle will lesson resistance on the strings.

cush66 · #19 July 5th, 2008

I cant offer any suggestions other than practice however on the pick itself, I use a Jim Dunlop .46mm Nylon. The key here is Nylon. I only play rythym and on electrics only and I am still using the same pick since Feb. Very flexible and hasnt broken yet.

solidwalnut · #20 July 7th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cush66

I cant offer any suggestions other than practice however on the pick itself, I use a Jim Dunlop .46mm Nylon. The key here is Nylon. I only play rythym and on electrics only and I am still using the same pick since Feb. Very flexible and hasnt broken yet.

I hear ya there. I use JD .60mm Tortex. Have for years. I've actually kept and used one for 10 years. It's a sickeness, I know, sad. It's just that they can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. And the thing is that you can really wear a nice bevelled edge on the picks for smooth action. But anymore I'll use one for several months and then just grab a new one.

Steve

cush66 · #21 July 8th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by solidwalnut

I hear ya there. I use JD .60mm Tortex. Have for years. I've actually kept and used one for 10 years. It's a sickeness, I know, sad. It's just that they can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. And the thing is that you can really wear a nice bevelled edge on the picks for smooth action. But anymore I'll use one for several months and then just grab a new one.

Steve

hahha...kinda feels like you have to change picks huh? Even though the old one is still good. I noticed how the edges gets nice and beveled but I didnt want to confuse the issue so I didnt mention it. I wish they made these picks in the tortise shell design.

solidwalnut · #22 July 11th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cush66

...I wish they made these picks in the tortise shell design.

Yah, you'd figure it's just a matter of color...but NO! They all have to be solid color

tomg123 · #23 July 11th, 2008

I would say always practice with one, even tho i don't practice what i preach. I use a pick maybe 30% of the time and fingers 70%. I also find to not get carried away with a pick, or become obsessed with the motion. Lately i been using shorter and lighter motion, sometimes hitting 3 or 4 strings in a way the sounds the chord better. Its a listen and learn thing