How to Hold a Guitar Pick Correctly – A Guide by Zager Guitars
How to Hold a Guitar Pick Correctly – A Guide by Zager Guitars
Meta description: In this blog, learn more about the different types of guitar picks, how to hold a guitar pick, how to play the guitar using a pick correctly, and more. (150 characters)
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Given that you can play a guitar with just your bare fingers, you might be wondering why using a guitar pick is essential.
A guitar pick is, in fact, a crucial component of a guitar for a number of reasons. The use of this fantastic tool not only facilitates playing the guitar more easily but also increases your level of control over your instrument. So, if you’re new to the guitar world, this is the ideal place to learn about the importance of a guitar pick.
Types of Guitar Picks:
The sound produced by guitar picks varies depending on the type. The three most popular types of guitar picks are:
- Flat Picks:
They are usually triangular in shape and have edges that are either rounded or pointed, making them the most basic guitar picks. Since they work well for both amateurs and professionals, most people prefer flat picks.
- Thumb Picks:
These types of picks are worn on the thumbs and produce a cleaner sound when playing chords. - Finger Picks:
These come in various sizes and are fastened around the tips of the fingers. Typically, many bluegrass players and banjo players use finger picks.
Material of Guitar Picks:
The material of a guitar pick determines the quality of tone a guitar produces. This is because different pick material causes guitar strings to vibrate differently. Other than that, guitarists should consider what material feels comfortable in their hands.
Nylon, celluloid, and Delrin are the most popular plastics used to make guitar picks. Other than these, guitar picks can also be found made of metal, stone, and wood. As you can tell, guitar picks are available in a wide range of materials.
However, the choice of the pick really depends on you and your personal preference, for example, what kind of sound you want and what style you are playing. The best way to find the right pick is by trying various picks of different materials and thicknesses to find the one that suits your style.
Let’s explore the most well-liked ones.
- Nylon Guitar Picks:
Many guitarists favor nylon guitar picks because they feel soft and comfortable to hold. Nylon guitar pick is less likely to break due to their flexibility, which makes it easier to confidently strum a guitar. They produce sharp, clear, and dark sounds since they are relatively lighter-weight picks.
- Celluloid Guitar Picks:
Although celluloid picks are more flexible than nylon picks, they are also quite stiff and, consequently, more brittle. These were introduced as a substitute for tortoise shell picks. Celluloid guitar pick provides a natural feel and is known for producing bright, warm tones.
- Delrin Guitar Picks:
The stiffest and toughest picks are those made of Delrin. Delrin guitar pick features a smooth surface that allows guitarists to easily slide the pick over the strings while maintaining a firm grip on it. This guitar pick produces sharp, accurate, and quiet sounds.
Thickness of Guitar Picks
The sound produced by strumming a guitar’s strings is influenced by the pick thickness.
- Thicker Picks:
A thick pick produces darker, deeper, and mellow tones. Due to their stiffness, they have a superior grip and generate a louder sound. Usually, guitarists who play fast alternate picking use these.
- Thinner Picks:
Thinner picks are flexible and produce quieter and brighter tones. Thin picks work well for acoustic guitar players and beginner guitarists. For strumming and playing various guitar rhythms, a thinner pick is ideal.
How to Hold a Guitar Pick Properly
To play guitar, one must first understand a few fundamental concepts, such as which hand is the dominant hand and the proper way to hold a guitar pick. Other than that, one should know different pick-holding techniques.
- Right-handed:
If you’re right-handed, keep the pick in your right hand and use your left hand to fret.
- Left-handed:
If you’re a leftie, make sure to hold the pick in your left hand while fretting with your right hand.
The most common position to hold a guitar pick is between your thumb and index finger, with the other fingers curled inward. It is also called the pinch method. This does not imply that this is the only correct way to hold a guitar pick. Some people find it more convenient to hold picks between their thumb and middle finger.
The pick sticking out from between the fingers plucks the strings of a guitar.
It all comes down to whatever method feels more natural and comfortable to you. However, in order to avoid applying too much pressure to the strings, one should hold a guitar pick with a soft grip rather than a tight grip. This would prevent your pick from breaking in addition to safeguarding the strings from damage.
Nevertheless, you should also watch out for a loose grip on the guitar pick, as this can make it slip out of your hand when you’re strumming.
Picking Techniques
Guitar picking techniques are various ways in which guitar players use their picking hand to strike the strings of the guitar in a proper way. Proper picking techniques can initially seem a little strange, but there are several picking techniques that will make it easier for you to play the guitar. The picking techniques obviously vary with your playing style, the speed and the intensity of the music, and so on.
A proper technique has a big impact on control and speed. So, find out which pick technique is the most suitable for you. Let’s go through the most famous ones.
- Alternate Picking:
Alternate picking is the most famous guitar-playing technique. It entails a constant upstroke and downstroke action of the picking hand.
Guitarists that use alternate picking are required to constantly switch the pick direction after each note is played. Therefore, if you used an upstroke for one note, you would need to employ a downstroke on the following note.
In alternate picking, if the picking speed of your strumming hand is fast on a single string or a course, it is referred to as “tremolo picking” or “double picking”.
- Downpicking:
Downpicking is another really common picking technique that mainly requires downstrokes. Contrary to alternate picking, repetitive motions of your dominant hand moving in the same direction across the strings result in decreased picking speed. The downstroke produces clean tones. This picking style is typically used for rock and metal instrumental styles.
- Sweep Picking:
Sweep picking is another proper pick technique that involves sweeping the picking hand in a down-and-up motion. In this technique, each note is played, then muted afterward so that individual notes can be heard clearly.
In order to achieve the desired sound with sweep picking, both the picking hand and the fretting hand must be used. The picking hand glides over consecutive strings while the fretting hand produces a specific set of swift and fluent notes. As compared to alternate pick, sweep picking can go at a higher speed.
Playing Guitar Using a Pick
When it comes to playing the guitar, there are several factors that most people do not take into account. Like, a lot of people don’t realize how important good posture is for guitarists, especially if they have to play faster or for extended periods of time.
Additionally, it’s important to know how to hold a guitar pick and how to position a guitar correctly. Although they may seem insignificant, these tips play a key role in playing the guitar precisely and effectively.
Steps for Playing the Guitar Using a Pick
- Pinch the guitar pick between your index finger and thumb and maintain a relaxed grip on it.
- Hold your picking hand over the sound hole without letting it touch the guitar.
- Now slide the guitar pick from the thickest strings to the thinnest strings to strum the guitar without moving your arm.
- Make sure to only move your wrist in a half-rotating motion while keeping it straight.
- You can use either the top string down or the bottom string up to strum a chord. Maintaining the chord formed, alternate between up and down strums to become acquainted with them.
Moreover, knowing the names and tones of the various guitar strings is crucial if you want to become a better guitarist. You should be familiar with the functions of chords, single notes, and tuners as well.
To master your guitar playing, you can also take guitar lessons from Zager’s guitar lesson library, which will really help you with your skills. In addition to that, you can also download a lead guitar cheat sheet to help you learn different melodies.
What Makes Zager Pick Unique?
Zager carbon guitar picks with the thumb hole pivot point are pretty unique. The Zager picks have a patented flex tip design that rolls over string very smoothly eliminating the string breakage or the tuning issues. The thumb pivot point allows comfortable grip making long music sessions way easier. Not only that the holes for thumb, pointer and middle fingers also allows for multiple finger positions that feel natural in your hand.
Zager gives a life-time warranty for picks and 100% money back guarantee. If you break it we replace it for free. You can buy a pack of 5 picks for just 19$.
About Zager Guitars
If you buy any guitar from Zager, it comes with an accessory pack that includes all the essential accessories one needs when buying a guitar.
The Zegars accessory pack includes:
- Free Zager pro-ABS digital humidified case $199
- Free lifetime membership to Mr. Zager’s Guitar Lesson Library $295
- Free years worth of Zager custom EZ-Play pillow touch strings $89
- Free years worth of Zager carbon guitar picks $39
- Free Zager leather padded strap $48
- Free Zager pro stainless capo $39
- Free expedited shipping $79
Zegar has the best guitars in the market, as they are super easy to play because they are made with a custom bracing system as well as custom string spacing. The bracing gives in the face slightly, so you barely have to press form chords, and the custom spacing makes it easier to play the guitar as there are no accidental buzzing and rattles.
FAQs
- What Angle Should You Hold A Pick?
A guitar pick should be held so that only the very tip protrudes from between the index finger and thumb, pointing its edge outward in the direction of the index finger. You can also hold the pick between the middle finger and thumb in a similar way.
The ideal position for your guitar pick in relation to the strings is at a neutral angle of roughly 45 degrees to your instrument’s headstock. The guitar’s protruding tip should gently glide over the strings when you play.
- When Should l You Use A Pick?
Regardless of whether they are playing an electric or an acoustic guitar, everybody who plays a steel-string guitar should begin by using a pick. Picks provide the guitarist more agility than using just their fingertips to strike the notes, which is useful for playing lead guitar and melodic parts.
- How To Hold A Guitar Pick So It Doesn’t Slip?
Holding a pick correctly is really important as it is important to prevent it from slipping. The best tips are to:
- Grip the pick firmly.
- Angle the pick slightly downward.
- Keep your hand relaxed.
With Zager picks, the slipping problem goes away because they come with thumb pivot hole points, so it allows you to grip it properly and decreases the chances of pick slipping.
- Is Using A Pick To Play the Guitar Better Than Finger-Picking?
A pick’s brighter and more consistent tone is due to the fact that it is constructed of the same material all the way through, unlike your fingers, which produce a range of sounds when you pluck the strings.
