How’s Your Pick Grip?

[bigG]

I really don't think much about it. After so many years, my grip just comes naturally. Pretty much standard between thumb and forefinger, w maybe 1/4" to 3/8" pokin out. Tend to hold it somewhat loosely except when playing lead, I hold it a bit tighter. That's it. I haven't thought about it in years.

[FrankenFretter***]

(Bump)

In my first incarnation as a player, I held my pick in the normal manner, between thumb and index finger. In my more recent incarnation, I can't seem to get comfortable holding it that way, but hold it between my middle finger and thumb. I think it somewhat hinders me, but whenever I try to do it "correctly", it just doesn't feel right. I use mostly medium picks, and occasionally a steel pick for when I'm feeling brutally metal.

Any comments/suggestions? It seems that I hit the strings unintentionally with my pinkie more often than I used to when I held the pick in the more accepted position.

[Tig***]

Pebber Brown covers pick holding and picking technique in the first half of this video.

[sumitomo]

Boy I missed this thread,I have always hit a wall in this area because I am a lefty plays righty,so I tend to hold the pick tighter and I really have to practice the loose wrist,it's really hard for me sometimes to strum some patterns,I feel like Steve Martian in the Jerk.Now I play with the larger ends of the picks or use a real thick pick and have to force myself to strum instead of just playing single note runs and such.Sumi

[otaypanky***]

I vary the way I hold the pick in order to change the dynamics of the notes I am playing. By holding it very, very gently I can play a very soft passage, then gripping firmly I can dig in and get a driven sound, all without changing any volume controls or by using pedals. Some of that is due to the amount of attack you use on the strings, but simply the pressure you apply in gripping the pick can make for a huge difference. --- just my 2 cents

[kiteman]

I do pretty much what otaypanky said about various gipping for light touch or heavy digging. I pick rather lightly and I use .048 nylon pick. My problem is I tend to relax too much and lose my grip where the pick moved.

[lespaulgb]

My grip changes depending on what I'm playing and the dynamics I want; lighter for strumming and quieter blues, tighter for rock and P.H.'s and when I want to give some attittude to what I'm playing.

I find the lighter grip means I'm adjusting the pick more too. I currently use Jazz III's as I seem to grip it better and have less adjustments, plus they glide well.

[rugbynyc]

Several years ago I started using the "fat" side of the pick instead of the "pointy" side. I use one of the corners of the pick on the fat end, and I find that it gives you a much better tone. It tends to make the tone less trebly sounding and a little darker. For strumming though, I usually rotate the pick around and use the pointy end.

-- Jim

You're in good company...I've read that Stevie Ray Vaughan held his picks this way.

[Zip]

"...hold it between my middle finger and thumb." "Any comments/suggestions?"

Learn to tap. You're already holding the pick correctly

[mainestratman]

Here's how I do it:

[pes_laul]

When I started I held it in a normal manner but after I learned how to do artificial harmonics I started holding the pick more sideways with my thumb sticking out a wee bit. I also have a very loose grip.