For players who are serious about improving: bit.ly/handmechanics I'm offering an Accelerated Technique Workshop once a month. Fix the mistakes in your playing with daily practice routines, exercises and a complete understanding of how your fingers, hands and muscles work.
My neutral picking position is with a slightly bent thumb. This allows using a very nice technique called circle picking. Think of the main riff in Racer X' Technical Difficulties: 2 notes on the A string, then only one on D and immediately back to A. With a slightly bent thumb and the pick at an upward angle, I can pick the note on D simply by flicking thumb and index finger; after picking that note, the tip of my pick is automatically slightly higher than the guitar strings (due to the intentional upwards angle - you'd have to switch the angle if this riff was backwards), making jumping back to the D string a breeze, all I have to do is bend my thumb again. You can do string escapes with your wrist as well, but it requires more movement, more power and it's especially inconvenient for riffs that require alternating palm muting. You can also achieve crazy high alternate picking speeds with your fingers, and this is less demanding than using your wrist only (I noticed being able to play _way_ longer vs. picking "normally"), or you can use stretching/bending thumb and index finger in addition to your wrist movement to accentuate certain notes.
I wish someone had told me these basic things 55 years ago. I gave up guitar and mandolin playing because I could never guarantee playing accurately. Eventually, my instruments were given away to much better players than me.
I just got a notification from YT about RWBHere's reply and saw that you deleted my comment. Thanks! I guess you simply don't want your channel to grow since you're acting like such a douche towards potential subscribers.
Thank you. You own the corner on this one. I have always had at least 1 guitar since I was 15, almost 60 years ago. First thing I notice at a jam or in a music store is a "players" hands. Especially the fingernails. Yours. Why I watched it all. I keep a pair of nail trimmers with the attached short nail file, at all times. I use Chicken picks 2 - 3 mm, a $20 Billy Gibbons custom modded Peso, a 20 cent Euro coin I found in a pawn shop ( love the ridge around the coin ), and a .7 mm Guitar Center plastic pick I found in a jar on their sales counter ( when I am playing the .008"s set up, not so much rattling ). And then, there's Jeff Beck. RIP.
After over 50 years of playing I recently realized this. The mandolin great Mike Marshall talked about this years ago especially the part about keeping your thumb straight. It took a while to break my bad habits but it has made a difference. I am 71 years old and can tell you that you are never to old to learn new things. This is the best video I have seen on this subject. Thanks for validating me😂
This is AWESOME - I have played my entire life. I can play with feel and can play multiple genres of music (mostly blues and jazz). I was never happy with my picking hand. I have had some of the best guitar teachers as well. I have asked all of them about how to hold the pick better. They would always just dismiss it and say I sounded fine -don't change it. But this short video was what I was looking for. Within minutes I can feel the difference. This unlocks SO many things for me - thank you!
I use a Jim Dunlop .73 mm, it's like the one the Edge uses so I have read. I find if on slow passages or arpeggiating chords if you slightly pull out away from the guitar body when picking a string as you're picking the tone is enhanced.
Thank you. I have played for well over 50 years. I don't remember ever being told about the position of the fingers on the pick, or the relationship of how the muscles of the hand and fingers work most efficiently. Great lesson, Sir!
I've been playing for years but recently decided to really take a look at my playing and correct my technique and after months of adjusting my picking and much frustration I finally discovered that what you're talking about here was my main problem...I was flexing my thumb. It was great to see this video and just reinforce what I've recently discovered. Thanx!
As someone who has spent far too long looking at UA-cam videos on this matter, when I'd rather have been learning songs, I believe this is the best and most in depth picking guide which has been missing and prevented me from understanding. I want to say after 15 years of playing, I've finally fixed this; however, no matter how much I cover the pick to prevent the 360 spin, I can't seem to get it. You are the first person I've seen address the 360 degree spin specifically though which is promising, and I will continue to watch. Thanks for this invaluable video, I hope it eventually clicks, but the spin seems to keep happening
Stick on pick grips were key to letting me hold loosely but securely. I struggled for YEARS and kept returning to finger style. I finally tried Fender Mojotone pick grips - literally instant fix. I just stopped fighting, could trust my hand to hold the pick. I switched to generic stick on pads (much cheaper and pick can't turn in it - mojotones are a slip on pocket thing). Within a week I no longer needed that grips. I had learned to ignore my hand and just hold it. It was all bad habits and getting in my own way.
I have used a Herco Nylon, Flat Flex, HE211 Silver Flex 75 for many decades as my exclusive electric guitar pick. I also use it with acoustics, but sometimes I choose a lighter, thinner pick for stumming.
I have used Jim Dunlop's Jazz III in Ultex for a number of years. Recently, I received a 1.5 mm Gravity acrylic pick as part of the package with a JHS pedal I bought. I was hooked. Since acquiring the first Gravity acrylic pick, I picked up a 5 pack of 1.5mm in assorted colours from Amazon. I have also obtained a Gravity acrylic in 3mm and am totally in love. I used to bust a lot of strings flailing away with the 'paper' picks. Haven't busted a string in years and my articulation is much improved.
Anton Oparin (one of the best, if not the best alternate picker out there tells quite the opposite. Your thumb should not go over the pick but the top of it should be alligned with the edge of the pick. Also just the tip of the pick sticking out with a firm grip in order to NOT have any movement between the pick and the thumb and indexfinger. Also he uses the middle finger for extra support. He uses the blue 1mm Dunlop Jazz Tortex which has just a little bit of flex, which he told me you need.
I gotta tell ya, I've learned so much from this. Just in a few hours, I'm already the best player I've ever been in decades of wasting time. I can't believe it, how much time I've wasted forcing my way through crap just to find out my bad pick holding was "holding" me back so much. Hard to believe.....thank you! Oh, and it feels great too ;)
I'm a classical guitarist and play with my fingers but have been experimenting with playing with a pick . This is the best video I have found on this aspect of pick technique. Thank you .
This is great advice. Yes, there are contrary examples to some of this advice. But if you're still learning or struggling, this is a great way to start. It helped me.
As an intermediate player, this may be one of the best bits of advice I've had in ages. As soon as I tried it I could feel the difference. Thank you! It's helped me bolster my style. Good form, good tone, just winging the notes.
I'm a bassist who has been playing for 50+ years. Your picking videos have helped me. Not afraid to take instruction on playing or admit that I don't know everything. I play a lot of metal and like to be busy on the fretboard. I use a Fender Heavy triangular pick. I find the tip shape and size of the pick overall allows me to change attack positions on the fly with confidence that the pick will remain in my hand throughout. However, occasionally missing strokes and not coordinating perfectly with my fretting hand are still issues that crop-up in my playing even after all these decades. I have watched a lot of picking videos. Many players advise to fortify your index finger against excessive movement by putting the middle finger next to the index finger instead of pulling away the remaining 3 fingers. Do you have an opinion on this? I've always held my pick with the remaining 3 fingers pulled away.
I've always struggled with regular tutorials anywhere weather on UA-cam or in real life people never tell you what the points that matter in your grip are. this is the type of information that people need to be covering, great work honestly love the video. keep it real man
How long did it take you to get comfortable playing the proper way? I’m in the same boat as you. 25+ holding it wrong. I’m trying to switch but still awkward.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've been struggling a lot since knowing I had a bad picking technique, and other youtubers recommended that very thumb bend as the "correct" way but my hand didn't like that at all, I was forcing my thumb to bend and it felt awful. Thanks for getting me out of that hole! You earned a new sub ;)
Thanks for the video. I started learning to play bass when I was 42 to learn my favorite punk songs. My right hand has always been a problem for me and your video helped me understand important but simple things. I can't use picks smaller than 1.5 mm.
Everyone thinks the chord hand is the toughest to teach, it's NOT, holding the pick and finding just the right pick for your style of playing takes some time. Great topic for this video!
Chord hand is easy asf hahahah. I'm a beginner but so far the only difficult part on the chord hand are barre chords. The right hand is the issue here, because that is the less used motion in day to day life.
I sometimes close my fist when speed picking. It helps to keep your fingers from hitting the strings and it can help some with fast picking as you don't have to deal with the weight of your fingers flopping around.
Superb video! I've been playing for over 30 years and found these tips out through trial and error. This video is a huge time saver for many. I also use the Dunlop Jazz 3 at 1.5mm for most lead work, but will also use thinner picks for acoustic chord work. Having played in many cover bands I find the pick can have tonal benefits, in that some times a different pick gets closer to the sound of the original track without me having to vary pressure (with either hand) or dial in the tone.
After some years of playing, I ended up settling for the Dunlop Flow line (1.0 up to 2.0 depending on what I play); they slide easily across the strings, have a clear & bright tone and don't slip out of the hand.
Excellent and helpful video. I've been playing for a while. I thought I had holding the pick down since I know how to avoid most beginner mistakes. But this advice really helped me.
I have been searching for the right way to hold a pick and I have seen a lot. Tips #1and #2 are something new to me. Some may have done them in their instructions but you're the only one who specifically pointed out.
I have been playing for over thirty years and still cannot use a plectrum. On the plus side it got me into playing different finger style picking, great lesson, thanks 👍🏻
Jazz III maxgrip (the red one) is the perfect pick for me. Just a hair of give so that it doesn't feel rigid while still being thick enough for complete accuracy. Thanks for the video!
This is what I have found from years of playing. I do change the way I hold the pick depending on what I am playing. Sometimes just a small amount of the pick is showing and also sometimes depending on what I’m playing I allow the edge of the pick to slide across the strings. Also at times I move the pick around by loosing the grip and allow the pick to move into a new position.
I have been playing for about 40 years now and struggled with my guitar pick for maybe 10 years, back then there was no internet, and we had to figure it out ourselves. I couldn't explain it better myself, this is exactly how it should be done, there are really good players that have a different technique. But I would recommend this technique to everyone.I tried just about every guitar pick and using now Jazz 3 or jazz 3 XL depending on the mood. Great lesson!
Thank you for this video! I just started learning a few days ago and while I saw how to pinch the pick between my finger and thumb, nothing until now mentioned not bending my thumb and making a tight fist. Then you mentioned picking at an angle and everything changed for me already.
This angle shouldn't always be the same, mind you. Look up "pick slanting" and upwards/downwards escape, both extremely important for advanced players.
@@rockapartie Yeah, a friend of mine also said the same thing. I'll definitely look it up, but I am far far away from even being an amateur. Thanks for the info!
This is great information. Thanks. My single string soloing has improved big time. But I have a hard time for playing rhythm guitar holding the pick in this manner. This has been my main problem. Any tips ?
I'm 67 and am what I would call a seasoned beginner. I have been using a Dunlap .50mm pick which is considered light. I used it thinking its flexibility would make it easier to play. Boy, was I wrong after watching this video. I picked up the thickest pick in my collection, a Planet Waves .85mm Medium and have begun using that one. What a difference it made and proved everything you stated. As a way to say thanks take a listen to Colorado Song by The Ozark Mountain Dare Devils. The guitars on it are just wonderful. New subscriber too. Thanks again, Mike in Denver.
55 years playing and holy crap I figured this out by myself and I'm doing it right. Still missing now and then. Pay attention without paying attention. There's always a first time being right. LOL. Surprised in Belize. Thanks for the help.
Thank you, that was helpful. I used to ignore the rotating centre issue and the pick kept rotating between my fingers and the triangle tip hiding like an aircraft wheels after a couple of strokes. Proper covering is the solution.
I'm starting out with both acoustic and electric guitars and I'm doing a ton of strumming, playing chords to my favorite songs. Everything you're saying makes sense, but does the stiff pick "rule" apply to strumming too?
What might be the issue if i hear EAD strings squeak when playing fast? I basically hear pick scratching the strings (EAD) and cannot really or have no idea how to solve this. What might be wrong? Angle? Attack? Pick itself?
I was using .88 Dunlops. They are textured and I was constantly breaking the 1st string. I play a lot of R&B with a lot of stacatto upstrokes. I found out the texture was grabbing the high E string and snapping it. So I switched to the tortoise shell type of roughly the same thickness.
Having never been taught correctly how to grip a pick I struggled with it for years, slippage was a big issue for me. I've been playing way too long to change things up now and I still don't grip the pick correctly. What I did do was to create my own picks and grip pads to go on them, which eliminates slippage. Zenfire picks. My advice to players is to learn to hold the pick correctly from the start. This was a much needed video for many players.
I use a thumb pick & sanded the tip a little thinner, i have trouble feeling a flat pick since i nicked my thumb on the table saw one day, but i made it through & stiill have them all👍
Thanks, very informative, i've been playing about five years now, and it makes sense what you say about tension, i remember learning golf, for the first time, they say tension destroys a golf swing, and I guess the same holds true with picking, but lately i've been trying to use the same pics that Matteo Mancuso, uses, which is five, Lol, thanks again. 👍🙏🇺🇲🎸
Super use full video. I’m not a guitarist, but i’m currently working on making a stone plectrum(made for what i belive is basalt) for my friend and this was the perfect guide for me to descide on the overall shape. Thank you!
No, find out what suits you. What he said about the physical properties of heavy picks is mostly or perhaps entirely true, but different styles of music can call for thinner picks. Absolutist takes like "heavy picks only" won't help, especially when shred-heavy players like Eddie Van Halen preferred thin picks even for shredding. King Buzzo at least sometimes uses a .50, which people wrongly think can *never* work in metal--and he's highly influential. Then, if you're not trying to shred, there's a whole world of thicknesses out there that are more likely to have a tone/feel more suitable for plenty of other genres. Oh, and yes, one of the best things I ever did for my technique is to play more lightly/with a relaxed grip and let volume knobs handle the loudness. PIcks fell out of my hand until I LOOSENED my grip, which he seems to rightly be saying here. Playing hard doesn't do as much to change the tone as I used to think it surely would. It just wears the strings/pick out faster. Not that this guy said otherwise, but I just wanted to add that.
@@rustythoughts when I pre-ordered his “Behold Electric Guitar “CD I got some of his signature picks. I don’t know how he does it… But then again I don’t know how he does 99.98% of what he does so I just strap in and enjoy the ride lol
@@andreasfetzer7559 the issue is he would have less control his dynamics of being able to pick softly vs hard. He uses a boss CE-1 which has a preamp which when it hits its “peak” it breaks up, and when picked softly does not hit that peak and remains a clean tone. A thick pick is great if you want more even dynamics.
I got a Dunlop variety pack with Jazz, Flow etc. as I just wasn't progressing any further with the Tortex picks. I kept hearing about the Jazz III, and while I didn't mind them, I loved the Flow 1.5mm. Bought the Flow variety pack, and even though I think 1.5mm is for me, the 2.5mm and 3mm are great too. Maybe when I get faster I'll migrate to those. Great vid, very good tips, keep up the awesome work!
Great advice.I use a Dunlop Mini Stubby 1.0mm. It is durable and great for getting pinch harmonics with, but is also very accurate and seems to respond to soft playing or digging in. It is a great all rounder.
nice video Max. I am going to try and work on your pick technique because I have been having the slippage problem for some time. I have three acoustic guitars and primarily use a Pickboy ceramic 1.0mm. I have tried many thinner picks of all kinds of material but like the Pickboy best. My guitars are a Martin HD-28, A Taylor 814ce, and a Gibson Hummingbird. The Pickboy works great on all with a deeper tone for all strings.
Hi Max, old guitar teacher here. I'm no longer surprised at how many of my clients need help in choosing and using a pick (plectrum here in the UK!) I really like the way you have given this information. Good common sense well broken down and explained. Well done! Of course there will be individual preferences as personal style develops, but I tend to suggest to my clients that they "try" large triangle 346 style picks -which gives most players 1. easier to hold (your "stay natural). 2. More material - easier to "cover" with straight thumb) 3. Hold a pick-don't grip it (Let it move) 4.Thicker picks (I encourage tm to buy a selection of sizes of Dunlop Tortex large triangles and see which feels best (they usually graduate to the thicker ones - at least 1 m/m ) You've done a great public service to pickers!
I've started using a Dunlop with the most rounded tip, to get a more mellow sound, especially when strumming. That's just my style though, not saying everyone should do it. Also, when soloing, the rounded tip makes pinch harmonics easier since you can get your thumb down closer to the string.
My dad always used one of those big, thin triangle picks. I never could get used to that. I settled on a the style that’s in this video. I use a thicker pick for acoustics, and thinner for electrics.
I've been playing for more than 50 years, but I have never received instruction on how to hold the pick for best performance until now. I've always had trouble with the pick rotating, falling etc. I will try these techniques. Thanks! Liked and subscribed. Edit: I just noticed the commenter immediately below me said something very similar. I guarantee I had not seen that until after I posted. Perhaps this indicates this information is not readily available, even though one has been playing a long time...
Thanks for this! Ive been playing for 6 months and apparently advancing fairly quickly. I have been playing with .73m pics since they seemed to work best as a true beginner. Until now. I just assumed .73 was the right one for me not making the corrolation between progressing in my journey and modifying my tools. I knew when it was time to move from nylon strings to steel and upgrade to a Talyor, but didnt even think of something as fundamental as my pic. After watching this I grabbed a 1mm and wow...i can actually "feel" the difference. I'm learning "Give a little bit" by Supertramp and even just the intro strums are so much crisper with the 1m. I guess I have graduated to the thicker pics. Love it. Thanks for the tips.
I use Cool heavies. They're white, so easy to see. They have a nice texture for finger & thumb and 3 points. When one point wears, which takes quite some time, rotate to a new point. Thanks for the lesson!
I watch a few of your and decided for me to try this I’m not a season player still learning but this help me achieve a faster picking attack keeping the thumb straight helped my tremolo picking on a single string able to move faster , thanks for the valuable tips , I just subscribed I want to learn as much as I can I want be a lead player but also want to learn rhythm and lead I enjoy playing and want to learn it all , I’m disabled legs don’t work anymore played drums and when I couldn’t kick the bass drum and work the Hi-hat , instead of feeling sorry for myself i grabbed a guitar to play the rock-n-roll I’ve grown up with , a year and half later im in a better place . Thanks again for what you do and taking the time out of your day . God Bless yeah bro 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Great overview on a topic that just doesn't get enough respect, but yet is key to good playing. I am an Acoustic guy and favorite pick is Gravity Classic Standard 1.5. I did bite the bullet and buy a Blue Tooth pick just to see for myself and it made a difference in tone that was detectable, but not $35 worth of difference (: So, gravity is fine for me.
I'm doing it mostly right, but what i always have trouble with is holding the pick too close to the tip. So that my fingernail also hits the string. It sounds fine like this but I assume it's not ideal. When i hold the pick further away from tip i have control problems... I never hear of other people having this issue
Hello. Thanks. I know most people curl their forefinger in to be a "ledge" for the pick. I have large hands and long fingers so when curling my finger in that far causes tension. It feels more natural for pick to be on side (sorta maybe between pad and side) of my finger with the finger pointing mostly toward the point of pick. Thumb part I do same as you instruct. Sorry for long post. I guess with long arms and big hands you just gotta figure out what works. So far not having the greatest of luck. Play acoustic mainly. Maybe need a larger body guitar. I have a standard dread now. Large hands and long fingers affect fretting hand too. I cannot put my thumb under the neck (when you need to) in the manner most often taught and end up pointing it toward the headstock a little above fingers since that is only comfortable relaxed position. Directly under the 2nd finger area it's bent really hard and uncomfortable. I have a thin profile neck. Tried thicker/smaller radius and worse. Finally when strumming can't keep my right arm from moving slowly forward as I play until I suddenly realize I'm strumming over the end of fretboard.
I'm currently trying to unlearn 20+ years of holding the pick wrong. I have always struggled with picking. Instead of trying to get better, I just shrugged and said "I guess I'm just a legato guy!" There are so many awesome licks I wish I could play.
Nice lesson, lots of common sense. Plenty to learn here. I like the Dunlop Jazz III XL for electric. For acoustic I’ve just been using a standard medium pick, but I’m going to try something thicker and see how it goes.
For strumming and rhythm, do you use flexer pick or still use thick stiff pick? I found using a thicker or stiff pick gives a harsher sound when strumming . Your comments please
Okay, since my last comment I have noticed a problem and I am hoping you can give some guidance. I have my thumb in the right place but I can’t find a way to place my index without a side effect. If I cover in an angle that my less than long fingers allow, the nail on my index scrapes the strings before the pick and it is noticeable. If I hold it slightly painfully to make to tip point 180° to my thumb, the strain makes my fingers grip tighter.
It's funny! I went from a nylon hard pick to a .53 nylon. When I was flatpick arpeggiating a lot, I used a hard pick. but now it do more strumming so the lighter pick sounds smoother. I've had to learn to adjust my flatpicking to the lighter pick tho.
I use a Blue Chip Jazz 50 when I am playing faster, alternate picking, and a Blue Chip Jazz 60 LG when I am using strumming patterns. Main difference is just the size. It’s just easier for me to have the larger contact surface with down and up strumming vs picking.
For players who are serious about improving: bit.ly/handmechanics
I'm offering an Accelerated Technique Workshop once a month. Fix the mistakes in your playing with daily practice routines, exercises and a complete understanding of how your fingers, hands and muscles work.
My neutral picking position is with a slightly bent thumb. This allows using a very nice technique called circle picking. Think of the main riff in Racer X' Technical Difficulties: 2 notes on the A string, then only one on D and immediately back to A. With a slightly bent thumb and the pick at an upward angle, I can pick the note on D simply by flicking thumb and index finger; after picking that note, the tip of my pick is automatically slightly higher than the guitar strings (due to the intentional upwards angle - you'd have to switch the angle if this riff was backwards), making jumping back to the D string a breeze, all I have to do is bend my thumb again. You can do string escapes with your wrist as well, but it requires more movement, more power and it's especially inconvenient for riffs that require alternating palm muting.
You can also achieve crazy high alternate picking speeds with your fingers, and this is less demanding than using your wrist only (I noticed being able to play _way_ longer vs. picking "normally"), or you can use stretching/bending thumb and index finger in addition to your wrist movement to accentuate certain notes.
I wish someone had told me these basic things 55 years ago. I gave up guitar and mandolin playing because I could never guarantee playing accurately. Eventually, my instruments were given away to much better players than me.
I just got a notification from YT about RWBHere's reply and saw that you deleted my comment. Thanks! I guess you simply don't want your channel to grow since you're acting like such a douche towards potential subscribers.
Thank you. You own the corner on this one. I have always had at least 1 guitar since I was 15, almost 60 years ago. First thing I notice at a jam or in a music store is a "players" hands. Especially the fingernails. Yours. Why I watched it all. I keep a pair of nail trimmers with the attached short nail file, at all times. I use Chicken picks 2 - 3 mm, a $20 Billy Gibbons custom modded Peso, a 20 cent Euro coin I found in a pawn shop ( love the ridge around the coin ), and a .7 mm Guitar Center plastic pick I found in a jar on their sales counter ( when I am playing the .008"s set up, not so much rattling ). And then, there's Jeff Beck. RIP.
But many great guitar players hold the pick their own unique way.
After over 50 years of playing I recently realized this. The mandolin great Mike Marshall talked about this years ago especially the part about keeping your thumb straight. It took a while to break my bad habits but it has made a difference. I am 71 years old and can tell you that you are never to old to learn new things. This is the best video I have seen on this subject. Thanks for validating me😂
This is AWESOME - I have played my entire life. I can play with feel and can play multiple genres of music (mostly blues and jazz). I was never happy with my picking hand. I have had some of the best guitar teachers as well. I have asked all of them about how to hold the pick better. They would always just dismiss it and say I sounded fine -don't change it.
But this short video was what I was looking for. Within minutes I can feel the difference. This unlocks SO many things for me - thank you!
That's so awesome to hear...this is exactly why I love teaching and doing these videos. Thanks for the comment and for watching!
My go to pick is graghtech TUSQ st 0.68
I use a Jim Dunlop .73 mm, it's like the one the Edge uses so I have read. I find if on slow passages or arpeggiating chords if you slightly pull out away from the guitar body when picking a string as you're picking the tone is enhanced.
Thank you. I have played for well over 50 years. I don't remember ever being told about the position of the fingers on the pick, or the relationship of how the muscles of the hand and fingers work most efficiently. Great lesson, Sir!
That’s great to hear, thank you for your comment and for watching!
12:22 😅
I've been playing for years but recently decided to really take a look at my playing and correct my technique and after months of adjusting my picking and much frustration I finally discovered that what you're talking about here was my main problem...I was flexing my thumb. It was great to see this video and just reinforce what I've recently discovered. Thanx!
I watched this video on Monday night. It is now Wednesday morning and this lesson has changed my life! Got my first electric 40 years ago 🤪
As someone who has spent far too long looking at UA-cam videos on this matter, when I'd rather have been learning songs, I believe this is the best and most in depth picking guide which has been missing and prevented me from understanding. I want to say after 15 years of playing, I've finally fixed this; however, no matter how much I cover the pick to prevent the 360 spin, I can't seem to get it. You are the first person I've seen address the 360 degree spin specifically though which is promising, and I will continue to watch. Thanks for this invaluable video, I hope it eventually clicks, but the spin seems to keep happening
I like what you said about holding the pick. As for pick type, "all the pros" never do *anything* just one way.
THANK you. Good video, but what a blanket statement. Easily debunked.
Stick on pick grips were key to letting me hold loosely but securely. I struggled for YEARS and kept returning to finger style.
I finally tried Fender Mojotone pick grips - literally instant fix. I just stopped fighting, could trust my hand to hold the pick.
I switched to generic stick on pads (much cheaper and pick can't turn in it - mojotones are a slip on pocket thing).
Within a week I no longer needed that grips. I had learned to ignore my hand and just hold it.
It was all bad habits and getting in my own way.
I have used a Herco Nylon, Flat Flex, HE211 Silver Flex 75 for many decades as my exclusive electric guitar pick. I also use it with acoustics, but sometimes I choose a lighter, thinner pick for stumming.
I have used Jim Dunlop's Jazz III in Ultex for a number of years. Recently, I received a 1.5 mm Gravity acrylic pick as part of the package with a JHS pedal I bought. I was hooked. Since acquiring the first Gravity acrylic pick, I picked up a 5 pack of 1.5mm in assorted colours from Amazon. I have also obtained a Gravity acrylic in 3mm and am totally in love. I used to bust a lot of strings flailing away with the 'paper' picks. Haven't busted a string in years and my articulation is much improved.
This video actually took my problems away. Other videos on youtube on this topic didn’t do that for me, Thank you Max👍🏻
Anton Oparin (one of the best, if not the best alternate picker out there tells quite the opposite.
Your thumb should not go over the pick but the top of it should be alligned with the edge of the pick. Also just the tip of the pick sticking out with a firm grip in order to NOT have any movement between the pick and the thumb and indexfinger. Also he uses the middle finger for extra support.
He uses the blue 1mm Dunlop Jazz Tortex which has just a little bit of flex, which he told me you need.
Thank you. I'm just starting out and the idea of slicing the strings, not paddling the strings instantly made a HUGE difference.
I gotta tell ya, I've learned so much from this. Just in a few hours, I'm already the best player I've ever been in decades of wasting time. I can't believe it, how much time I've wasted forcing my way through crap just to find out my bad pick holding was "holding" me back so much. Hard to believe.....thank you! Oh, and it feels great too ;)
thank you so much, I appreciate hearing that
I'm a classical guitarist and play with my fingers but have been experimenting with playing with a pick . This is the best video I have found on this aspect of pick technique. Thank you .
Glad it helped!
This is great advice. Yes, there are contrary examples to some of this advice. But if you're still learning or struggling, this is a great way to start. It helped me.
Is it an absolute must that I have to use the pointy end of a pick, do the rounded sides have any benefit or not
Absolutely spot on mate. There is so much bad and outright incorrect advice out there but this nails it
As an intermediate player, this may be one of the best bits of advice I've had in ages. As soon as I tried it I could feel the difference. Thank you! It's helped me bolster my style. Good form, good tone, just winging the notes.
Glad it helped!
Hi Max, thank you very much - this was really helpful.
I'm a bassist who has been playing for 50+ years. Your picking videos have helped me. Not afraid to take instruction on playing or admit that I don't know everything. I play a lot of metal and like to be busy on the fretboard. I use a Fender Heavy triangular pick. I find the tip shape and size of the pick overall allows me to change attack positions on the fly with confidence that the pick will remain in my hand throughout. However, occasionally missing strokes and not coordinating perfectly with my fretting hand are still issues that crop-up in my playing even after all these decades. I have watched a lot of picking videos. Many players advise to fortify your index finger against excessive movement by putting the middle finger next to the index finger instead of pulling away the remaining 3 fingers. Do you have an opinion on this? I've always held my pick with the remaining 3 fingers pulled away.
I use just the index finger...I'm wary of using more energy than i need to, so i personally avoid that
I've always struggled with regular tutorials anywhere weather on UA-cam or in real life people never tell you what the points that matter in your grip are.
this is the type of information that people need to be covering, great work honestly love the video. keep it real man
Happy to help!
Took my 25 years of playing but I finally started holding the pick correctly and wow what a difference! Also, the jazz 3 XL red one is the best!
How long did it take you to get comfortable playing the proper way? I’m in the same boat as you. 25+ holding it wrong. I’m trying to switch but still awkward.
@@MajesticFuzz a couple of months. Benefits are there after that though
Thank you for this lesson.
I just started to learn how to play the guitar and I am struggling a bit with the pick.
This will help me for sure!
Newbie using a pick. Watched a lot of videos on this and your video makes the most sense and especially your last tip.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've been struggling a lot since knowing I had a bad picking technique, and other youtubers recommended that very thumb bend as the "correct" way but my hand didn't like that at all, I was forcing my thumb to bend and it felt awful. Thanks for getting me out of that hole! You earned a new sub ;)
I was not covering with my thumb....so I'm going to work on that. Thanks !
Excellent!
Dude. You explained this so well and helped with all the frustration I was having with learning pick hand movement!
Thanks for the video. I started learning to play bass when I was 42 to learn my favorite punk songs. My right hand has always been a problem for me and your video helped me understand important but simple things. I can't use picks smaller than 1.5 mm.
Everyone thinks the chord hand is the toughest to teach, it's NOT, holding the pick and finding just the right pick for your style of playing takes some time. Great topic for this video!
Well said! Thanks!
Absolutely. It took years to achieve a picking skill to rival my classically trained right hand.
Chord hand is easy asf hahahah. I'm a beginner but so far the only difficult part on the chord hand are barre chords. The right hand is the issue here, because that is the less used motion in day to day life.
@@shyper17so the chord hand is easy as fuck as long as you’re not doing difficult chords?
Agree 100%. It's only when you get more proficient at chords that it dawns on you how crap your right-hand technique is.
Outstanding forensic decsription, thank you Max - brilliantly explained - simple logic yet not so simple.
I sometimes close my fist when speed picking. It helps to keep your fingers from hitting the strings and it can help some with fast picking as you don't have to deal with the weight of your fingers flopping around.
Superb video! I've been playing for over 30 years and found these tips out through trial and error. This video is a huge time saver for many. I also use the Dunlop Jazz 3 at 1.5mm for most lead work, but will also use thinner picks for acoustic chord work. Having played in many cover bands I find the pick can have tonal benefits, in that some times a different pick gets closer to the sound of the original track without me having to vary pressure (with either hand) or dial in the tone.
After some years of playing, I ended up settling for the Dunlop Flow line (1.0 up to 2.0 depending on what I play); they slide easily across the strings, have a clear & bright tone and don't slip out of the hand.
Excellent and helpful video. I've been playing for a while. I thought I had holding the pick down since I know how to avoid most beginner mistakes. But this advice really helped me.
Nice video, great tips! Thanks!
Do you change your pick for different styles e.g strumming on an acoustic ??????
Thank you! I followed the tips in this video and noticed immediate improvements in my picking.
Glad it helped!
I have been searching for the right way to hold a pick and I have seen a lot. Tips #1and #2 are something new to me. Some may have done them in their instructions but you're the only one who specifically pointed out.
I have been playing for over thirty years and still cannot use a plectrum. On the plus side it got me into playing different finger style picking, great lesson, thanks 👍🏻
Great to hear!
Thanks for your help sir!
Jazz III maxgrip (the red one) is the perfect pick for me. Just a hair of give so that it doesn't feel rigid while still being thick enough for complete accuracy. Thanks for the video!
Funny I just grabbed a pick while watching this video to practice holding it and that's exactly the one that I grabbed: Jazz III red! Nice call
So beautifully explained. Thanks man , it was a light switch moment
This is a great video very much appreciated as i struggle greatly with these issues
This is what I have found from years of playing. I do change the way I hold the pick depending on what I am playing. Sometimes just a small amount of the pick is showing and also sometimes depending on what I’m playing I allow the edge of the pick to slide across the strings. Also at times I move the pick around by loosing the grip and allow the pick to move into a new position.
I have been playing for about 40 years now and struggled with my guitar pick for maybe 10 years, back then there was no internet, and we had to figure it out ourselves. I couldn't explain it better myself, this is exactly how it should be done, there are really good players that have a different technique. But I would recommend this technique to everyone.I tried just about every guitar pick and using now Jazz 3 or jazz 3 XL depending on the mood. Great lesson!
Thank you for this video! I just started learning a few days ago and while I saw how to pinch the pick between my finger and thumb, nothing until now mentioned not bending my thumb and making a tight fist. Then you mentioned picking at an angle and everything changed for me already.
Glad it was helpful!
This angle shouldn't always be the same, mind you. Look up "pick slanting" and upwards/downwards escape, both extremely important for advanced players.
@@rockapartie Yeah, a friend of mine also said the same thing. I'll definitely look it up, but I am far far away from even being an amateur. Thanks for the info!
This is great information. Thanks.
My single string soloing has improved big time. But I have a hard time for playing rhythm guitar holding the pick in this manner. This has been my main problem. Any tips ?
It’s hard to say without seeing what the issue is.
I'm 67 and am what I would call a seasoned beginner. I have been using a Dunlap .50mm pick which is considered light. I used it thinking its flexibility would make it easier to play. Boy, was I wrong after watching this video. I picked up the thickest pick in my collection, a Planet Waves .85mm Medium and have begun using that one. What a difference it made and proved everything you stated. As a way to say thanks take a listen to Colorado Song by The Ozark Mountain Dare Devils. The guitars on it are just wonderful. New subscriber too. Thanks again, Mike in Denver.
55 years playing and holy crap I figured this out by myself and I'm doing it right. Still missing now and then. Pay attention without paying attention. There's always a first time being right. LOL. Surprised in Belize. Thanks for the help.
Thank you, that was helpful. I used to ignore the rotating centre issue and the pick kept rotating between my fingers and the triangle tip hiding like an aircraft wheels after a couple of strokes. Proper covering is the solution.
Another great and informative video. I just found you and can't wait to watch more of your videos. I use a Dunlop 1mm Max grip and really like it.
I'm starting out with both acoustic and electric guitars and I'm doing a ton of strumming, playing chords to my favorite songs. Everything you're saying makes sense, but does the stiff pick "rule" apply to strumming too?
It definitely does!
What might be the issue if i hear EAD strings squeak when playing fast? I basically hear pick scratching the strings (EAD) and cannot really or have no idea how to solve this. What might be wrong? Angle? Attack? Pick itself?
could be all of the above. I'd have to see it to give you a precise answer
Darts don't require precision. My brother yelled no matter where I hit him?
😂
You sir deserve a stand up special
"You don't hold a dart like a spear." Maybe he doesn't. This. Is. Sparta!
Awesome! Thx a lot, bro!
I was using .88 Dunlops. They are textured and I was constantly breaking the 1st string. I play a lot of R&B with a lot of stacatto upstrokes. I found out the texture was grabbing the high E string and snapping it. So I switched to the tortoise shell type of roughly the same thickness.
Just subscribed very interesting and very well put over your voice and manner is very relaxing to watch thank you from wales UK
Having never been taught correctly how to grip a pick I struggled with it for years, slippage was a big issue for me. I've been playing way too long to change things up now and I still don't grip the pick correctly. What I did do was to create my own picks and grip pads to go on them, which eliminates slippage. Zenfire picks. My advice to players is to learn to hold the pick correctly from the start. This was a much needed video for many players.
I use a thumb pick & sanded the tip a little thinner, i have trouble feeling a flat pick since i nicked my thumb on the table saw one day, but i made it through & stiill have them all👍
I'm just starting guitar in earnest and my favorite right now is a .96 mm plectra
Thanks, very informative, i've been playing about five years now, and it makes sense what you say about tension, i remember learning golf, for the first time, they say tension destroys a golf swing, and I guess the same holds true with picking, but lately i've been trying to use the same pics that Matteo Mancuso, uses, which is five,
Lol, thanks again. 👍🙏🇺🇲🎸
Super use full video. I’m not a guitarist, but i’m currently working on making a stone plectrum(made for what i belive is basalt) for my friend and this was the perfect guide for me to descide on the overall shape. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Does this apply to strumming and picking? As a forever beginner i’m always having issues with strumming smoothly without a tense hand.
🙏
No, find out what suits you. What he said about the physical properties of heavy picks is mostly or perhaps entirely true, but different styles of music can call for thinner picks. Absolutist takes like "heavy picks only" won't help, especially when shred-heavy players like Eddie Van Halen preferred thin picks even for shredding. King Buzzo at least sometimes uses a .50, which people wrongly think can *never* work in metal--and he's highly influential. Then, if you're not trying to shred, there's a whole world of thicknesses out there that are more likely to have a tone/feel more suitable for plenty of other genres.
Oh, and yes, one of the best things I ever did for my technique is to play more lightly/with a relaxed grip and let volume knobs handle the loudness. PIcks fell out of my hand until I LOOSENED my grip, which he seems to rightly be saying here. Playing hard doesn't do as much to change the tone as I used to think it surely would. It just wears the strings/pick out faster. Not that this guy said otherwise, but I just wanted to add that.
John Frusciante uses .6 orange dunlop tortex picks. You definitely don’t need a thick heavy pick to be a great player or a good tone.
Paul Gilbert also uses thin picks, for many years also using the 0.6 orange Dunlop Tortex, and more recently using 0.5 custom picks.
@@rustythoughts when I pre-ordered his “Behold Electric Guitar “CD I got some of his signature picks. I don’t know how he does it… But then again I don’t know how he does 99.98% of what he does so I just strap in and enjoy the ride lol
I’ve been using the red 0.5mm for decades. I have a few that are years old and they all have the curve of my thumb baked in. The perfect pick for me.
Imagine how John could sound if he would use a good thick pick.
@@andreasfetzer7559 the issue is he would have less control his dynamics of being able to pick softly vs hard. He uses a boss CE-1 which has a preamp which when it hits its “peak” it breaks up, and when picked softly does not hit that peak and remains a clean tone. A thick pick is great if you want more even dynamics.
I got a Dunlop variety pack with Jazz, Flow etc. as I just wasn't progressing any further with the Tortex picks. I kept hearing about the Jazz III, and while I didn't mind them, I loved the Flow 1.5mm. Bought the Flow variety pack, and even though I think 1.5mm is for me, the 2.5mm and 3mm are great too. Maybe when I get faster I'll migrate to those.
Great vid, very good tips, keep up the awesome work!
Glad it's helping, that's a great pack to start with!
Number 3 took me years to discover. Great advice I wish I had in the beginning. Thanks!
Incredible, I came to exact the same conclusions after 1 year of playing. Great to know that ''my style'' of picking is right.
Great advice.I use a Dunlop Mini Stubby 1.0mm. It is durable and great for getting pinch harmonics with, but is also very accurate and seems to respond to soft playing or digging in. It is a great all rounder.
Great to hear!
nice video Max. I am going to try and work on your pick technique because I have been having the slippage problem for some time. I have three acoustic guitars and primarily use a Pickboy ceramic 1.0mm. I have tried many thinner picks of all kinds of material but like the Pickboy best. My guitars are a Martin HD-28, A Taylor 814ce, and a Gibson Hummingbird. The Pickboy works great on all with a deeper tone for all strings.
Hi Max, old guitar teacher here. I'm no longer surprised at how many of my clients need help in choosing and using a pick (plectrum here in the UK!)
I really like the way you have given this information. Good common sense well broken down and explained. Well done!
Of course there will be individual preferences as personal style develops, but I tend to suggest to my clients that they "try" large triangle 346 style picks -which gives most players
1. easier to hold (your "stay natural).
2. More material - easier to "cover" with straight thumb)
3. Hold a pick-don't grip it (Let it move)
4.Thicker picks (I encourage tm to buy a selection of sizes of Dunlop Tortex large triangles and see which feels best (they usually graduate to the thicker ones - at least 1 m/m )
You've done a great public service to pickers!
Thanks Max very informative. 👍👍💯🇺🇸
No problem 👍
I've started using a Dunlop with the most rounded tip, to get a more mellow sound, especially when strumming. That's just my style though, not saying everyone should do it. Also, when soloing, the rounded tip makes pinch harmonics easier since you can get your thumb down closer to the string.
My dad always used one of those big, thin triangle picks. I never could get used to that. I settled on a the style that’s in this video. I use a thicker pick for acoustics, and thinner for electrics.
I've been playing for more than 50 years, but I have never received instruction on how to hold the pick for best performance until now. I've always had trouble with the pick rotating, falling etc. I will try these techniques. Thanks! Liked and subscribed.
Edit: I just noticed the commenter immediately below me said something very similar. I guarantee I had not seen that until after I posted. Perhaps this indicates this information is not readily available, even though one has been playing a long time...
Thanks for this! Ive been playing for 6 months and apparently advancing fairly quickly. I have been playing with .73m pics since they seemed to work best as a true beginner. Until now.
I just assumed .73 was the right one for me not making the corrolation between progressing in my journey and modifying my tools. I knew when it was time to move from nylon strings to steel and upgrade to a Talyor, but didnt even think of something as fundamental as my pic. After watching this I grabbed a 1mm and wow...i can actually "feel" the difference. I'm learning "Give a little bit" by Supertramp and even just the intro strums are so much crisper with the 1m. I guess I have graduated to the thicker pics. Love it. Thanks for the tips.
I gave up trying to use a pick , but this advice looks good . Thank you .
I use Cool heavies. They're white, so easy to see. They have a nice texture for finger & thumb and 3 points. When one point wears, which takes quite some time, rotate to a new point.
Thanks for the lesson!
Very cool!
Excellent info and presentation. Has anyone checked out Frank Marino's picking technique?
Thank you for your tips 😄! I can’t even get that from the guitar instructor I have.
Happy to help!
Jason Richardson JR Dunlop jazz 3
Swiss picks mini jazz 1.35mm
I watch a few of your and decided for me
to try this I’m not a season player still learning
but this help me achieve a faster picking attack keeping the thumb straight helped my tremolo picking on a single string able to move faster , thanks for the valuable tips , I just subscribed I want to learn as much as I can I want be a lead player but also want to learn rhythm and lead I enjoy playing and want to learn it all , I’m
disabled legs don’t work anymore played drums and when I couldn’t kick the bass drum and work the Hi-hat , instead of feeling sorry for myself i grabbed a guitar to play the rock-n-roll I’ve grown up with , a year and half later im in a better place . Thanks again for what you do and taking the time out of your day . God Bless yeah bro 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Great overview on a topic that just doesn't get enough respect, but yet is key to good playing. I am an Acoustic guy and favorite pick is Gravity Classic Standard 1.5. I did bite the bullet and buy a Blue Tooth pick just to see for myself and it made a difference in tone that was detectable, but not $35 worth of difference (: So, gravity is fine for me.
I'm doing it mostly right, but what i always have trouble with is holding the pick too close to the tip. So that my fingernail also hits the string. It sounds fine like this but I assume it's not ideal. When i hold the pick further away from tip i have control problems... I never hear of other people having this issue
Great info Max 🎶🎶🎶
Glad you think so!
I use both rounded tips and pointy Jazz picks. The rounded tips give me a mellower tone. I play Jazz.
thanks bedst video on picking i have wached you explain things logical and easy
Hello. Thanks. I know most people curl their forefinger in to be a "ledge" for the pick. I have large hands and long fingers so when curling my finger in that far causes tension. It feels more natural for pick to be on side (sorta maybe between pad and side) of my finger with the finger pointing mostly toward the point of pick. Thumb part I do same as you instruct. Sorry for long post. I guess with long arms and big hands you just gotta figure out what works. So far not having the greatest of luck. Play acoustic mainly. Maybe need a larger body guitar. I have a standard dread now. Large hands and long fingers affect fretting hand too. I cannot put my thumb under the neck (when you need to) in the manner most often taught and end up pointing it toward the headstock a little above fingers since that is only comfortable relaxed position. Directly under the 2nd finger area it's bent really hard and uncomfortable. I have a thin profile neck. Tried thicker/smaller radius and worse. Finally when strumming can't keep my right arm from moving slowly forward as I play until I suddenly realize I'm strumming over the end of fretboard.
I use a Herco flex 75. It ‘s heavy but it flexes just right for the way I play and has a pointy tip.
I'm currently trying to unlearn 20+ years of holding the pick wrong. I have always struggled with picking. Instead of trying to get better, I just shrugged and said "I guess I'm just a legato guy!" There are so many awesome licks I wish I could play.
Nice lesson, lots of common sense. Plenty to learn here. I like the Dunlop Jazz III XL for electric. For acoustic I’ve just been using a standard medium pick, but I’m going to try something thicker and see how it goes.
Excellent way of breaking this down!
Thank you
For strumming and rhythm, do you use flexer pick or still use thick stiff pick? I found using a thicker or stiff pick gives a harsher sound when strumming . Your comments please
Always the same pick…changing picks during a doing everyone you go from striking to playing a lick isn’t possible. Always the same, heavy pick
@ thank you for the reply
You smashed it. Thank you. gonna start practicing
Right on!
I needed this…thank you 🤘🏼
Okay, since my last comment I have noticed a problem and I am hoping you can give some guidance. I have my thumb in the right place but I can’t find a way to place my index without a side effect. If I cover in an angle that my less than long fingers allow, the nail on my index scrapes the strings before the pick and it is noticeable. If I hold it slightly painfully to make to tip point 180° to my thumb, the strain makes my fingers grip tighter.
This is a tendon issue. Shoot me an email. maxrichmusic.com/contact
Great tips precisely stated.
It's funny! I went from a nylon hard pick to a .53 nylon. When I was flatpick arpeggiating a lot, I used a hard pick. but now it do more strumming so the lighter pick sounds smoother. I've had to learn to adjust my flatpicking to the lighter pick tho.
I use a Blue Chip Jazz 50 when I am playing faster, alternate picking, and a Blue Chip Jazz 60 LG when I am using strumming patterns. Main difference is just the size. It’s just easier for me to have the larger contact surface with down and up strumming vs picking.