I shred with a .6mm small teardrop Tortex held close to the tip, and nothing is better (unless you think that EVH and Paul Gilbert were just plain wrong). A thinner plectrum with good flex glides through the strings without forcing them out of the way, and once you get used to the feeling, thicker plectrums become obsolete. In addition, for legato technique you want a levelling of your attack to produce an even sound level, so there's no need for the specific dynamic control that a clumsy, heavy plectrum supplies...speed is about efficiency, not brute force.
This!!!! The greatest thing about thinner picks is that you can pretty much throw your compression pedal away. Those volume spikes that come with heavier picks are gone. All it takes to really play well with a thinner pick is a very relaxed hand and you are right they glide through the strings perfectly. Now playing with thick picks just feels like hitting the strings with a brick! They thud, thin picks sing.
I firmly believe that it's just a matter of what you're used to, and that people gravitate toward rigid picks because of herd mentality, which is just basic human nature. I'm no shredder, and I can't stand rapidly strumming two or more strings with a pick more rigid than a 0.73mm Tortex. The way you orient the pick also matters. Thin picks let me keep the pick almost totally in line with the string, which reduces required movement, helps accuracy, and sounds better to me. I've also watched high-speed video of someone picking rapidly with thin picks, and there is no player who moves faster than the pick; you aren't waiting for the pick to straighten back out. Finally, even rigid picks are "flexing," in a manner of speaking, when you pick -- it's just that your fingers are what give, rather than the pick itself. At the end of the day, you should give a variety of picks an honest try, forget dogma, and use what works best for you.
Dude... so been trying for months to play with heavy picks and my playing feels sloppy not matter what I , I’ve changed angles, tried pick more light and I get stuck on the strings, when ai play with .6mm everything feels way way better and faster
After 4 years of playing, I’ve decided to take my technique more seriously and you’ve been a huge help. In the span of a month I’ve progressed more than I have in 2 years. Thank you.
Afaik, Van Halen used a .60 Nylon pick. Dave Mustain also uses a standard .73 Tortex. I think all players should at least give it a try. There are advantages either way and it could just work for you.
Hi, let me contribute two cents to your video. Sorry. This blue Ibanez pick is 1.00 mm celulloid. It's different from the current guitar pick Paul Gilbert is using now (he is using the 0.50 mm Werewolves of Portland Tortex). A decade ago, Paul was using 0.60 mm (the Oranges), but now he is using 0.50 mm. If you want to compare with accuracy, grab the Red Tortex 0.50 mm. Btw, I changed the thickness of my picks forever, and I cannot come back to the thick ones. I'm using a Brazilian brand Rouxinylon 0.50 mm (nylon pick), and I switched all my techniques, and I'm happy with that. In the past, I used 3.00 mm Big Stubby. ^^
Those Ibanez signatures are about 1.0mm celluloid. Not exactly thin. Paul has been using orange and red .60mm and .50mm standard 351 style dunlop tortex since at least 2008 now, (although it looks like he’s gone with the wedge recently) Try the vid with some of those, and you may have a new appreciation for how much more of a feat it is that he’s able to use them.
I use the black tortex, its also .60mm., i havent played with the orange one, is there any difference"? Im asking because since i used these picks i fell in deep love with them.
This mania for heavier and heavier picks comes from the time of Yngwie Malmsteen onwards. It was absolute received wisdom through the late 60s to mid 70s that if you needed to play faster you got a thinner pick, it just makes sense, it's not the 1930s, we have amplification now!🤭
The problem I see with heavy picks is that you have to be more precise too, and there's more resistance coming from the strings. I've been experimenting with thinner picks now, and I feel that I can be a lot more forgiving with the right hand..
Yes, precisely. Thicker plectrums thud against the strings, making faster playing involve far more effort than needed. Speed is maximised by efficiency.
I've been playing with a .60mm Dunlop Nylon for decades and I mostly play 220 to 260BPM tremolo picking. I play light and I hold my pick very close to the tip. I've never had any issues. I tried thicker picks and I feel it just gets in the way of speed from my experience.
It depends on string gauge. With 8’s I can rip and dig in with a .88mm Dunlop. A thicker pick and it’s easy to throw off your intonation from pushing the string to much.
I think thin picks might be more helpful when playing light strings or strings tuned in a way that they have lower tension. I believe Paul went through a 8s and 9s phase for a while so thinner picks might have kept his heavy pick hand from knocking things around too much constantly sounding out of tune. It’s like less string attack from the pick combined with less resistance from the string may balance out.
I'm thinking of going thinner i have been practicing with 1 mm plus and I always get caught up on the low e as I'm a heavy picker. Could be my technique but it's worth a try
I would be curious to see you try really pointy picks, like Jeff Loomis' signature pick. I, like you, pick fairly deep and aggressive, but after trying these Loomis picks, I feel like I'm only allowed to pick the absolute minimum depth, otherwise I find myself getting caught/stuck.
An Interesting video with some tasty and super fast playing to boot. I make picks (zenfire picks.) I have found over the years that picks with any flex (for me) is a problem (it's a variable) and variables are something we don't need. I require a rigid pick with an aggressive grip or texture so the pick stays where you put it. All the different materials picks are made from affect the tone and even sometimes the feel. Exploring picks is going down a rabbit hole. There seems to be as many different picks, shapes, thicknesses, sizes, materials and looks as there are people. That being said ... It's fun to explore all the options and learn what works for each person.
This guy made a big mistake these blue picks are 1.mm picks not .60 paul uses a .50mm tortex pick . i think this guy tries everything just to prove that his advise is the right way to do things .
Yep... If you dig deep into the strings the pick flexes... If you want to avoid that, you have to use the very tip of the pick and a lot less hand pressure... Also, playing with the edge will wear out the pick very fast. In the end of the day, it's a matter of taste...
I use 0.6mm picks, super happy with it! I like the sound more with them. I have also a bunch of 1.14mm picks and I can admit they are more accurate when shredding but damn, I dont like that they are dull in compason to the thin ones.
Good video and yep, he is right. But you can try for yourself and you be the judge of that. I explored many and I keep exploring but I always come back to 1mm or 1.14mm. cheers!
I use a 1.0 I play metal I wouldn't use anything thinner but 1mm feel good for me. I wouldn't recommend anyone use thinner picks maybe good for strumming Not everyone is paul gilbert but everyone has to find the right size pick that fits them feels good to them.
John Frusciante basically said that he can shred and strum fast and precisely with a thinner pick (dunlop .60) but the thicker picks are a one trick pony, just good for shredding. Strumming is like beating the strings with a brick when it comes to thick picks, no give. The irony is that if you really want to play well with a thin pick you just have to relax and that is always good to improve technique. Thinner picks also have a livelier sound, hitting a string with a think pick thuds. I play clean though with very little distortion usually so that really matters.
I was using a pick of 1.26 and it bended with time. I changed to 1.54 and It doesn’t bend. I can feel I can play with more precision/accuracy and better. I use clayton acetal picks. I’m pretty content with changing the guitar pick to 1.54.
I just got a Clayton acetal triangle sharp , and really like it. It’s my new favourite pick 👍 It’s a 0.8mm , so I want to buy some thicker ones to experiment
My issue is this: I love the feel and control of a thicker pick (IMO thick is 1.0mm or more) but my wrist gets tense and slows me down after a few minutes of playing with one. My leads are great, but anything alt picked for rhythm on the heavier strings, not so great.
I find yes you can play fast with thin picks. (Faster? I can't say yes or no ). But yes it makes it easier to pick cause less resistance from the pick. But the picked note I find is alot thinner than it would of been with a thicker pick. That's my opinion as a guitar player so not all would agree. And that's cool about discussions like this.
Wouldn't getting used to the feel of different picks be a good thing? I know that when I play metal rhythms or any sort of lead guitar I like Jazz III size pick, but for strumming chords on an acoustic guitar I like a larger and thinner pick. Also, I find using a thin pick to play fast leads brings my overall speed down, so in theory, if I can bring my speed with thin picks up wouldn't my speed with a thick pick increase as well?
If you are only shredding sure, but i hate shredding. John Frusciante uses the thin orange Dunlops and the range of things he can do with those is far superior to only using thick picks. Not like Guthrie is strumming a whole lot.
What you suggest for playing fast constantly. I play 32nd or 16th notes 180 to 240 bpm songs . Blackmetal deathmetal my hand hurts after 45 1hr set . Any suggestions?
Great explanation! I'm definitely a fan of heavier picks too. I love them because they are more rigid and give me a brighter tone too. My wife and I actually make guitar picks from coconut shells and they are the best picks I've ever used. We are doing a giveaway at the moment (details can be found on my channel in case anyone is interested).
Yet but try getting really funky and strumming fast with a heavy pick they are terrible for that. A thin pick can shred if you adjust your pressure but it really cant get funky very well.
I don't know. It sounds counter-intuitive but I find thin picks better for shredding (at least for me) I always used thick picks but it is hard for me. I recently tried thin picks and it works well for some reason.
Yes they do. You're thinking ultex. Thats the one that last longer. I prefer the texture of tortex but ultext definitely stays sharper longer in the tip.
I think you need to hold the pick slightly different if you play a thinner pick. I actually prefer playing with thinner picks after getting stuck with a set of .07's. I Didn't like it at fist, the pick would fly out of my and a lot but I got used to it . Shredding is wayyy more comfortable to me now with a thinner pick. I think the trick is to not play it directly on the tip like a normal pick. I don't grip the fat part of the pick, i place my thumb towards the tip of the pick is the tip is barely protruding past my fingers. Thick picks feel slow to me now, I'm currently using a 1.0 and I feel like I can play anything with that size but I like the feel of the thinner picks when shredding
It's a stupid video because anybody that's concerned with shredding like that... is probably not gonna be struggling to realize the pros and cons of each size pick.
@@nickguzman1734 yep. There is no universal right or wrong pick for shredding. You got players like Jeff Loomis and John Petrucci who prefer thick picks, then players like Paul Gilbert, EVH, and Dave Mustaine who prefer thin picks. Whatever is comfortable and you can play cleanly with is the pick you should use 😀
No he's opinionated and just wrong. You can shred with a thin pick. It depends on your action, string gauge and tension ad well as your grip tip. We don't live in a damn vacuum. Hos argument is basically "I can't play with a thin pick so you can't either and here's my proof and my proof is you seeing me struggle shredding with a thin pick". He's a clown and no one should listen to him because you'll become just as narrow-minded and opinionated as him.
and yet EVH also used a .60 pick and he wasn't very fast either... your a UA-cam guitarist and PG and EVH did what? Oh yeah!!! anyone know what satriani uses??? Mic drop
Saying because Paul Gilbert uses thin picks everyone should it's just stupid after all we are talking about Paul Gilbert one of the best guitarist around and not to mention he's been playing since he was around 5 or 6 years old and give Paul Gilbert a piece of paper I'm convinced he would be able to shred up and down the neck, I can't play with thin picks I'm also not Paul Gilbert pick size depends on the individual what feels right for them and obviously what you play strumming thin picks are great shredding probably go with a thicker pick I use a 1.0 mm but that's me I'm not Paul Gilbert.
Gilbert doesn't use his own signature picks. He uses Dunlop Tortex .50 & .60's
I shred with a .6mm small teardrop Tortex held close to the tip, and nothing is better (unless you think that EVH and Paul Gilbert were just plain wrong). A thinner plectrum with good flex glides through the strings without forcing them out of the way, and once you get used to the feeling, thicker plectrums become obsolete. In addition, for legato technique you want a levelling of your attack to produce an even sound level, so there's no need for the specific dynamic control that a clumsy, heavy plectrum supplies...speed is about efficiency, not brute force.
This!!!! The greatest thing about thinner picks is that you can pretty much throw your compression pedal away. Those volume spikes that come with heavier picks are gone. All it takes to really play well with a thinner pick is a very relaxed hand and you are right they glide through the strings perfectly. Now playing with thick picks just feels like hitting the strings with a brick! They thud, thin picks sing.
The 2.0 mm flow picks are really good! They are big but really comfortable and the grip on it is great and not slippery
I firmly believe that it's just a matter of what you're used to, and that people gravitate toward rigid picks because of herd mentality, which is just basic human nature. I'm no shredder, and I can't stand rapidly strumming two or more strings with a pick more rigid than a 0.73mm Tortex. The way you orient the pick also matters. Thin picks let me keep the pick almost totally in line with the string, which reduces required movement, helps accuracy, and sounds better to me. I've also watched high-speed video of someone picking rapidly with thin picks, and there is no player who moves faster than the pick; you aren't waiting for the pick to straighten back out. Finally, even rigid picks are "flexing," in a manner of speaking, when you pick -- it's just that your fingers are what give, rather than the pick itself. At the end of the day, you should give a variety of picks an honest try, forget dogma, and use what works best for you.
That’s similar to what I found. I wouldn’t want to do fast strumming (on an acoustic) like bluegrass with anything heavier than 0.73.
Dude... so been trying for months to play with heavy picks and my playing feels sloppy not matter what I , I’ve changed angles, tried pick more light and I get stuck on the strings, when ai play with .6mm everything feels way way better and faster
After 4 years of playing, I’ve decided to take my technique more seriously and you’ve been a huge help. In the span of a month I’ve progressed more than I have in 2 years. Thank you.
Go for it 👍
Afaik, Van Halen used a .60 Nylon pick. Dave Mustain also uses a standard .73 Tortex. I think all players should at least give it a try. There are advantages either way and it could just work for you.
Van halen used thin picks?
Hi, let me contribute two cents to your video. Sorry. This blue Ibanez pick is 1.00 mm celulloid. It's different from the current guitar pick Paul Gilbert is using now (he is using the 0.50 mm Werewolves of Portland Tortex). A decade ago, Paul was using 0.60 mm (the Oranges), but now he is using 0.50 mm. If you want to compare with accuracy, grab the Red Tortex 0.50 mm. Btw, I changed the thickness of my picks forever, and I cannot come back to the thick ones. I'm using a Brazilian brand Rouxinylon 0.50 mm (nylon pick), and I switched all my techniques, and I'm happy with that. In the past, I used 3.00 mm Big Stubby. ^^
Those Ibanez signatures are about 1.0mm celluloid. Not exactly thin. Paul has been using orange and red .60mm and .50mm standard 351 style dunlop tortex since at least 2008 now, (although it looks like he’s gone with the wedge recently) Try the vid with some of those, and you may have a new appreciation for how much more of a feat it is that he’s able to use them.
I use the black tortex, its also .60mm., i havent played with the orange one, is there any difference"? Im asking because since i used these picks i fell in deep love with them.
Eddie Van Halen,Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker,Neal Schon,Jimi Hendrix & Brian Setzer all use medium gauge picks....are we any better??
This mania for heavier and heavier picks comes from the time of Yngwie Malmsteen onwards. It was absolute received wisdom through the late 60s to mid 70s that if you needed to play faster you got a thinner pick, it just makes sense, it's not the 1930s, we have amplification now!🤭
The problem I see with heavy picks is that you have to be more precise too, and there's more resistance coming from the strings. I've been experimenting with thinner picks now, and I feel that I can be a lot more forgiving with the right hand..
Yes, precisely. Thicker plectrums thud against the strings, making faster playing involve far more effort than needed. Speed is maximised by efficiency.
I've been playing with a .60mm Dunlop Nylon for decades and I mostly play 220 to 260BPM tremolo picking. I play light and I hold my pick very close to the tip. I've never had any issues. I tried thicker picks and I feel it just gets in the way of speed from my experience.
Tremolo picking is something different than playing a scale.. synchronisation is not important in that context.
Dude me too 😂 I thought something was weird with me
It depends on string gauge. With 8’s I can rip and dig in with a .88mm Dunlop. A thicker pick and it’s easy to throw off your intonation from pushing the string to much.
I think thin picks might be more helpful when playing light strings or strings tuned in a way that they have lower tension. I believe Paul went through a 8s and 9s phase for a while so thinner picks might have kept his heavy pick hand from knocking things around too much constantly sounding out of tune. It’s like less string attack from the pick combined with less resistance from the string may balance out.
Great Video!
I'm thinking of going thinner i have been practicing with 1 mm plus and I always get caught up on the low e as I'm a heavy picker. Could be my technique but it's worth a try
I would be curious to see you try really pointy picks, like Jeff Loomis' signature pick. I, like you, pick fairly deep and aggressive, but after trying these Loomis picks, I feel like I'm only allowed to pick the absolute minimum depth, otherwise I find myself getting caught/stuck.
I prefer the sound of chords with thin picks, it makes the attack quite bright
An Interesting video with some tasty and super fast playing to boot. I make picks (zenfire picks.) I have found over the years that picks with any flex (for me) is a problem (it's a variable) and variables are something we don't need. I require a rigid pick with an aggressive grip or texture so the pick stays where you put it. All the different materials picks are made from affect the tone and even sometimes the feel. Exploring picks is going down a rabbit hole. There seems to be as many different picks, shapes, thicknesses, sizes, materials and looks as there are people. That being said ... It's fun to explore all the options and learn what works for each person.
This guy made a big mistake these blue picks are 1.mm picks not .60 paul uses a .50mm tortex pick . i think this guy tries everything just to prove that his advise is the right way to do things .
Yep... If you dig deep into the strings the pick flexes... If you want to avoid that, you have to use the very tip of the pick and a lot less hand pressure... Also, playing with the edge will wear out the pick very fast. In the end of the day, it's a matter of taste...
I use 0.6mm picks, super happy with it! I like the sound more with them.
I have also a bunch of 1.14mm picks and I can admit they are more accurate when shredding but damn, I dont like that they are dull in compason to the thin ones.
Good video and yep, he is right. But you can try for yourself and you be the judge of that. I explored many and I keep exploring but I always come back to 1mm or 1.14mm. cheers!
I found picks that works for me it is the Jazz III XL Tortex 1.5mm , Jazz III XL Tortex Flex 1.5mm.
I use a 1.0 I play metal I wouldn't use anything thinner but 1mm feel good for me. I wouldn't recommend anyone use thinner picks maybe good for strumming
Not everyone is paul gilbert but everyone has to find the right size pick that fits them feels good to them.
John Frusciante basically said that he can shred and strum fast and precisely with a thinner pick (dunlop .60) but the thicker picks are a one trick pony, just good for shredding. Strumming is like beating the strings with a brick when it comes to thick picks, no give. The irony is that if you really want to play well with a thin pick you just have to relax and that is always good to improve technique. Thinner picks also have a livelier sound, hitting a string with a think pick thuds. I play clean though with very little distortion usually so that really matters.
I was using a pick of 1.26 and it bended with time. I changed to 1.54 and It doesn’t bend. I can feel I can play with more precision/accuracy and better. I use clayton acetal picks. I’m pretty content with changing the guitar pick to 1.54.
I just got a Clayton acetal triangle sharp , and really like it. It’s my new favourite pick 👍
It’s a 0.8mm , so I want to buy some thicker ones to experiment
My issue is this: I love the feel and control of a thicker pick (IMO thick is 1.0mm or more) but my wrist gets tense and slows me down after a few minutes of playing with one. My leads are great, but anything alt picked for rhythm on the heavier strings, not so great.
I find yes you can play fast with thin picks. (Faster? I can't say yes or no ). But yes it makes it easier to pick cause less resistance from the pick. But the picked note I find is alot thinner than it would of been with a thicker pick. That's my opinion as a guitar player so not all would agree. And that's cool about discussions like this.
Paul himself said that he uses a thin pick because he likes the sound and that it does take its toll on really high speeds.
does not sound like it is taking any toll to me lol if he were any faster it would sound like one note!
Wouldn't getting used to the feel of different picks be a good thing? I know that when I play metal rhythms or any sort of lead guitar I like Jazz III size pick, but for strumming chords on an acoustic guitar I like a larger and thinner pick. Also, I find using a thin pick to play fast leads brings my overall speed down, so in theory, if I can bring my speed with thin picks up wouldn't my speed with a thick pick increase as well?
This! To really play well with a thin pick you have to really relax and that benefits your overall technique.
I don’t even even play guitar but you make it seem entertaining
Guthrie Govan compares playing with thick and thin plectrums to the analogy of trying to draw with a normal pencil versus a floppy rubber pencil...
If you are only shredding sure, but i hate shredding. John Frusciante uses the thin orange Dunlops and the range of things he can do with those is far superior to only using thick picks. Not like Guthrie is strumming a whole lot.
What you suggest for playing fast constantly. I play 32nd or 16th notes 180 to 240 bpm songs . Blackmetal deathmetal my hand hurts after 45 1hr set . Any suggestions?
Check out this video on relaxing picking hand tension: ua-cam.com/video/rSKBMCLUddc/v-deo.html
Great explanation! I'm definitely a fan of heavier picks too. I love them because they are more rigid and give me a brighter tone too. My wife and I actually make guitar picks from coconut shells and they are the best picks I've ever used. We are doing a giveaway at the moment (details can be found on my channel in case anyone is interested).
Yet but try getting really funky and strumming fast with a heavy pick they are terrible for that. A thin pick can shred if you adjust your pressure but it really cant get funky very well.
I don't know. It sounds counter-intuitive but I find thin picks better for shredding (at least for me) I always used thick picks but it is hard for me. I recently tried thin picks and it works well for some reason.
Paul now uses Tortex, they don’t wear down.
Yes they do. You're thinking ultex. Thats the one that last longer. I prefer the texture of tortex but ultext definitely stays sharper longer in the tip.
I think you need to hold the pick slightly different if you play a thinner pick. I actually prefer playing with thinner picks after getting stuck with a set of .07's. I Didn't like it at fist, the pick would fly out of my and a lot but I got used to it . Shredding is wayyy more comfortable to me now with a thinner pick. I think the trick is to not play it directly on the tip like a normal pick. I don't grip the fat part of the pick, i place my thumb towards the tip of the pick is the tip is barely protruding past my fingers. Thick picks feel slow to me now, I'm currently using a 1.0 and I feel like I can play anything with that size but I like the feel of the thinner picks when shredding
Yeah, it's a revelation when it all gets easier and faster all at once.
Try a Eric Johnson jazz 3 pick.
Thin picks are way too flimsy for me... I use Dunlop John Pettruci picks and love them..
Thin pick that made by metal material would do!
Did you know any Van Halen used 0.60 mm pics so yeah
A lot of people dont understand that you’re just teaching the optimal way to learn how to play the guitar faster and consistent with a proven method.
It's a stupid video because anybody that's concerned with shredding like that... is probably not gonna be struggling to realize the pros and cons of each size pick.
@@nickguzman1734 yep. There is no universal right or wrong pick for shredding. You got players like Jeff Loomis and John Petrucci who prefer thick picks, then players like Paul Gilbert, EVH, and Dave Mustaine who prefer thin picks. Whatever is comfortable and you can play cleanly with is the pick you should use 😀
No he's opinionated and just wrong. You can shred with a thin pick. It depends on your action, string gauge and tension ad well as your grip tip. We don't live in a damn vacuum. Hos argument is basically "I can't play with a thin pick so you can't either and here's my proof and my proof is you seeing me struggle shredding with a thin pick". He's a clown and no one should listen to him because you'll become just as narrow-minded and opinionated as him.
@@chrisking6695 Absolutely right, this guy thinks he's some world authority on guitar playing.
.7 is perfect imo
you turned albino at 1:49
Ha Ha Mike is so good it wouldnt matter if he played with a milk bottle top he would still sound brilliant
I use 3 mm dunlop
A sharper tip is more important than a thicker pick
Not for all styles.
It's horses for courses init!
and yet EVH also used a .60 pick and he wasn't very fast either... your a UA-cam guitarist and PG and EVH did what? Oh yeah!!! anyone know what satriani uses??? Mic drop
Saying because Paul Gilbert uses thin picks everyone should it's just stupid after all we are talking about Paul Gilbert one of the best guitarist around and not to mention he's been playing since he was around 5 or 6 years old and give Paul Gilbert a piece of paper I'm convinced he would be able to shred up and down the neck, I can't play with thin picks I'm also not Paul Gilbert pick size depends on the individual what feels right for them and obviously what you play strumming thin picks are great shredding probably go with a thicker pick I use a 1.0 mm but that's me I'm not Paul Gilbert.
Small pick = fast phase
The Paul Gilbert picks are 1.0mm
The ones with his name on them, that get him paid. He was famous for using 0.6/0.5mm Tortex.
Love the way yo explain it but sounds like you are annoyed, idk 😅
All this guy is doing is proving the point that he's not a very adaptable guitar player
Those are not even 0.6 theyre actually 1.0mm😂
In large contrast how do you feel about stone picks?