Best
Overall Guitar Pick
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Overall: Offers A Bright And Snappy Attack
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Best Feature: Has A Grip-Enhancing Surface For Playing With Total Control
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Budget Guitar Pick
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Overall: Long-Lasting And High Quality
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Best Feature: Made From Super-Robust Delrin
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best
Durability Guitar Pick
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Overall: Incredible Grip Delivered From A V-Shaped Cutout
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Best Feature: Has A Thick Design For Creating Classic, Rich Tones
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TedScore™: 8/10
Are you a beginner guitarist struggling to learn to use a guitar pick? Or maybe you’re an experienced player looking to improve your technique.
Whatever your skill level, using a guitar pick is essential to playing the guitar. And this is where our article on How To Use Guitar Picks Like A Pro can help.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about properly using a guitar pick. We’ll cover all the basics, from choosing the right pick to holding it correctly! Whether playing an electric or acoustic guitar, learning and mastering a guitar pick will take your playing and musical journey to the next level.
So, grab your guitar and pick to get started on this exciting guitar journey!
What is a Guitar Pick?
If you’re new to playing the guitar, you might wonder what a guitar pick is. A guitar pick, also known as a plectrum, is a small, thin tool that guitar players use to strum or pluck strings of their instrument. It’s typically made of materials like plastic, felt, or metal.
The pick allows for more precise playing and produces a brighter, crisper sound than just your bare fingers can. It’s a versatile tool that can adapt to different genres and styles of music.
Benefits of Using Guitar Picks
Using a guitar pick offers several advantages, including increased accuracy, volume, and versatility. A pick allows for more precise picking and strumming, improving accuracy and a louder, more consistent sound.
Additionally, a pick can help reduce strain on your hands and fingers and prevent injury. With different types of picks available, you can experiment to find the one that best suits your playing style and desired sound.
Regardless of your skill level, using a guitar pick can be a valuable and fantastic tool for improving your guitar playing and achieving your musical goals.
Different Types of
Guitar Picks
Flat Picks
Flat picks are the most common type of guitar pick. They’re flat, triangular-shaped, and come in various sizes and thicknesses. The material used for flat picks can vary from plastic to metal, wood, or stone. The thickness of the pick will affect the tone and volume produced. Thicker picks have a louder, more defined sound, while thinner picks are more flexible and create a softer sound.
Flat picks are versatile and can be used for various playing styles, including strumming and hybrid picking. They are also suitable for playing different genres, such as rock, blues, and country.
Thumb Picks
Thumb picks are a unique type of guitar pick worn on the thumb. They’re commonly used by fingerstyle guitarists who want to achieve a more percussive sound. Thumb picks come in different sizes and materials; some are adjustable to fit different thumb sizes.
Thumb picks are ideal for playing bass notes and strumming chords simultaneously. They can also be used for playing intricate melodies and arpeggios. When using a thumb pick, it’s important to position the pick correctly to achieve the desired sound.
How to Choose Your Guitar Pick
Choosing the right guitar pick is essential to achieving the desired sound. The pick’s thickness, material, shape, and grip are all factors to consider.
Thin picks produce a brighter sound and are perfect for strumming, while thick picks produce a darker, heavier sound and are ideal for lead playing.
As for the size, medium-sized picks are versatile and work well for strumming guitar rhythms and lead playing. Different materials, such as plastic, nylon, celluloid, and metal, each have their own unique feel and sound.
The shape of the pick affects how it feels in your hand and strikes the sound hole in your guitar.
Some picks have textured or rough surfaces to help with a firm grip. Trying out different options is the best way to find the pick that works best for you.
So, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun!
Importance of Holding a Guitar Pick Properly
Holding a guitar pick correctly is crucial to producing a clean and crisp sound while playing the guitar. Proper technique can also make playing complex rhythms and faster pieces easier. Holding your pick correctly can give you better control over your strumming and picking to play guitar well, leading to a more consistent sound.
Additionally, it can help reduce fatigue and discomfort by preventing unnecessary strain on your hand and wrist.
How you hold your pick can also affect the tone of individual notes on your guitar. Practising and perfecting your technique can produce a brighter and more vibrant tone.
Steps for Using a Guitar Pick When Playing
Using a guitar pick can be tricky at first, but it can become second nature with practice. Here are some steps to follow to help you get started:
Hold the pick correctly by sliding it between your thumb and the middle of your index finger. Keep a relaxed grip on your pick with the pointed end sticking away from your hand. Find a grip that works for you and emphasizes control, tone, and comfort.
Position your picking hand on the guitar’s body, with your wrist slightly above the strings. This will give you more control over the pick’s movement and help you strum or pick the strings more efficiently.
Start slow: Begin by practising simple strumming patterns, starting with downstrokes only. Once you feel comfortable with downstrokes, try adding upstrokes to your strumming pattern.
Practice alternate picking: Alternate picking is when you pick the strings in a back-and-forth motion, using both downstrokes and upstrokes. This technique can help you play faster and more accurately.
Experiment with different pick thicknesses: Different pick thicknesses can produce different sounds. Try using thinner picks for lighter and thicker for heavier strumming or picking.
What Not to Do When Using a Guitar Pick
When it comes to using a guitar pick, there are a few things you should avoid doing if you want to achieve the best sound possible.
First and foremost, don’t hold the pick too tightly. This can cause unnecessary tension in your hand and wrist, leading to fatigue and discomfort.
Of course, also don’t hold the pick too loosely, as this can cause it to slip out of your hand and affect your playing.
Another mistake to avoid is using the wrong part of the pick. Ensure you use the pointed end to strike the strings rather than the rounded edge.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different string picks and techniques until you find what works best for you.
The Best Guitar Picks We Recommend
DESIGNED FOR: guitars in all genres
FEATURES: Has a grip-enhancing matte surface for playing with total control
OTHER INFO: Offers a bright and snappy attack
Dunlop 0.73mm Tortex Standard Pick
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Made from durable Delrin for countless use in performance
- The best-selling Tortex pick line from industry giants, Jim Dunlop
- Its matte finish is useful for players who tend to sweat or have trouble holding onto picks
- Some users may find it too thin or flexible for their playing style
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: all types of guitars
FEATURES: With lightweight celluloid design to let you play riffs faster than ever
OTHER INFO: Has a stylish shell finish to make you stand out from the crowd
Fender F Grip 351 Picks
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Adds a well-balanced treble tone to your overall resonance
- Enhances your live performance with ultimate precision
- Allows you to play faster, upbeat songs with complete ease
- Some users reported that the picks are too thick and don't provide enough grip
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: producing classic and heavy tones
FEATURES: Incredible grip delivered from a V-shaped cutout
OTHER INFO: Has a thick design for creating classic, rich tones
Dunlop Kirk Hammett Custom Jazz III Picks
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Offers incredible speed, precision, and control for an enhanced playing
- Can handle any performance
- Makes you feel like a rockstar, courtesy of Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Dunlop
- May not be suitable for players who have difficulty handling smaller picks
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: professional and advanced guitar players
FEATURES: Long-lasting and high quality
OTHER INFO: Made from super-robust Delrin
Ernie Ball Everlast 0.60mm Pick
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- With a medium-light, 0.60mm thickness for shimmering strummed chords
- Ergonomic and responsive
- The perfect pick that gives you the control you need
- May be too thin or flexible for some users' preferred playing styles
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: all types of guitar
FEATURES: Made from a super sturdy nylon material
OTHER INFO: Offers a crisp, detailed tone and unrivalled articulation
Dunlop 0.60mm Nylon Standard Pick
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Has a moulded surface for a superior grip and precise performance
- With a pro-ready design to enhance your tone
- Robust and reliable nylon pick
- Created with world-renowned Dunlop quality
- Lacks the necessary weight and grip for heavier playing styles
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
How To Use Guitar Picks
Summary
Using a guitar pick can be a great way to improve your speed and accuracy while playing. It can also help you achieve a brighter, more defined sound. However, it’s important to remember that using a pick isn’t the only correct way to play the guitar.
Some guitarists prefer using their fingers, while others combine both. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Whether you decide to use a pick or not, the most important thing is to have fun when you play the guitar and enjoy making music.
So go ahead and grab your guitar pick, practice strumming out a few chords, play riffs, and let the music flow! Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep playing and never give up on your dreams of becoming a great guitarist!
But hang on – if you’re interested in how to use a pick, you might be interested in reading our article Best Guitar Picks For Beginners.
