Learn Guitar

Playing with a pick is the easiest way to get a reasonable sound out of your guitar, especially if you use steel strings.

Although strumming is possible using just your fingers there is no point in making life difficult for yourself. Some of the more advanced lessons on this site will deal with finger style guitar in detail.

Holding The Pick

The pick should be held lightly between the thumb and the first finger (index) as shown in the pictures below.The easiest way to find the correct way to hold a pick is to imagine it as an extension of your index finger’s nail.

Holding the pick lightly allows it greater flexibility to move up and down and to the left and right as your play. This slight movement gives you better striking action as you strum.

There are several common mistakes beginners make when holding the guitar pick. Nearly all of the mistakes result in the a loss of control when strumming and the pick falling out of your hand, either onto the ground or into the guitar sound hole.

Clenching The Fist

The first mistake is clenching your fist. Holding your pick with a clenched fist restricts the movement of your wrist and the finer movements from your finger tips as your play. Nearly all of your right hand movement will have to come from the movement of your elbow. As you can imagine the difference between moving your elbow to pick each and simply moving your fingers is very noticeable. The more elbow movement required the less precise and accurate your picking will be.

Holding the Pick With Your Finger Tips

This is a very common mistake among new guitarists. Instead of supporting the pick on the side of your index finger you hold it with the finger tip. Doing this will result in poor control when you are strumming.

There is one other thing you need to know about…

Sometimes you will see guitarists (even very good ones) holding the pick using two or even three fingers. Although there is nothing wrong with doing this I advise against it.

The reason is twofold.

First of all there is no advantage to using two fingers. Secondly when you start playing harmonics and tapping later on it is very useful to have that extra finger available.

Filed under: Learn Acoustic Guitar