holding a pick

1234,

I think there are several ways for one to hold a pick.  Of course the conventional (most popular) is to hold it between your thumb and index finger.  I know some musicians who don't use a pick at all, and some use slip-on picks on their fingers. 

Using a pick helps create a more crisp sound when played.  This is more suitable when you're playing an acoustic guitar (if you don't fingerpick.)  For electric, I'm not sure if it matters.  Unless you're planning to do some lead or blues guitar work. 

These are just my own opinions.  Others may have different perspective.

Nonetheless, play often and make music!

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>12345abcd3 wrote on Fri, 30 March 2007 16&#58;48</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
hi

i always held a pick with my thumb on one side and my first and second fingers on the other side but i recently read that your supposed to only have your first finger on the other side to the thumb. this certainly seems easier when picking songs like good riddance(green day) but i prefer strumming the other way. should i try and get used to strumming with just first finger and thumb? and will it make a difference to my strumming sound?

thanks

12345abcd3
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Why do you say it's all garbage?  Just because you're not conventional or feel differently does not give you the right to call other people's comment garbage!  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_eek.gif" border=0 alt="Shocked"> 

If you read my comments, I did mention that there is not a set rule when it comes to using a pick!  I know many musician friends who don't like to use a pick.  And, that is their choice!  I also mentioned the slip-on picks, similar to what you said below.  Is that also garbage?  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_redface.gif" border=0 alt="Embarassed">   

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>bigdjindustriez wrote on Fri, 30 March 2007 21&#58;12</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Ah it's all garbage.  Don't let anyone tell you how to hold a pick, hold it however it feels comfortable to you (as long as it works in that position)  Or you can get one of those "thumb/flat picks" which are made by "Herco Corporation"  They look like a regular flat pick, with a loop like a thumbpick, and are farrr less rigid than a conventional thumbpick.  Do what you feel! peace
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I tend to agree with you. It doesn't matter to me if you hold the thing with your toes as long as you can play with it. Hold it any way you want and let your guitar playing justify it.  You should never assume that one way is the only apropriate way. Try different things and keep what works and trash what doesn't.

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?"

No.

danspr

Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel
Jimi Hendrix
danspr