Talk about your picks/picking technique

[VH4_BigRig]

Hey guys, I've been thinking about my picking technique lately, and I'm beginning to wonder if I may have to spend a lot of time trying to re-work how I play...

I've been using Jazz IIIs for a while now, and I love these picks because of their point, and the fact that they are a bit smaller- whenever I use regular picks, I choke up on the pick and half of it isn't used anyway. As you can see in the picture, I hold it with my thumb, index, and middle finders, with just a bit of the tip sticking out.

Now, the thing that I've been struggling with lately is working up my picking speed. I was trying to learn a Jeff Loomis lick from his last shred DVD, and was having a real tough time working up to his speed. I then realized that it might be the fact that 95% of the time, I attack the strings hard, at an angle, rather than straight on (the fact that he's insane doesn't help either ). As soon as I "flattened" out and lightened my pick attack, I started getting somewhere. However, this was super tough for me, because I'm used to hitting 'em hard and pinching a lot.

So this brought up some questions that I wanted to ask you guys:
a) What type of pick do you use (brand/thickness/point)?
b) How do you hold your pick? I've seen people use their thumb and index, then curl the pinky and ring while sticking out the middle finger, or just use the thumb and index and fan out the other 3. What's your style?
c) When you're playing fast licks, how do you attack the strings?
d) Have you ever had to seriously re-evaluate how you play? What happened, and what helped you adapt your technique?

 

[jonny toetags]

I use Cool Picks and my fingers shoot out like Lynch (sometimes i anchor the pinky)....not good technique, but it works for me

 

[sebby123]

a) What type of pick do you use (brand/thickness/point)?
Jazz III RED! not black. they feel different to me...
b) How do you hold your pick? I've seen people use their thumb and index, then curl the pinky and ring while sticking out the middle finger, or just use the thumb and index and fan out the other 3. What's your style?
Thumb and Index and fan out the three i use them for classical style/hybrid picking.
c) When you're playing fast licks, how do you attack the strings?
I use kind of a slight small circular motion with my index and thum when crossing strings, Ive noticed other players do this bonamassa would be one.
d) Have you ever had to seriously re-evaluate how you play? What happened, and what helped you adapt your technique?
Yes, when i used to use Dunlop tortex i notced that my nail on my index finger was picking 50% and the pick the other 50% which would end up in grinding the left side of the nail on my index finger. It still kind of happens but switching to jazz III's helped alot and also relaxing alot in my playing helped!

 

[stratotone]

I just do whatever works... sometimes pick and fingers... here's a clip of me goofing around:

and the questions...

a) currently using a stiff stainless steel pick - if not, I like heavy gauge regular shape picks
b) I just use a 'whatever works' thing... usually keep my fingers tucked in on the pick hand unless I'm tapping
c) depends on what I'm wanting to do... usually a pretty hard attack, but smooth
d) There's a part around 2:20 on the video above where I'm using economy picking to go between the strings. That's about the biggest change I ever made - going from strict alternate picking to economy when it works better.

 

[muudrock]

So this brought up some questions that I wanted to ask you guys:
a) What type of pick do you use (brand/thickness/point)?
b) How do you hold your pick? I've seen people use their thumb and index, then curl the pinky and ring while sticking out the middle finger, or just use the thumb and index and fan out the other 3. What's your style?
c) When you're playing fast licks, how do you attack the strings?
d) Have you ever had to seriously re-evaluate how you play? What happened, and what helped you adapt your technique?

a)Use good old Fender Xtra heavy now. Used to use the red Jazz IIIs but went back to the regular style picks because I feel like their more dynamic and can vary the attack more.

b)Thumb and index. Middle and ring finger curled slightly and pinky as an anchor on the guitar.

c)I constantly work on keeping a light touch on fast licks. I tend to "bounce" the pick in an out somewhat. I like the mello pick sound on that technique as opposed to the up,down of normal alternate picking. Of course the in and out technique is harder to do at a really fast speed, which lead me to the answer in d.

d)Re-evaluted many times. Used to practice alternate picking alot. Came to realization that it has it's place, but it tends to sound to clinical too me. Moved to a more mixed style using cross picking and incorporating the other 3 free fingers on the picking hand. I also made a concerted effort to learn legato techniques. All of this opened up a lot of avenues and keeps me out of ruts. If something just isn't working, I'll focus on using a different picking style to shake things up.

 

[Joeytpg]

I use two types of picks

my main pick is a Dunlop Delrin .71mm, which I use for almost everything

When I play metal I go with the Satriani hard, both black and white

I'll order some Dunlop Delrin .60mm for my acoustic soon.

 

[bunghole]

preferred picks: dunlop tortex green, blue, or purple

picking technique: sloppy for how long I've been playing

 

[Lance-a-not]

a)1- Clayton Ultem, 1.20 worn down and ROUNDED off tip (I'll sand new ones)... I like the tone better rounded, a little brushy sounding

b)Thumb and index. Middle and ring finger curled slightly (relaxed) or resting on an unused string(s) to dampen/mute, pinky as an anchor/mute on the guitar.

c)I pick hard and soft, usually in the same lick, but always trying to be relaxed even when pickin hard, angled slightly

d)Re-evaluated sure, started off somewhat economy picking because I was self taught and thought it made more sense-
tried practicing alternate picking for a while when I went to AIM, I like others playing that way but tends to sound to clinical too me as well... Got away with cheating many times when teachers weren't looking (ha!)-

Went back to my own way because it achieved sounds that strict alternate couldn't do, I purposely hit lots of grace notes when playing that disappear when I alternate.... Works for me


I have seen tons of guys pick faster than me, and everyone of them picked different.
I had one friend who sounded very much like Ronnie LeTektro who had no arm or wrist movement, hardest picker I have ever jammed with...all came from index/thumb twitch
This guy (who I fooled too with faking alternate when we used to jam), mostly arm/wrist when playing fast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDRMf70 ... re=related
Another guy who picked very much like Gilbert... He had the most control of his TONE when picking and would vary his attack mid phrase constantly, ultimately probably where I got that part of my picking from... He would tell me "you'll never play fast if you don't alternate strictly" and that my playing was wrong

 

[IHateRap]

When my picking starts to get sloppy, I just isolate the picking hand. Using open strings (eliminate fretting distractions) I work the speed up slowly all the way to tremelo picking, which represents the fastest potential and most efficient way to hold the pick for fast playing. Basically, I take the way I hold the pick for tremelo picking and I use that particular hand placement and pick angle for slower speeds as well.

 

[Code001]

Before I answer, I'd like to mention that the best thing is to do what works for you. Just because you pick differently doesn't mean your technique is wrong. Jason Becker did insane sweeps with his pinky anchored. Mattias is ridiculous, and he holds his pick between his thumb and middle finger. Just looking at Marty Friedman's wrist is carpel tunnel inducing, but he doesn't seem to have any issues pulling off incredible solos.

A) Black Jazz III
B) Thumb and index
C) I angle the pick slightly, but I angle differently than most people.
D) No

 

[peaveyT60]

1) I use Dunlop Ultex 1.0, though sometimes those black ice 1.0. Used Dunlop Nylon .73 for years, then recently switched to Jazz IIIs, then onto the Ultex, where i now feel the most comfortable.

2) I hold the pick like this, except a bit tighter.

 

[Gainzilla]

So this brought up some questions that I wanted to ask you guys:
a) What type of pick do you use (brand/thickness/point)?

I used to Jazz III's and dug them until I tried these;

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PKAGJ-M.htm

Ralphie turned me on to them and I cant see ever using anything else again. If you place a Jazz III on top, its the same shape but the Cool pic is about 1mm bigger. I also like the positive feel of the sandpaper oval thats on them; they dont slip on me like Jazz III's used to.

b) How do you hold your pick? I've seen people use their thumb and index, then curl the pinky and ring while sticking out the middle finger, or just use the thumb and index and fan out the other 3. What's your style?

a variation of all of the above and I dont know why. Sometimes I have a specific finger pointing out, sometimes theyre all out ala Lynch and sometimes, theyre all tucked in and for the life of me, I cant seem to figure out why though when Im alt picking, one of the fingers is always anchored to the face of the guitar..

c) When you're playing fast licks, how do you attack the strings?

Alot softer than I used to think. I hit individual notes pretty hard and really dig in but on faster things, I seem to soften up quite a bit and I think its because if I dont relax, the fast stuff doesnt come out right. So the faster I play, the softer and more relaxed I get..

d) Have you ever had to seriously re-evaluate how you play? What happened, and what helped you adapt your technique?

I have and its helped and hurt. In some cases, I was successfully able to change something for the better and in other cases, it got me thinking about it too much and hurt..

Kage

 

[daveg62]

I really like these , they are all I will use now. Rubber grippy thing is great!

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=110971

 

[Gainiac]

So this brought up some questions that I wanted to ask you guys:
a) What type of pick do you use (brand/thickness/point)?

I used to Jazz III's and dug them until I tried these;

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PKAGJ-M.htm

Ralphie turned me on to them and I cant see ever using anything else again. If you place a Jazz III on top, its the same shape but the Cool pic is about 1mm bigger. I also like the positive feel of the sandpaper oval thats on them; they dont slip on me like Jazz III's used to.

b) How do you hold your pick? I've seen people use their thumb and index, then curl the pinky and ring while sticking out the middle finger, or just use the thumb and index and fan out the other 3. What's your style?

a variation of all of the above and I dont know why. Sometimes I have a specific finger pointing out, sometimes theyre all out ala Lynch and sometimes, theyre all tucked in and for the life of me, I cant seem to figure out why though when Im alt picking, one of the fingers is always anchored to the face of the guitar..

c) When you're playing fast licks, how do you attack the strings?

Alot softer than I used to think. I hit individual notes pretty hard and really dig in but on faster things, I seem to soften up quite a bit and I think its because if I dont relax, the fast stuff doesnt come out right. So the faster I play, the softer and more relaxed I get..

d) Have you ever had to seriously re-evaluate how you play? What happened, and what helped you adapt your technique?

I have and its helped and hurt. In some cases, I was successfully able to change something for the better and in other cases, it got me thinking about it too much and hurt..

Kage

Nice!! I never get cool pick credit...
Well, these are the picks im using lately.. increased my speed due to less surface area between string cleanings....

 

[tweed]

Screw all you NYHOM guys!!! I am so addicted to Heavy cool pics, if I don't have at least 2 fresh ones in my wallet at all times I have anxiety attacks!

 

[Gainzilla]

Nice!! I never get cool pick credit...
Well, these are the picks im using lately.. increased my speed due to less surface area between string cleanings....

Well Bro, Ralphie is the one who turned me on to them and you dont even use them!!!! However, you are the one that actually procurred them for us so You definitely deserver your share of credit, I aploogize and humbly bow before you and will walk 5 feet behind you without any direct eye contact next time that we muster...

 

[Digital Jams]

Stubbies, 2mm purple.


Somehow without trying I have fingers sprayed out during rhythm stuff and anchor with my palm on the bridge or on the body above it.

 

[Gainiac]

Nice!! I never get cool pick credit...
Well, these are the picks im using lately.. increased my speed due to less surface area between string cleanings....

Well Bro, Ralphie is the one who turned me on to them and you dont even use them!!!! However, you are the one that actually procurred them for us so You definitely deserver your share of credit, I aploogize and humbly bow before you and will walk 5 feet behind you without any direct eye contact next time that we muster...

I dont even use them??!? I DONT EVEN USE THEM!!??!? I've got em stockpiled and hidden all around the house like fkn Easter eggs, just in case, and I dont USE THEM??!?? Oooooooh.... you've got some nerve, Pal.... I'ts NOW 10 FEET BEHIND... NO EYE CONTACT.....

 

[Gainfreak]

Nice!! I never get cool pick credit...
Well, these are the picks im using lately.. increased my speed due to less surface area between string cleanings....

Well Bro, Ralphie is the one who turned me on to them and you dont even use them!!!! However, you are the one that actually procurred them for us so You definitely deserver your share of credit, I aploogize and humbly bow before you and will walk 5 feet behind you without any direct eye contact next time that we muster...

I dont even use them??!? I DONT EVEN USE THEM!!??!? I've got em stockpiled and hidden all around the house like fkn Easter eggs, just in case, and I dont USE THEM??!?? Oooooooh.... you've got some nerve, Pal.... I'ts NOW 10 FEET BEHIND... NO EYE CONTACT.....

I'll let it be known publicly, That i always give you credit for the cool pick find!!

There, that outta get me a few more picks thrown my way

 

[Gainzilla]

Nice!! I never get cool pick credit...
Well, these are the picks im using lately.. increased my speed due to less surface area between string cleanings....

Well Bro, Ralphie is the one who turned me on to them and you dont even use them!!!! However, you are the one that actually procurred them for us so You definitely deserver your share of credit, I aploogize and humbly bow before you and will walk 5 feet behind you without any direct eye contact next time that we muster...

I dont even use them??!? I DONT EVEN USE THEM!!??!? I've got em stockpiled and hidden all around the house like fkn Easter eggs, just in case, and I dont USE THEM??!?? Oooooooh.... you've got some nerve, Pal.... I'ts NOW 10 FEET BEHIND... NO EYE CONTACT.....

Bro, everytime that all of us are hangout pentoding( not doing that anymore are we?!?!?) Id pass the guitar over along with the pick and you never used the CP's. If you got em stockpiled, then share the damn wealth son, we're probably hanging Saturday so hook it up!!!!