Using a Guitar Pick (Plectrum)

How to Hold a Guitar Pick: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Today, we’re tackling a fundamental skill: how to properly hold a guitar pick. Getting this right early on makes strumming smoother and more comfortable. Let’s dive in!

Finding Your Grip: The Basics

Holding a pick is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps:

1. Relax Your Strumming Hand: Take your dominant hand (the one you’ll use for strumming) and let your fingers relax and curl naturally, like you’re gently letting go.
2. Thumb Meets Index: Bring the pad of your thumb together with the side of your index finger, near the first joint. Think of making a loose circle or teardrop shape.
3. Place the Pick: Now, take your guitar pick. Slide it between your thumb and index finger.
4. Positioning is Key: The pointy part of the pick should stick out sideways, roughly perpendicular to your thumb. It rests securely between the pad of your thumb and the side of your index finger.

Take a moment: Jiggle it around slightly. Adjust your grip – maybe make the loop your fingers create a bit wider, or close your hand more. The goal is to find what feels secure and comfortable for you. There’s no single “perfect” grip, but this method is a great starting point for most beginners.

(Optional Grip Note: Some players like to extend their other three fingers straight out while holding the pick. Others keep them loosely curled in. Try both, but often the most relaxed and efficient way is the simple, loose fist described above.)

Adjusting How Much Pick Sticks Out

You’ll notice you can slide the pick further in or out. How much should be showing?

• Too Much Pick Showing: If too much of the pick is sticking out, you might feel like you’re losing control when you strum, or the pick might even feel like it could fall out.
• Not Enough Pick Showing: If the pick is tucked in too much, your thumb and finger might rub against the strings as you strum, which doesn’t feel or sound great.

Experiment! Find that sweet spot where you feel in control, and only the pick itself is consistently making contact with the strings.

The Strumming Motion: Think “Paintbrush”

Now that you’re holding the pick, let’s try a basic strumming motion.

• Imagine a Paintbrush: Think of your pick as a paintbrush and the guitar strings as your canvas.
• Gentle Brushing: Gently brush the pick down across the strings, then back up.
• Angle Adjustment: Notice how you’ll naturally (or should consciously) angle the pick slightly differently for the downstroke versus the upstroke. This helps achieve a smoother sound and prevents the pick from getting caught.
• Keep it Light: Be gentle! We’re just getting the feel for it. Don’t worry about what chords you’re playing or even if it sounds “good” right now. Focus purely on the feel of the pick gliding across the strings.

Choosing the Right Guitar Pick for Beginners

Walking into a music store or looking online reveals a huge variety of picks! What should you choose?

• Variety is Good: Picks come in different thicknesses, sizes, and materials.
• Thickness Matters:
  
  • Thin Picks: Generally recommended for beginner strumming, especially on acoustic guitars. They glide easily and produce a lighter, often brighter sound. I often recommend the Dunlop .50mm pick (it’s usually red) as a great starting point.
  • Thicker Picks: Offer more control and volume, often preferred for playing single notes (lead guitar) or for a heavier strumming sound. (The green Tortex pick I’m holding in the video is a bit thicker).
• Size Matters: Pick size (standard, jazz, teardrop, etc.) is largely personal preference. Try different sizes to see what feels most comfortable and secure in your hand.
• How to Experiment:
  
  1. Visit a Music Store: Ask the staff for beginner recommendations. You can often buy individual picks for very little cost (around 50 cents each) to try several types.
  2. Buy a Variety Pack: Many brands sell packs containing a range of different pick thicknesses and sometimes sizes. This is an excellent way to experiment at home.

Your Goal: During this course, try out different picks if you can. See how a thin pick feels compared to a medium or thick one. You’ll start to develop a preference.

Your Practice Task

For now, focus entirely on comfort and control with holding the pick. Spend some time just gently strumming down and up across the open strings.

• Adjust your grip.
• Adjust how much pick is sticking out.
• Focus on that light, “paintbrush” motion.

Don’t worry about speed or perfect sound yet. Just get comfortable holding that pick!

Keep practicing, and I’ll see you in the next lesson!