How Do You Hold A Pick?, Pictures welcome Options

[Ayen]

I was wondering how everyone here holds their picks. I hold mine in my own way, but that might not be the best for speed. Could anyone show me a different way to hold it?

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[buttmonk]

Hi all,

Any thoughts on pick size? I use a normal size dunlop pick and have done since I started out. Back then I also tried 1 of those tiny little picks like Kris uses (and we know what they say about guys with tiny little picks:) [joke, hehe] ), anyways, I found when strumming chords and things I could not keep hold of it (it kept rotating round in my hand) which is why I switched to the bigger pick.

Now that I think about it, I reckon this is cos I am striking too hard and digging the pick in too much, and too much power probably means too much tension in the muscles which is bad for speed etc. Sometime when I am playing and not really thinking about it I notice that my hand frees up a bit with lighter pick strike and the notes come out a bit more fluidly, of course at the expense of some attack. I was thinking of changing to a little pick and forcing myself to be learn to use it, which means I will need to strike softer. Anyone think this is good idea? Are there any shredders out that with heavy pick strikes?

Now I'm holding the pick same way as before, but with my other three fingers tucked in and not touching anything, and my palm placed on the bridge, usually muting one or more strings, using my wrist to pick. I find this is really good as I can pick fast while at the same time muting strings, plus the picking motion is about the same for all 6 strings.

So is this technique widely considered to be good for speed and fluidity? Any downsides to this technique? At least when I try it it feels like it has the potential to be better since there is less tension caused by having several fingers out straight...but it did not really feel right (that would take time)..

Cheers,

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This post has been edited by buttmonk: Sep 6 2007, 02:18 AM