Weird Picking Technique, Thumb index middle Options

[mwells109]

Hi guys. Here's my problem....I have been playing guitar for about seven years now and have never been able to get a real answer to this question: I use three fingers to hold the pick (jazz III) thumb middle and index and what I want to know is.....is it possible to shred this way or should I switch to using the more traditional thumb + index technique?????? Is there anyone out there who has had this problem before????? Thanks.

[DeepRoots]

Welcome to the site

Good question, which i could answer as- why not?!

If it works for you do it, i've seen all kinds of weird ways to hold picks, but each player claims it works for them.

Id play with 3 fingers like you do when i started out. It worked for me then. Now i'm a little more mainstream and go for the thumb + side of index finger, because it just works perfectly for me.

Give a few different pick positions a try, don't discard them striaght away- try to get familiar with it. After trying out a few different approaches i'm sure you'll have a favourite. If you're unhappy with how you hold your pick- change it - now, you don't wanna be fussing around with an uncomfortable pick stance when you get to some decent speeds.

And another thing- speed asid- is tone. The angle you use your pick at will affect your tone slightly. I found that the pick helf with 3 fingers was almost parallel to the strings, and it definitely sounded "different" (can't say anymore than different as it was a while back) than to the tone my pick produces at the angle i now hold it.

Experiment!

[RandomVictim]

I was watching a video with Paul Gilbert and he said he used to speed pick with 3 fingers and it worked pretty well speed wise for him, but he switched because he felt it didnt give him the best tone. My advice would be what ever feels good to you, sounds best,and feels comfortable do it.

[Oxac]

Check out Bruce Kulick, I believe he picks with thumb index and middle.

[kjutte]

Hi guys. Here's my problem....I have been playing guitar for about seven years now and have never been able to get a real answer to this question: I use three fingers to hold the pick (jazz III) thumb middle and index and what I want to know is.....is it possible to shred this way or should I switch to using the more traditional thumb + index technique?????? Is there anyone out there who has had this problem before????? Thanks.

everything is possible, but thumb+index is preferable. I sometimes shred with both of those ways, but I really prefer I+T.

[Eat-Sleep-andJam]

Doenst matter. Steve Morse uses your way I believe. Cant argue with his technique ?


No one yells at Marty Friedman for his hand postion on the bridge ?

Do what works for you .

You might find out that whats been working for 7 seven years, doesnt work for you after you try something else. So just experiment

[Praetorian]

I'm still a new player, but I would say if it works for you than keep doing it! I am sure somewhere in Jimi Hendrix's early days, someone told him he NEEDS to get a real left handed guitar instead of an upside down right hander. Good thing he never listened!

[UncleSkillet]

Eddie Van Halen picks like this. Then when he needs to do a two hand tap run he uses the index finger and hold the pick with the other 2 fingers.

If it feels comfortable too you then do it.

[Déjà vu]

I use to hold the pick the same way (as well as my guitar teacher). I thought I was supposed to hold it like a pencil, or pen. Then my teacher told me to try it w/ my thumb and curled up index finger. I noticed most of my motion started to come from my wrist and even fingers, instead of my whole arm.

It's really up to your preference. If Steve Morse can do it, so can you . But, from my experience there are a few different ways to hold your pick that will make your technique a lot easier and more relaxed (doesn't seem as it will at first though). Also, it's a good thing to focus on the tone you like. Do you prefer the "Fanning" type sound that comes from direct contact with the string? Or, do you prefer the "Brushing" aggressive sound (like Paul Gilbert)?

[Ivan Milenkovic]

I think there's no worries mate, if you feel comfortable that way - then carry on. IMO if all the people were holding the pick with index-thumb-middle they would eventually learned how to play one way or another.

[Marcus Siepen]

As long as you are fine with your way of holding the pick I don't see a problem. There is no right or wrong way of holding picks, just check some of the videos here on GMC and you will see that for example David Walliman holds his pick completely different compared to I hold mine, but still his way works very well for him, while mine is fine for me.

[JVM]

Its true what everyone's saying about if it works for you. But I used to pick the same way you do, and I noticed that since switching to the side of my index and the thumb, I've had more control and more speed. So you might try it. I never pick the other way any more, it used to be more comfortable but I don't see a reason to now.

[Unleash-The-Shre...]

Like everyone else has said, it shouldn't be a big deal, if it works for you then it works, but if you find a more comfortable way then use that way.