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Posted by: Praetorian Apr 5 2010, 02:48 PM

I use Dava control picks with sharp tips, and I love them for lead playing. But when I am playing a song with chords or power chords, I have a very hard time. The strings seems to be pushed by the pick. Am I using the wrong technique? Do you use thinner, more flexible picks for strumming?

Posted by: relaxenjoy Apr 5 2010, 03:04 PM

I don't think you're the only person with this problem.

It definitely takes a bit of a knack if you're not used to it.

I find when I played with really thick picks I would loosen my grip a bit which gave a bit more give like a thinner pick.

Now I use .88 size picks which for me are the perfect balance between strumming and picking.

I use the George Dennis Sharp picks which also have a pointed tip like you described.

I have a few Dava picks as well and I prefer the George Dennis ones to them.

Posted by: jafomatic Apr 5 2010, 03:11 PM

This is interesting and you MIGHT be the only guy with this problem if we amend that statement to read "The only guy using dava control picks to have this problem."

Here's why: the dava control picks are designed to be flexible when it's time to strum but it IS up to the user to shift the grip so that the joint in the pick can flex. If you're covering the hinged area of the pick with your thumb and forefinger then you're not really allowing that pick to offer you its feature.

With regular heavy picks, you also need somewhat of a "variable" grip. I strum with a 2.75 v-pick just fine, but it takes some getting used to. Play with the pick angle and depth, some experimentation should find you an angle of attack and "insertion" that allows for perfectly smooth strumming even with a giant pick.

DISCLAIMED: This is true of the big picks that are properly beveled, the dava picks are NOT beveled, but they are hinged.

Posted by: ZakkWylde Apr 5 2010, 03:16 PM

It's all in the grip: Grip the pick tight and firmly when playing leads, picking hard, shred, etc. and grip it lightly so that it can move between your fingers when strumming

Posted by: Joruus Apr 5 2010, 05:04 PM

I only started doing real chord playing last month (mtp) and had the same problem at first,
but after some getting used to it i don't really see any problem using a thick pick for it anymore
I think i let the point stick further out of my fingers then with lead playing for it.
I'm using my V-Pick Dimension for everything and its Huge

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Apr 5 2010, 05:41 PM

QUOTE (ZakkWylde @ Apr 5 2010, 09:16 AM)

QUOTE (Joruus @ Apr 5 2010, 11:04 AM)

I only started doing real chord playing last month (mtp) and had the same problem at first,
but after some getting used to it i don't really see any problem using a thick pick for it anymore
I think i let the point stick further out of my fingers then with lead playing for it.
I'm using my V-Pick Dimension for everything and its Huge

Posted by: Fran Apr 5 2010, 10:15 PM

QUOTE (ZakkWylde @ Apr 5 2010, 04:16 PM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 6 2010, 02:29 AM

Some great replies per usual. I agree with some of the others who've suggested changing the grip on the pick slightly to play chords. You can let more of the pick extend from your fingers when chording, you might choke up on the pick and let less of it stick out when you are playing lead. You need a bit more plastic available to strum properly. If you are playing two string power chords, you can use almost the same grip as when playing lead. But a big full G chord needs more pick.

Todd

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 11 2010, 11:53 PM

I changed to 1.14 pick because I play both rhythm & solo. You can find a balance for you, or you can vary the grip on the pick. Bare in mind that strumming chords with hard pick produces completely different sound. Some may prefer, I don't.

Posted by: Xose Pineda Apr 12 2010, 05:38 AM

As some pals stated above, mind the AoA of the pick... At first I was changing between picks sizes like a crazy guy, 'till I realize it's actually about how you hold the pick and the angle of attack. So, imho, it's all about how do you adapt to the pick more than the pick itself.

Cheers!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Apr 12 2010, 11:49 AM

Jafomatic wrote you an explanation in relation to the articular pick you are using. Generally its all in the grip and often when playing chords you have to loosen it a bit in order to let the pick breath/flex when strumming. Experiments with different grips and angles of attack to see what works for you better.

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Apr 12 2010, 04:05 PM

As Bogdan said, you should experiment with some different angles and variations of attack when strumming. If it keeps beeing annoying to your playing, change to another pick.