Struggling With My Pick >:|

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Struggling With My Pick >:|

uv777 View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 02:51 PM
Dec 30 2008, 02:51 PM	GMC:er Posts: 4 Joined: 18-December 08	Hey everybody :-D I'm just about to learn how to hold the pick how it's recommended. The Problem is, that I've been playing "wrong" for like 10 years, and its really hard for me to switch :-S The reason why I decided to change my way of playing is, because I felt lack of control in my pick hand. --> I used to hold it like this: since I've changed I feel like I have more control, but I got a lot of other problems :-( So here are my problems: description to the pic 1. means the pick starts to drift away until it points to the same spot as my index finger. What can I do against it? 2. the pick somekind slides up my index finger. is that normal? other problems which I have: - My index finger starts to hurt and the pick seems to leave blue marks on my finger ^^ I dont think thats normal? - When I try to play chords, the edge of my index finger hits the strings :-S How can I avoid that? note: these Problems mostly show up when I try to play chords. Ooh and I also checked the videos where it explains how to hold the pick.. but I cant find any explanation for my problems there :-( Cheers Mike You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by uv777: Dec 30 2008, 02:52 PM

Oxac View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 03:44 PM
Dec 30 2008, 03:44 PM	GMC:er Posts: 693 Joined: 14-June 07 From: Sweden	I have some suggestions. Get a lighter and melt the pick slightly where you hold it, provides a nice grip. When you play chords, make sure that you don't angle the pick. Don't strum with your wrist, do it with your arm, preferably the elbow and not the shoulder. This should force you to play with the tip of the pick and I think it would eliminate the problem of playing with your fingers instead Regarding the pain.. try a different pick, try closing your fist instead of playing with it open, because you can use all of your fingers to "push" the pick against the thumb, which provides less tension I think. Hopes this helps some. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Olle "AJ" Svensson

Ivan Milenkovic View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 05:27 PM
Dec 30 2008, 05:27 PM	Instructor Posts: 25.396 Joined: 20-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	Regarding the problem with the pick moving in the hand: Make sure you do NOT keep your pick angled when playing chords. This will tend to move the pick as you described mate. Keep it at 90 degrees angle in relation to the strings. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE - Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons - (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel - Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)

opeth.db View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 07:28 PM
Dec 30 2008, 07:28 PM	Learning Apprentice Player Posts: 1.156 Joined: 11-September 08 From: Cleveland, Ohio	I had your problem too man. I developed a lot of bad habits. I went from Dunlop .60's pick to the JazzIII. What a difference. A much smaller pick which forces you to hold it a specific way. I switched about a month ago and still have problems getting used to it but its the best thing I did as far as control of what is being picked. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My Gear Ibanez RG570 Silver Jackson Ofset V Randy Rhodes Signature Mitchell Acoustic Custom Ibanez S series (Currently working on) X2 XDS95 Digital Wireless system Line 6 MKII 8 Channel USB Roland Mixer My Site www.shredwork.com Learn how to count. It's what separates the hack and the pros IMHO. -LCSDDS

Scott Gentzen View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 08:33 PM
Dec 30 2008, 08:33 PM	GMC:er Posts: 683 Joined: 16-January 07 From: Centreville, VA, USA	EVH holds his pick like the first pic, no? I use Jazz III's when I'm working on soling stuff. I switch to a .88mm Tortex pick when doing chords. Not sure how I'm going to resolve it when I have to switch in real-time. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: ESP Semi-Hollow Eclipse, 1984 Ibanez Roadstar RS440, Peavey T-60, Daisy Rock Rock Candy Custom Amps: Peavey Transformer 112, Epiphone Valve Jr head with custom 2x12 cab Pedals: Boss TU-2, Budda Bud-Wah, Chuck Collins Harmonic Percolator clone

jdriver View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 09:20 PM
Dec 30 2008, 09:20 PM	GMC:er Posts: 484 Joined: 25-May 08 From: Southwest USA	The pain is likely from squeezing too hard. You might want to try a fatter pick, like the V-pick medium rounded. They are acrylic and your grip actually gets better with moisture. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- "I dreamed a lot when I was younger.. I'm older now but still I hunger For some understanding. There's no understanding, now. Was there ever? ...Joe Puerta (Ambrosia)... Finally got a YouTube page going.

Vaialation1232 View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 09:32 PM
Dec 30 2008, 09:32 PM	Learning Rock Star Posts: 138 Joined: 23-December 08 From: Bay Area, CA	I would suggest the Jazz III pick for soloing as well because it provides grip (logos) and it is also small so you have to hold it one way pretty much...however if you are saying most of this is with chords i would just maybe try some other picks with grips (although the satch sigs are cool) and like ivan said you want it pointed down when playing chords or else you'll hit with your index as you described (as well as the sliding)....i don't necessarily believe in the whole "correct" way to hold the pick cause like stated EVH and other famous guitar players hold them in different ways...so just try different combinations and whatever feels right for you, do that You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Ramiro Delforte View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 09:46 PM
Dec 30 2008, 09:46 PM	Instructor Posts: 2.279 Joined: 4-August 08 From: Argentina, Buenos Aires	I agree with jdriver. You were used to hold the pick like Pat Metheny does, with three fingers and that gives you more stability. When you went for the "right" position you left out your middle finger and that gives you inestability and the unconcious way to compensate that is applying more strainght so, be careful not to put too much preasure. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my Instructor Profile and Board LIVE VIDEO CHATS EVERY MONDAY AROUND 22PM (GMC HOUR)

lcsdds View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 09:49 PM
Dec 30 2008, 09:49 PM	Learning Tone Seeker Posts: 2.054 Joined: 2-September 08	I agree that there is no right way or wrong way to hold the pick. Just pick what works for you. I tried the Jazz III and I couldn't get used to it. I use a 2mm big stubby and I love them!! Good luck and don't worry about right or wrong, find what works in your hands and go with it!! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Pedja Simovic View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 09:58 PM
Dec 30 2008, 09:58 PM	Instructor Posts: 8.109 Joined: 13-September 08 From: Nis, Serbia	I like 2mm picks Dunlop ones are great , give it a shoot maybe that will work better for you ! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My Video Lessons

Freddie Fourfing... Freddie Fourfingers View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 10:05 PM
Dec 30 2008, 10:05 PM	GMC:er Posts: 91 Joined: 11-November 07 From: Georgia, United States	If you wait long enough and read all the replies, eventually every possible way to hold a pick will be covered (and most of them will work for somebody). You might want to try choking up on the pick a bit; play with as little of it extending past your fingers as possible. Try some different textured picks, too. I think one of the keys is to play with just enough tension to sound the notes and relax; try to avoid accumulating tension as you play. Tension building up in the hand, which then moves up the arm to the shoulder, is one of the biggest problems to overcome, espescially when playing fast. Most of us will probably tell you to experiment and find what works for you. Try all different ways and be mindful of how it affects your speed, accuracy, tension, etc. Eventually you'll settle on what is effective for you. And try all different types of picks, too. I read that EVH uses a relativley light pick for his speed, too. Nothing is absolute. Good luck and most of all, Have Fun. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit." ARISTOTLE

enforcer View Member Profile	Dec 30 2008, 10:30 PM
Dec 30 2008, 10:30 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.202 Joined: 23-September 08 From: Istanbul	Well I always have the problem of pick getting wet and sliding off my hand so, I found a way to make it more rough here it is: What require is the pick and some kind of blade: You take the blade and scratch the pick as follows: Than the other way... I always use the pick as follows, this gives me more precision with the alternate picking runs. I always play using the whirst, I never use the arm because even if it gives you more strength, it takes away your precision... While strumming I relax my upper arm and elbow but I am still using my whirst. From top: And the bottom view: Hope this helps, many people here has different ways of playing and there is no right or wrong but there are always pros and cons that one particullar picking style carries... You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- incoming spoiler read it at your own risk! Spoiler: Vigier G.V Wood HH American Stratocaster Maple Standart with X2N bridge pickups Samwick Artist custom modified Baswood Lespaul with S.Duncan JB and N56 pickups Self made Fretless Strat type made of Rosewood/Maple with self wound Neck and Ibanez V8 Bridge Pickups Floor Pod 2.0 Amp Simulation System Pod Xt Pro Rack Amp Simulation System Digitech TSR 12 Rack Effect and Studio Reverb Behringer Composer Rack Compressor Expander Morley Bad Horsie Wah Pedal Behringer FB1010 Floor Board it, surely, spoiled me!!! and may the force be with you :)

coolzx View Member Profile	Jan 2 2009, 09:31 AM
Jan 2 2009, 09:31 AM	GMC:er Posts: 11 Joined: 27-December 08	thnx enforcer cause i have the same problem sweat finger T-T guess ill try and cut it like that to get a better grip . You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Velvet Roger View Member Profile	Jan 2 2009, 09:38 AM
Jan 2 2009, 09:38 AM	Learning Tone Seeker Posts: 2.093 Joined: 5-August 08 From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands	QUOTE (enforcer @ Dec 30 2008, 10:30 PM) Well I always have the problem of pick getting wet and sliding off my hand so, I found a way to make it more rough here it is: I did exactly the same all the time with my Dunlop picks as I suffered from exactly the same problem. Since I was convinced by a thread on this forum to try-out the V-Picks, I never ever looked back to other picks until now. I like the sound much more, it plays much smoother for me, and a very nice side-effect is that the material it is made from actually helps getting the pick to stick to the fingers once you play it a little while You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- "Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong." Guitars & Amps Brian Moore DC-1 Custom Shop (Cherry Sunburst, mahogany/rosewood) Eric Johnson Signature Strat (2-tone Sunburst, alder/maple) Ibanez RG770 (Black, basswood/rosewood) Peerless Journeyman (solid spruce/maple) Sixt Bov-105C (Ovation-like acoustic) - Ibanez SGT-130 (Jumbo acoustic) London City VS-1 (Precision bass) - Baton Rouge U3S (Ukelele) Fender HotRod Deluxe 40W combo - Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue 5W combo - Marshall JCM 900 50W Hi-Gain combo Effects & Other stuff POD Studio UX2 audio interface - Edirol MA-15D monitors EH Double Muff - Fulltone GT-500 - Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Mosfet - Guitarsystems TrebleTool Junior - Guitarsystems FuzzTool Junior Korg Pitchblack Tuner - MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay - TC Electronics Nova Modulator - Morley Bad Horsie 2 Wah Shure SM58 - Roland PCR-500 midi controller/keyboard & Yamaha Clavinova CL-910 piano My Website My MySpace Page My YouTube Channel My Twitter Account My Band 'Gonzo!'

audiopaal View Member Profile	Jan 2 2009, 10:27 AM
Jan 2 2009, 10:27 AM	Competitions Coordinator - Up the Irons Posts: 5.462 Joined: 17-February 08 From: Stavanger, Norway	I'm holding the pick almost the same as you do in the first pic, and it works fine for me at least You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by audiopaal: Jan 2 2009, 10:27 AM

enforcer View Member Profile	Jan 2 2009, 01:18 PM
Jan 2 2009, 01:18 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.202 Joined: 23-September 08 From: Istanbul	QUOTE (coolzx @ Jan 2 2009, 10:31 AM) thnx enforcer cause i have the same problem sweat finger T-T guess ill try and cut it like that to get a better grip . youre welcome man hope it works for you too... You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- incoming spoiler read it at your own risk! Spoiler: Vigier G.V Wood HH American Stratocaster Maple Standart with X2N bridge pickups Samwick Artist custom modified Baswood Lespaul with S.Duncan JB and N56 pickups Self made Fretless Strat type made of Rosewood/Maple with self wound Neck and Ibanez V8 Bridge Pickups Floor Pod 2.0 Amp Simulation System Pod Xt Pro Rack Amp Simulation System Digitech TSR 12 Rack Effect and Studio Reverb Behringer Composer Rack Compressor Expander Morley Bad Horsie Wah Pedal Behringer FB1010 Floor Board it, surely, spoiled me!!! and may the force be with you :)

uv777 View Member Profile	Jan 3 2009, 02:08 PM
Jan 3 2009, 02:08 PM	GMC:er Posts: 4 Joined: 18-December 08	hey everybody! Thanks for all the replies and help. Since I really dont feel confortable playing the "right" way, I think ill stay with my old playing style. But ill try to practice the other way too... but I wont force myself to play only that way, cause it's just too frustrating for me... it feels like im a total beginner again You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Marcus Siepen View Member Profile	Jan 3 2009, 05:13 PM
Jan 3 2009, 05:13 PM	Instructor (Blind Guardian) Posts: 3.433 Joined: 5-March 08 From: Germany	As some of the others already mentioned, there is no right or wrong way of holding a pick. As long as you have a good grip and control, just continue with whatever way you are holding your pick. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: various Gibson Les Pauls / Gibson J 45 Amps: Mesa Boogie Tripple Rectifier / Triaxis / 2:90 Poweramp / Rectocabs Effects: Rocktron Intellifex / Rocktron Xpression Homepage: www.marcussiepen.com www.blind-guardian.com Check out my video lessons!

Daniel Robinson View Member Profile	Jan 4 2009, 05:31 AM
Jan 4 2009, 05:31 AM	Instructor Posts: 560 Joined: 22-March 08 From: Normal, Illinois	I have always had a problem with the pick sliding around on me when playing alot of heavy rhythm's, mainly because i hold the pick like your showing but contact the strings upside down, like Herman Li does. Because of this i started using the Dunlop giant Stubbies for lead playing, they have a nice little divet in the middle of the pick so it doesnt rotate on me. I still havent figured out a way to pick like i do with rhythm without it spinning when i am trying to dig into chords using alternate picking, so to remedy this i always have a thumbpick handy for when i am doing alot of rhythm strumming. Using a thumbpick it is unable to rotate Daniel You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

FrankW View Member Profile	Jan 4 2009, 05:37 AM
Jan 4 2009, 05:37 AM	GMC:er Posts: 622 Joined: 29-April 08 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA, Pangea, Earth	If you hold the pick exactly as shown in the second picture while you're playing, it looks to me like too much of the pick is exposed. Choke up on the pick to where no more than 3/16 of an inch is exposed. You have better leverage and a better attack. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

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