Hold the guitar pick between your thumb and index finger. Hold it firmly enough that you can use it to strike the strings, but not so strong that your movements are stiff. Let the pick rub the strings, but don't try to "scoop" the strings. Choose the pick size that's right for you, practice proper hand positioning on the guitar and strumming and strumming techniques so you can produce a clear sound.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Holding a Pick
Step 1. Hold the pick in the hand that will sound the strings
Most people enjoy shuffling and strumming the guitar with their dominant hand, while playing specific notes and chords with their non-dominant hand. Hold the guitar, interact with it, and find a way of gripping that feels comfortable.
- Place your non-dominant fingering hand along the neck of the guitar, with your thumb on the back and your other fingers on the strings. The guitar strings should be facing away from you, perpendicular to the floor. The rest of the guitar body should be stacked on your knees, or slung over the shoulder straps while you play standing.
- Rest your arms on top of the guitar on its curved edges along the narrowest part of your body, and swing your arms around the strings. If you are using an acoustic guitar, place your finger on the guitar on the hold; if you are using an electric guitar, place your finger on the guitar, between the last fret and the pickup bar.
Step 2. Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger
Cover about half of the pick with your fingers. Some picks are shaped with indentations that indicate the location of the thumb and index finger. Grip firmly but limp enough for the tip of the pick to bend. Do not hold it too slowly or the pick may fall off and float.
Step 3. Find a gripping method that works for you
There's no "right" or "wrong" way of holding a pick, but there are certain grips that emphasize control, tone, and comfort. Consider the "O" method, the "pinch" method, as well as the "fist" method.
- Use the "O" method. Hold the pick between the pads of your thumb and the sides of your index finger, and shape both fingers to make an "O" shape. This grip balances the control and tone of the guitar.
- Use the "pinch" method. Hold the pick between the pads of your thumb and index finger. This method is best suited for those who like thin picks and spend most of their time shuffling guitar strings.
- Use the "fist" method. Hold the pick between the first joint of the thumb (under the pad) and the bent side of the index finger, near the first joint. This method is usually chosen by bluegrass musicians, and is best suited for heavy picks.
Step 4. Rotate your wrist so that it points toward the guitar
The blunt end of the pick should rest on the string, then the long end should be perpendicular to the string. The angle of your wrist is important in this process: when you play the guitar, you won't be strumming the strings with your fingers, but your wrist. Move your wrist up and down to shuffle the strings and play riffs and solos.
Step 5. Shake the guitar strings, don't sound by scooping them out
Use a pick to scrub the surface of the strings: not so lightly that the sound is low, but not so rough that the pick gets stuck on the strings. Rub vigorously but gently. Try to adjust to the guitar instead of trying to force your will.
- Move with flexibility, don't grip the pick too hard. You have to move flexibly and flexibly. If you're too stiff, the sound will sound harsh and unrhythmic.
- When strumming the guitar, you can keep your wrists stiff when you rub the pick over the strings. In the end, the finger-and-wrist technique is just a tool that allows you to play fluidly. When you find a method that feels comfortable, practice that method.
Method 2 of 3: Techniques Using Pick
Step 1. Hit the guitar with limp wrists and elbows
The shuffle produces the full sound of several strings that form an integral part of most guitar rhythms. Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger. Place the tip of the pick over the top, thickest string (usually an E). Rub the tip of this pick all over the strings, from thickest to thinnest, and make sure you hit them all. Beat quickly to bring the guitar notes together, and slowly to bring out each note. Shake lightly for quieter keys, and shake harder for louder sounds.
- You can shuffle in an up-down motion (thin high-pitched strings to thick low-pitched strings) or down-up (thick low-pitched strings to thin high-pitched strings). You can sound all parts of the string (for example, second to fourth string, or G string to open E string) to get the effect you want.
- Try holding down a few strings to form the necessary chord as you shuffle. The guitar shuffle is a versatile part of guitar playing. The more you get used to it, the clearer the sound you'll get. Make sure you hold the strings firmly as you press the notes and chords. Don't be discouraged if the keys you press don't produce clear sound. Develop finger strength and keep practicing.
- Again: thinner picks usually produce a softer, quieter sound, while thicker picks generally produce a louder, more real sound.
Step 2. Strum the guitar
Sometimes, you may just want to play one guitar string, whether you're playing a simple melody or just wanting to emphasize a certain note from a longer chord. Place the tip of the pick on the guitar in a shuffled position, but this time, sound only the strings you need. Sound with a pick, then immediately pull the pick away from the neck of the guitar so you don't accidentally hit the other strings.
- You can hold the chord with your non-dominant hand on the neck of the guitar, then play a note, or several notes in succession, from the chord. Try to maintain key "shapes" when transitioning between shuffles and strums so you don't have to dramatically change the position of your non-dominant hand.
- Strumming the guitar will produce a clearer tone. You can't get the same volume or "weight" as a strum on an acoustic guitar, when compared to an electric instrument. Use quotes to mark the breaks between your whisks.
Step 3. Alternate up and down movements to develop speed, precision, and accuracy
As with the shuffling technique, you can strum the guitar up or down. Try to do it flexibly: pluck down, shuffle up, shuffle down, strum up. Play guitar efficiently. It takes more time to shuffle the string down twice than it takes you to hit the string down and then straight up (because you have to go back to the top before).
Method 3 of 3: Picking Pick
Step 1. Choose the pick that matches the sound you want
Most pick brands are sold by thickness: labeled "thin", "medium", or "thick", accompanied by measurements in millimeters. Plastic guitar picks are usually available in sizes from 0.4mm to 3mm. Try starting with a medium pick, one that is between 0.6 and 0.8 mm thick.
- Pick thin usually has a thickness of 0.4-0.6 mm. This pick is best suited for acoustic guitar shuffles, and other situations where the treble is emphasized. Thin picks are often used to fill rhythm and mid-range parts in rock, pop, and country music; however, this pick is less heavy for use on rhythm and lead guitars in rock music.
- The medium pick has a thickness of 0.6-0.8 mm. This level of thickness is the most popular pick choice: it combines effective stiffness and flexibility to play acoustic rhythm parts and powerful leads. The medium pick isn't great for a powerful whisk or strong lead role, but it's still versatile.
- Heavy picks (any pick thicker than 0.8 mm) produce a louder sound. Here, you'll still get enough flexibility to play rhythm guitar with a crisp sound, but also the strength needed to play full chord arpeggios and vibrant lead parts. Picks with a thickness of more than 1.5 mm will produce a clearer, melancholy, and warm sound. The guitar sound will be fuller with heavier and thicker picks, measuring 1.5-3 mm. Picks like this are commonly used by metal and jazz guitarists.
Step 2. Consider the ingredients
Most cheap guitar picks are made of plastic, and will fit perfectly when you're trying to learn the basics of guitar playing. You don't have to worry about the edges of the pick peeling off; just replace the pick.
- You may also be able to use metal or rubber picks that are heavier, and designed for training purposes or specific playing styles. Consider using a metal pick for a higher sound, or a rubber pick for a heavier, thicker sound.
- If you're not sure, try a few pick styles before making your choice. You can find guitar picks at music stores, music culture boutiques, and online. Try your friends pick and pay attention to the thickness, brand and material. Decide what's right for you: the pick is a personal choice.
Step 3. Use special picks for specific instruments
Banjo players don't use traditional guitar picks, but use picks tucked into their fingertips to strum the banjo (as opposed to strumming the strings with just their bare fingers). If you want to use one, consider visiting a banjo engineering site or asking an instrument store. Generally, this finger pick is tucked in the tips of the index, middle, and ring fingers. It is shaped like a sharp nail and curves inward from the pad of your finger to past your fingernail.
Step 4. Consider learning how to play the guitar with your bare fingers
Many guitarists find it easier to use plastic picks at first, as the fingertips will thicken or become rough if you use them to strike the guitar strings. However, this finger-strumming technique can increase the distance and speed when you play complex melodies.
- If you try to play with the pick and then switch to the bare finger method, it may take you a few weeks to months to get used to. Consider starting with your finger if you think you'll be switching options at a later date.
- Use the pads of your fingers to sound the strings up (high to low strings) and your fingernails to sound the strings down (low to high strings). Use a few fingers to shuffle the strings for a fuller guitar sound.
- Practice, practice and practice. If you are committed to learning to use the bare finger technique, don't "cheat" and use a plastic pick. Take every opportunity to practice your technique. Play the riffs and songs slowly and build your speed gradually.
- Once you're faster and used to strumming with your bare fingers, try playing two, or even three, strings at once. Use your fingers to develop complex melodies.
Tips
- Do not use the middle finger because it will only hinder the smooth sound of the strings. Guitar picks are designed to be held with the thumb and forefinger.
- Don't cover the pick too much with your fingers. Leave some space on the surface so you can sound the strings without flying the pick. If you cover it too much, you won't be able to sound the strings properly, and your fingers may get caught.
