How To Hold A Guitar Pick & How to Choose One (Guitar Basics - Lesson 5)

A pick (aka plectrum) is used to get the brightest and best sound from a guitar, especially in Pop and Rock music.

Should I use a pick or just use my Thumb/ fingers?

Some beginners are very reluctant to use a pick. However, ESPECIALLY in the early days, I really recommend persisting no matter how many times it spins around in your hand or how often you drop it. It is simply the easiest way to get the best sound from your guitar for most pop and rock styles. Once you have a solid foundation of chords and rhythm, you can always learn folk ‘finger style’ playing at a later date (just like I did!)

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[DashQChannel]

As a beginner I recommend 0.38 or 0.46 they really improved my playing and it I'm picking things up quicker with them they are Jim Dunlop nylon as well

[morganv]

I’ve always just used my fingers my entire life. I began with ukulele when I was just a kid and so I never learned how to use a pick.

[RealDapperDude]

Finally, a close up of the pick, the placement, and where it points when it's held. Bravo, Mate. Mahalo nui loa (as they say in the Sandwich Islands).

[NealB]

I've been playing the guitar for 40 years and I still fight with the pick the first time I pick one up each day. You'd think by now it would be completely natural holding a pick but it isn't. I always have to fiddle with it for a minute or two to find the right hold position.

[parouuu]

I bought the Dunlop .73 Nylon picks, gonna try it asap as I get home :D

[williamcallas]

Just me who caught the 'I've never licked these picks' when he was referring to the plastic ones? Haha

[arsenmarek]

I purchased some Dunlop grip picks, they are a clear improvment from my random brand ones.
Thanks for the advice, I would certainly recommend them. 0.76 or 0.88 are fine for me.

[terryadams]

Ive been playin acoustic for 20+- years a & always held the pick with 2 fingers. Been trying to use just 1 finger, but it is work!

[sleepyx]

Do you recommend the maxgrip 0.73 also for electric guitar? Or a thicker pick or different material?

[swarachauhan]

Is a 0.46 mm pick okay for a beginner?

[DebraBakerls]

been playing guitar for like a solid 8 years and I've never figured out how to use picks. Fingers were a little sore today as I'm a fan of smashing my string rather aggressively so I thought I'd figure out how lol.

[louismanman]

I've been playing for 12 years since I was a kid, but it's always been classical /acoustic fingerstyle type stuff. Does anyone have any advice or videos they know of to help me to get used to playing with a pick?

[marcsameh]

I use a Classic D'Addario USA pick and its size is.70! Is it good for a steel-string guitar or it will break it?
And I really love your channel, THANKS!

[narcefr]

For me the problem with this grip is that it makes playing chords (especially upstroke) very hard :( Anyone with the same issue?

[P_p_Br]

I played on ukulele first, so do I still need to use a pick first.

[justinvzu]

im left handed, and im using a right handed guitar, its hard to find left handed ones, and this guitar doesnt have a plate for picks to not damage the guitar.

[baharer]

I just can't stop watching your videos and I do feel comfortable with your teaching rather than many Others besides I really like you speaking British which is my favorite... Thanks a lot

[MashaT]

How do you know when it’s time to replace a pick?

[pratiksinha]

I just discovered holding the pic with three fingers really compromises your speed...it's difficult getting used to playing with two fingers..let's see how it goes

[hillbillyhomeboy]

I never used a pick in my life until I started getting into electric guitar.