[WildWayz]

Hi guys

I have been playing guitar on and off for the last urm 15 years and I recently started lessons again after a break of about 4 years.

Anyway, my new teacher picked up on the fact that the way I hold my pick isnt the 'correct' way of doing it.

I tend to hold it with the tip of my thumb and index finger with the point of the pick pointing towards the tip of my finger.

He said that I should hold it with my index finger curled around the back of my thumb with the pick point 90 degrees from the bottom of my thumb.

Is this the 'correct way'?

Does anyone have any photos of how they hold it?

Ta!

James

[Pirelli]

The way your teacher is recommending is standard in my opinion, although I don't claim to be an expert.

If the way you're holding it works for you, don't change just for the sake of changing, but if you're having difficulty with some things, experimenting with different ways of holding the pick can't be bad.

Check out this short Paul Gilbert clip, he explains it pretty well, and it's always easier to see it performed rather than described.

YouTube - paul gilbert fast licks and teaches pick angle

Sorry, I'm not sure how to embed it, maybe someone else can help me out there.

[WildWayz]

Thanks! Will check that out tonight when I get home

This is how you embed it:
(if HTML is enabled)

ooops looks like the forum is blocking HTML on the forums

[JJ Rodriguez]

I imagine the way you were holding it might put some strain on your wrists if you were playing fast. If it worked for 15 years for you, and you didn't have any pains or other problems with your wrists, then there's no real point in changing, unless you find the "standard" more comfortable and easier to play with.

[nitelightboy]

The way your teacher told you is the "standard" way of holding it. However, as with anything guitar related, it's all about personal preference. If it works for you and doesn't negativelt impact your playing, then go for it. The way you hold your pic worked for you for a long time, so why change it now?

[WildWayz]

Thanks guys. I think I will keep on with the 'new' way - it did feel comfortable after a short while and it does make playing a bit more natural...

Thanks again

[Mikey D]

A really interesting article on pick holding can be read here. By Jazz guitarist Tuck Andress:

Picking Questions

[distressed_romeo]

iBreatheMusic.com - 99 Ways To Pick by Eric Vandenberg

Here's another article that might be useful. Not as comprehensive as the Tuck Andress article (which is the most comprehensive breakdown of picking technique I've ever seen), but still some good info.

[TheMissing]

You should pick however you feel most comfortable.

My friend holds his picks with THREE fingers and he has no trouble playing.

...He also plays Nu-Metal which I don't suppose you need any proper technique to play, but he can speed pick and jump strings with no problem at all.

The point is he's comfortable.

[MetalSir]

Originally Posted by Pirelli

(..)
If the way you're holding it works for you, don't change just for the sake of changing, but if you're having difficulty with some things, experimenting with different ways of holding the pick can't be bad.(..)

i think the same.. i mind that what all the great guitarrist says on them istructional vids is: "hold the picks whatever you want. just 2 conditions: it must be confortable for you and it must works right"

=)