[kristallin]

I've been having a huge issue with pick holding technique lately, that is that I don't seem to have a firm hold on the pick, it's rotating around when playing and usually ends up half way inside my palm instead of peeking out between index and thumb, where it's supposed to me - or I drop it within seconds of playing. This is of course leading to cramping and overcompensating, and now my thumb fucking hurts. Can you guys recommend exercises to help strengthen the grip on the pick, or is this a matter of using the wrong kind of pick? I'm using the Dunlop nylon .73mm picks, pretty standard affair I'd think.

I had until recently thought I had overcome it, until I actually had a closer look at my picking hand and noticed I was playing with the nail on my index finger...

[Randy]

Scoring it might help...?

[Tech] Pick Scoring

I've had the same problem, and it was just a matter of balancing how hard I hit the strings vs. how hard I'm "squeezing"

Another thing to consider is using larger picks, like the ones Devin Townsend plays with, which have a suitable attacking end on all three edges.

He discusses it at 1:57 in here:
YouTube - Devin Townsend Gear Demo Part 2

[Jan]

I used to slash my pick all over so that I could keep hold of it with my sweaty (and I REALLY mean SWEATY) hands and still had the same problem as you. I still do ocasionally but I've learned that losing grip is more the case of technique rather than modding the pick. The latter obviously helps, but the former is much more important. Try to find a grip that is comfortable and stable and try to keep it while practising. If the pick moves in your hand, stop and find that grip you figured was good again. DON'T get tense, don't sqeeze too hard, take it nice and easy. Use your right hand consciously. FOCUS. Take time, even if that means going back to the basics. And DON'T GET FRUSTRATED! That has really helped me and now I am able to play at rehearsals without dropping the pick or suddenly finding myself picking single-note death metal riffs with the side instead of the tip of the pick, no matter if I'm using a modded or an ordinary smooth pick. At gigs I can still get carried away and lose the correct grip though. But I guess it's a matter of time. So to sum up, scratching/sticking stuff to your pick CERTAINLY helps a lot but still I guess it's a technical issue. In some guitar magazine I once read a guy claim that every guitar layer has to go through this awful stage just like everyone has to experience acne at adolescence. I kinda second that claim... Sorry if what I said sounds trivial or obvious.

This is my solution;

I go down to the local skatestore and ask them for sheets of grip tape, then I just tape that to the pick and I have grip from hell.

[zimbloth]

Use the Dunlop Gator Grips. Problem solved.

[Crucified]

Dunlop

i use these and they are my favorite. the black ones in 1.0

[Michael]

I used to have the same problem. Gator grips are good. I've been using Ibanez sand grip picks for a while now and my grip is a lot firmer now. I'd check those out aswell as the Gator grips.

[kristallin]

Originally Posted by Crucified

Dunlop

i use these and they are my favorite. the black ones in 1.0

Those are the ones I use, the .73 ones. I'll give the Gator Grips a shot, since I'll be more likely to find those around my parts than the Ibanez Sand Grips.

Jan, I'll take your tips to heart, I feel I need to reexamine some of my technique anyway, I'll combine it with focusing on the pick technique.

[stubhead]

I'd hesitate to say it's all technique, but - it's all technique.... a lot of really great, and sweaty, and greasy, guitarists use plain old Fender, Dunlop, even slippery delrin picks.... I did notice in the new Guitar Player magazine that John McLaughlin seems to be using Dunlop Jazz IIIXL's, the big ones. Is the tip knocking it out of your hand by catching in the strings, or is it more a cramping/angle problem?

The best way out is to hit the store or mohomods on Ebay and just try a lot of different ones. What you're now using is a really light pick, compared to what most technically-oriented guitarists use, especially in that flexy nylon. I find it easier to hold onto a harder pick, and get more volume variation. Try Dunlop .88mm and 1.0mm Gators or Tortex, and a Dunlop Jazz II and III, and IIIXL, maybe. The III's are really pointy and might tend to turn on you, the II's are a little rounder. The little ones actually turn less, it seems?

Another point - great guitarists drop their picks a lot, too - that's why they have them taped all over the place. It can't really hurt to blow $25 or $30 on picks on Ebay, you'll lose 'em all eventually... goddam cats.... Also, if your hands get really dry in the winter or from washing dishes or something any kind of moisture helps, even like a little hand cream or oil from the side of your noise or something (Chet Atkins' anti-squeak juice secret). Your nose is always right there....

[darren]

At my band's last show, i dropped 3 or 4 picks. I think it was because i was trying out some very heavy ultex 1.0 and 1.14 picks as well as the ultex Jazz IIIs.

Last night i played a whole show with one red Jazz II. I think the pointy tip of the Jazz III causes issues for me because i'm mostly a rhythm player and that sharp tip seems to catch on the strings and if the angle and speed are just right, it bounces right off. The smoother Jazz II tip seems to work better for me. If only they were available in Ultex.