Neil,
I'm an intermediate palyer who has always held my pick incorrectly! I switched to holding my pick just the way you describe in your lessons, but I'm having trouble maintaining a good grip.When I strum fast on songs like "Down On The Corner" the pick just rolls between my fingers, or slides out of my grip. I started with a Fender medium pick. Then I tried a Dunlop .88mm max-grip pick and a Snarling Dogs .88mm pick (both have special surfaces that are supposed to be easier to hold on to) - but that hasn't helped. Should I try a thinner or thicker pick? Or could you recommend a pick that is easier to hold.
Thanks,
Harold Sand
Choosing the right flat pick
Hey Harold. Neil is unlikely to answer personally, only because he tends to leave these things for the community and he is extremely time poor. I hope you don't mind me having a shot at answering your question, some others will no doubt chime in also.
I think you are doing everything right. The maxi-grip picks are about as good as it gets. I don't think a thicker or thinner pick will do anything to help your grip.
Good grip technique like everything else comes in time. You mentioned you have always previously help the pick wrong so give yourself some time to get used to the correct grip.
Good luck!
I think you are doing everything right. The maxi-grip picks are about as good as it gets. I don't think a thicker or thinner pick will do anything to help your grip.
Good grip technique like everything else comes in time. You mentioned you have always previously help the pick wrong so give yourself some time to get used to the correct grip.
Good luck!
Hi Harold!! Big welcome to the program from the Left Coast in Oregon. We're glad to have you with us. You've got a great start on an introduction and if we could ask you to pop over to the Please Introduce Yourself thread and tell us a little more about yourself. Where you live, what kind of music you are in to, where you hope to go by joining the TARGET program., that kind of thing We are a very close knit community and always getting to know each other. I've made so many great friends on this site it's amazing!
As far as picks go, it's a little like asking what kind of deodorent do you wear- it's really a personal choice. Personally, I use one of the picks you tried, the Jim Dunlop Maxi-grip .88. Best pick I've ever used.
Like you, I'm guilty of holding the pick like an electric guitarist, pinched by my index fingertip and thumb. I'm very gradually trying to convert to Neil's method. My problem isn't with my grip it's with my accuracy. With Neil's method, my accuracy sucks.
I suspect your problem isn't with what type of pick you use but how you hold it and how much pressure you use. I think you may just have to experiment until it feels right.
Maybe someone on this site has a better idea for you.
Again, welcome to the program and don't stay a stranger on the forum. It's pretty cool interaction!
Good luck and happy playin'!!! :cheer:
As far as picks go, it's a little like asking what kind of deodorent do you wear- it's really a personal choice. Personally, I use one of the picks you tried, the Jim Dunlop Maxi-grip .88. Best pick I've ever used.
Like you, I'm guilty of holding the pick like an electric guitarist, pinched by my index fingertip and thumb. I'm very gradually trying to convert to Neil's method. My problem isn't with my grip it's with my accuracy. With Neil's method, my accuracy sucks.
I suspect your problem isn't with what type of pick you use but how you hold it and how much pressure you use. I think you may just have to experiment until it feels right.
Maybe someone on this site has a better idea for you.
Again, welcome to the program and don't stay a stranger on the forum. It's pretty cool interaction!
Good luck and happy playin'!!! :cheer: