PICKS

[Hal Loflin]

Help....I am having trouble holding on to my pick. This is not a problem when picking runs, just when strumming. I have tried the following: Large picks, medium size picks, small picks, holding it in the tip of my index finger with thumb flat, holding it with my index finger curled with my thumb laying flat across it, etc., etc. Anyone have any excercises or recommendations on how to keep it from slipping?

[John Flynn]

Many people recommend grip aids: sticky stuff, picks with "grips" on them, etc. I have tried most of them and do not care for any of them. I play fast and hard, with slick picks and a loose grip, and I don't have a problem. Also, I like the tone I get that way.

When you strum the strings, where can the pick go? The strings are pushing the pick back toward your hand, so it can't go forward. Your index finger is keeping it from going backwards. If you are hitting the stings squarely with the pick, there is no force acting on the pick point to make go side to side. It is my belief that pick grip problems are caused by not hitting the strings squarely, digging the pick too deeply and/or gripping the pick too tightly. Not hitting squarely puts side to side torque on the pick. Digging adds leverage to that torque. Gripping too tight prevents the pick from pivoting up and down as you strum down and up respectively, which also adds leverage to the torque.

As Mike Compton said in his workshop, the pick should "brush" across the strings, like a fiddle bow. It should not "bang" the strings. I think the grip aid stuff may only mask poor technique and keep it from being corrected.

[ira]

i have found three things re: technique to be really helpful:
1. holding the pointy end in my thumb and bent index finger grip, and using the wider corners against the string.
2. holding the pick at a slight angle to the strings rather than straight. which has allowed:
3. as johhny says- attacking the strings at the surface and brushing rather than going to deep. i am actually able to get better sound with a more forceful attack by doing this.

just my 2
ira

ps- i have also started using a new pick- peavy startex which has some indents on one side allowing for a better grip- but that is only part of the solution. when i go to my old picking technique though slippage is less than with other picks, it still happens.

[mandroid]

I add texture , sandpaper off the polish on the middle of the pick, as one technique.
Acuumulated oil from skin pores makes washing my pick and my hands a useful combination.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[John Bertotti]

From a new persons point of view. I have noticed the above post is absolutely correct. If the pick isn't hitting squarely it will slip or rotate. I have taken to holding loser and holding on the back edge. I also find I like the tone better if I hold the pick so it extends about 3/16 to 1/4 inch below my thumb and finger and so that the front edge, the edge closest to fret board of the instrument, is perpendicular to the strings. What I mean is I actually hold the back edge so front edge of the pick, sticks straight out from the instrument. I use a triangular AXL heavy pick. I will be trying to modify this pick so that it's side are more parallel with each other. Ie. not triangular, oblong. FWIW John #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[dasspunk]

Spit! Yes, spit. I lick my finger a bit before I grab my pick. This has always worked for me regardless of pick. I'm currently using a Clayton Ultem Triangle (Dorito).

[danb]

holding the pick (http://www.celticmusic.com/dan/technique.html)

[Igor The Cat]

use a "Dawg" pick, it wont fall out while playing atleast for me