Help with Slipping Pick

[MSGrady20]

So... I have been playing a mandolin for a little over a year now and I am still having problems with my pick sliding all around my finger tips. To give you an example sometimes my pick will move to where the tip is barely protruding from the tips of my thumb and index finger, so the end result is the tips of my fingers will start hitting the strings. Another is example is the pick will twist around to where the pointed part is turned sideways and the I am picking with the rounded side. Anyone have this issue and find a solution to the problem? Thanks!

[Marc Ferry]

There are two things that could be causing this problem:

1. The way you hold your pick. Try curling your index finger so that you have more total skin in contact with the pick. This will reduce slippage.

2. The pick you have. Experiment with different picks. Some picks have grippy substances in the middle that would definitely stop slipping.

Hope this helps!

[Bruce Cech]

I drilled three 1/8" holes in my pick as a test. Two holes at the wide edge of the pick opposite the point and one at the point. They are about 1/8" in from the edge. Did this a couple of months ago and I haven't had a problem with the pick slipping or dropping the pick since.

[EdSherry]

I use textured picks (Wegen, Jim Dunlop) which helps prevent that problem. Drilling holes in the pick also helps. Some folks swear by a rosin product called "Gorilla Snot."

[SincereCorgi]

This is sort of gross, but I think it helps to handle a bunch of PA and microphone cables first, and then not wash your hand.

[PaulBills]

or superglue...

[MikeEdgerton]

Gorilla Snot, really.

[PaulBills]

lol well it saves them flinging it at visitors to the zoo, i suppose...

[MikeEdgerton]

In countries south of the US this is sold as a hair care product as well. Again, I'm serious.

[Pasha Alden]

You may need to change the way you are holding your pick.

I must say in one of my performances the other day I found that I could not hold onto my mandolin or pick, reason it was very cold and my hands were numb. By holding my mandolin I mean that as I sat playing, my mandolin kept slipping off my lap, further and further away, that made me tense somewhat in the left hand during playing. My pick also almost went flying. Numb hands and quilted jackets a hazard when playing!

Hope you get the perfect hold on that pick.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Use a tiny piece of ordinary Blue-Tack & squeeze it flat on the thumb side of the pick & it will help a lot. There are some new Dunlop picks out named 'Primetone'. Not only are they a terrific pick,but one variety has a raised logo in the middle which is really rough & gives a very good gripping surface,
Ivan

[UsuallyPickin]

Ok...... Slipping pick ..... make sure that your pick is clean ..... facial oils and foreign matters get on a pick and they get slick ...an alcohol wipe is good for this and you can keep a couple in your case.... don't try to hold the pick too tightly ... if you don't drop the pick or have it slip around a bit you are clutching it too tightly ...this causes all kinds of problems both short and long term ...... lots of different picks with different solutions , literally and figuratively , to help with this problem... a Wegan with holes works well ... Blue Chip picks have a good cling factor due the funky Kevlar that they are fashioned from ...... natural Tortoise shell dose also .... thicker picks are easier to hang on to than their thinner brothers too .... a larger rounded tri corner pick has three playing corners so you are never far from a playing point when they do slip ....... Luck .. R/

[Phil Goodson]

So... I have been playing a mandolin for a little over a year now and I am still having problems with my pick sliding all around my finger tips. To give you an example sometimes my pick will move to where the tip is barely protruding from the tips of my thumb and index finger, so the end result is the tips of my fingers will start hitting the strings. ....

Better to use a grip that doesn't have the pick coming from the TIPS of the fingers.
Search for 'Compton grip' and you'll find some pictures and suggestions.


New Dunlop pick suggestion above is also a good idea.

[Mark Wilson]

Better to use a grip that doesn't have the pick coming from the TIPS of the fingers.

Yep. I like the rhythm stroke tone I get from that grip but the pick has a mind of it's own holding it that way.

Are there any renown mandolin players who use(d) a fingertip type grip?

[PaulBills]

In countries south of the US this is sold as a hair care product as well. Again, I'm serious.

Y'know, I'm sure it is here too...

[mtndan]

I was just thinking about posting this question too. It is a real problem for me, especially when playing chords and rhythm. My pick tends to migrate towards my fingertips, or my knuckles start dragging on the strings.

Would drilling a pick affect tone? I have a blue chip as well as pro plecs.

Thanks!

[MikeEdgerton]

Would drilling a pick affect tone?

Depends on where you drill it. Towards the edge lets the high notes escape, towards the middle emphasizes the bass notes.

Actually, no.

[BJ O'Day]

Bottling gorilla snot,... that's a tough job.

Bj

[fatt-dad]

get a rock of violin rosin. Scratch up some dust. Drag your pick-holding fingers in the dust. Play away!

f-d

[PaulBills]

Bottling gorilla snot,... that's a tough job.

Bj

The hardest part is finding a Gorilla with a cold

[Pete Martin]

Used to happen to me all the time. I read an article where guitarist David Bromberg said it happened to him for a couple of years, then it "just stopped". Same thing happened for me.

Keep playing and you will get it.

[fatt-dad]

no kiddin' rosin dust works. My guitar teacher, Mr. John Cephas (RIP) gave me that tip for keeping finger picks on the fingertips.

Some stuff I may make up, but this is a tip that actually works and it's cheap and easy to keep in your case.

f-d

[MSGrady20]

I took one of my Ultex picks to work today and drilled a 4 holes (diamond shape in the middle). I was super excited to get home today so I could try it out. When I got home after work I went straight for my MT and starting digging in my pockets for my newly modified pick. After 45-60 seconds of some serious digging, I realized it must have fell out of my pocket at some point today when I was pulling items out of my pocket. Looks like I am going to start over tomorrow.

[PaulBills]

I took one of my Ultex picks to work today and drilled a 4 holes (diamond shape in the middle). I was super excited to get home today so I could try it out. When I got home after work I went straight for my MT and starting digging in my pockets for my newly modified pick. After 45-60 seconds of some serious digging, I realized it must have fell out of my pocket at some point today when I was pulling items out of my pocket. Looks like I am going to start over tomorrow.

Aw don'tcha just hate that! I went and left my Dunlop Stubby at the folk night I was at on tuesday....coulda sworn I put it in my gig bag...

[Wiggles]

I was having this problem mainly with the spinning pick issue with the Golden Gate picks. Believe it or not, I got a BlueChip CT 55 earlier this week and the issue has stopped completely.