How do you hold the pick when strumming?

[sync]

I hold the pick the same for picking and strumming. I just started lessons and my teacher uses the long edge of the pick for strumming. I'm interested in how you guys hold the pick for strumming.

[c7sus]

I use the round edge for picking and strumming.

[Aaron Cheney]

I hold my pick the same way for picking and strumming.

I always tell my students to hold their pick thusly:

stick out your right hand and position it as if you are pulling the trigger on a gun.

lay the pick on the side of your index finger, with the pointy tip of the pick sticking out over your index fingernail. Then put your thumb on it.

And then I ask them where you hold a pencil when you're writing - by the tip or by the eraser? Of course they say "by the tip". When I ask why, they say "because you have more control". Then I say, hold your pick the same way, close to the edge your picking with.

That's a good staring point for beginners. As you develop you may find you prefer another way. I know EVH holds his pick between his thumb and middle finger. SRV had a reputation for picking w/ the stubby end of the pick.

A
www.aaroncheney.com

[Dyson Steel]

I vary the angle of my pick. Parallel with the strings when strumming gets volumn, 3 to 15 degree angle to the strings (as if kicking the back (bridge side) of the pick up or down slightly gets a smooth sound.

Another words if you are looking straight at the sound hole, and you hold the pick on any string looking at it straight on (the pick will look like a small line), tilt the bridge side up or down.

With this technique when you record with a mic near the body you do not get a "plick","plick",plick", noise when struming but a smooth sound.

Now I know Aaron teaches and this may not be correct but it works well to get rid of the pick noise when recording with a open mic.


Just my $.02 worth.


D

[napalm229]

It depends on the type of sound that you are looking for when you are strumming....

For a smooth sound, I absolutely agree with the above posts.....also consider using a nylon pick....they are a little softer.

For a more percussive attack, I use a heavier pick...usually something like a Dunlop .88 to a 1.25....but be aware that using a 1.25 can be hell on your strings if you play hard. It can also slow you down a little until you get used to it. But choke up on the pick, only allowing the very end to protrude. You can also vary this to adjust the sound, a tight grip on the pick will allow you to tighten up your sound.

Also, if playing on an acoustic, like the other guys have mentioned before...the placement of the pick over the hole is also important. Near the hole is going to give you the most often desired sound...closer to the neck will help soften the tone. A neat thing I like to do is to play near the bridge....it produces a lot more of a "harp" like tone....try dragging the pick backwards over the strings near the bridge on your favorite chords. It's cool!

Ultimately try all of these techniques and then you will naturally gravitate towards the styles that work for you.

Good luck learning!!!