Author Topic: pcking technique/style? (Read 11490 times)

sambo · « **on:** February 27, 2006, 09:25:50 PM »

ok so ive recently discovered that the way i hold a pic really affects my playing. so heres a cr@ppy diagram with the two main methods ive come across: anyone got any others?

in the one on the left- the thumb is at a right angle to the index finger- the index finger is a bit too u-shaped however but you get the idea. this is the method my teacher uses.

in the one on the right, the angle between the thumb and index finger is shallower. also the gap between the two 'shafts' of the thumb and index finger as it were, (not the finger-TIPS where the pic is actually held) is bigger and more circular than in the diagram on the left. basically, in the one on the right, its like your a diving instructor making that "A-O.K" kind of sign- nick you should know what i mean! :P and in the one on the left the thumb is flatter and pressed against the finger much more.

dunno if anyone can actually understand this lol...

anyway anyone have a preference or any other way?

Dakine · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:29:30 PM »

Yep
I hold it so it don't fall out too often :P and is comfortable.

Sam, you analyse too much.
STOP writing and GO PLAY GUITAR!
:lol:

sambo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:30:32 PM »

haha!!!! lol analysis is good! i think its cause my brain is too mathematically/technically orientated... i struggle to just 'do'- i have to think about it first.

Dakine · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:32:14 PM »

Thinking about it too much can make it "strained" and less spontaneous. Actually, thinking about "it" too much can make ya blind LOL

sambo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:33:02 PM »

hahaah!!! :lol:

Dakine · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:37:21 PM »

BTW, EVH and cpl. others hold the pick with thumb and first two fingers. And then at times with thumb and middle finger leaving index finger able to pluck strings.
There is No right or wrong way.
Just technique, being comfortable and playing :)
Alternate picking IS however a needed tool, much more so than how the pick is actually held :P

sambo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:41:50 PM »

really? i didnt know they did that... could be interesting to look into..

i suck at alternate picking- only recently started getting anywhere near a decent technique of it.

Elliot · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:06:32 PM »

gripping the pick really close to the tip is one of my favourite techniques for cool tone.

While we are on this subject, get into acoustic fingerstyle, go and see an old master like Davey Graham or some classical genius like John Williams and you will understand that the right hand is more important than the left for the production of tone.

sambo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:07:51 PM »

yer holding the pick closer to the tip is cool. might have to check out some of those acoustic peeps you mentioned.

Dakine · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:13:09 PM »

I remember a Prince's Trust Concert at Knebworth on TV once.
At the end they came back onstage one by one.
When Clapton came on he had all the backing singers/chicks hanging round him.
Then Mark Knopfler came on and started playing with all 5 fingers on his right hand. You could see the women look at him, jaws dropping, then Clapton was ABANDONED post haste and they clung to Mark LOL.

Elliot · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:13:20 PM »

Well Davey Graham's The Complete Guitarist is just awesome - he did the Irish fiddle thing (which is like shred in the acoustic world) long before everyone else and is still the master.

You do have to like the diddly diddly irish thing though.

Dakine · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:15:55 PM »

Try ALL sorts Sam.
I still use my fingers as well as pick at times (my teacher thinks I am crazy/odd at this point lol, but encourages me).
It's a hangup from playing bass for years. I never really used a pick with bass. Could use all my right hand fingers and play faster than with a pick and got great tone to boot.
Dunno think I can play "slap" style with the guitars to well though LOL

indysmith · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:23:56 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

BTW, EVH and cpl. others hold the pick with thumb and first two fingers. And then at times with thumb and middle finger leaving index finger able to pluck strings.

I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME THAT DID THIS. i feel somewhat reassured now...this is how i hold a pen aswell, haha

sambo · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:29:26 PM »

lol when you say you use your fingers- you mean you actually use it like a bassist does or like you finger-pick eric clapton tears in heaven style? im gonna check out that diddly diddly thing lol- sounds wicked.

and indy.... YOU FREAK! its so weird how people hold pens like that lol...

Guitarzan · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2006, 02:15:29 AM »

I hold my pic with my thumb at a right angle, I don't know why.

I have a good video of Eddie's picking style on my Myspace.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=46415945
He holds the pick with his thumb and middle finger, you get a really good view of it in the vid. Plus he somehow gets it to sit in between the joints on his middle finger when he does his tap solo.

Just my $.02