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Learning Acoustic Guitar – How To Hold A Guitar Plectrum

It is a lot easier to get a good sound out of your guitar if you use a pick at first..

You could strum the strings with a thumb pick or your fingers, but this may be hard at first.

Here are 3 simple steps you can use right now to hold the pick more easily.

Don’t hold the pick between your fingertips

Another crucial mistake new guitarists make is holding the pick between their fingertips. Doing this makes you feel as if you have more control, especially when you start playing. They do this because it feels as if you have more control at first. Instead when you grip your pick try to keep it between between the edge of your thumb and the rim of your index finger. If you grip your guitar pick between the tip of your finger and your thumb you will probably drop it because you have very little grip.

Try To Hold Your Guitar Pick With Just 2 Fingers

A lot of new guitarists will make the mistake of holding their guitar pick with 3 fingers because it feels easier initially. Even great guitarists do this sometimes, but you are only making things tricky for yourself. The extra finger can be very useful when you start finger tapping or playing pinch harmonics. Holding your plectrum between just two fingers gives you greater flexibility to play. If you grip the pick too firmly (e.g. with 3 fingers) the sound may sound uneven because of the angle you hit the string at.

Decide What Guitar Pick Style And Thickness Works For You

Try to start playing using a pick of medium thickness A thin pick will feel flimsy in your hands as you strum and may make it difficult for you to play your guitar. Thick picks tend to strum the strings a little too hard for a beginner. One particular pick I like is the Dunlop 0.6mm nylon. It’s nicely textured, easy to hold and it’s not too stiff, but it has a good sound.

Do Not Clench Your Fist

Holding your pick with a tightened fist is a mistake because it results in a loss of control and accuracy as you strum.

– Once you have used these tips to master holding the pick you may want to discover more tricks. Check out teach yourself acoustic guitar