You can hold a guitar pick between your thumb and index finger.It's not rigid if you grasp it firmly enough to hit the strings.Don't try to scoop the string, but let the pick brush it.Pick a pick that works for you, practice the correct way to place your hands on the guitar, and practice plucking and strumming until you can generate a clean sound.
Step 1: The pick needs to be grasped in your strumming hand.
Most people are comfortable strumming and plucking a guitar with their dominant hand and non-dominant hand.Hold the guitar, interact with it, and work out a grip that feels good.Place your non-dominant "fingering hand" along the neck of the guitar with your thumb and fingers resting on the strings.The strings should face away from you, roughly parallel to the ground.If you want to play standing up, you can use a shoulder strap or rest the guitar on your knee.Swing your hand down to rest on the strings as you rest your arm on top of the guitar.Rest your fingers on the strings between the last fret and the pickup bar if you're playing an acoustic guitar.
Step 2: Between your thumb and index finger, hold your pick.
If you want to know where your thumb and forefinger should fit, cover half of the pick with your fingers.Use a firm grip, but loose enough that you can allow the tip of the pick to bend.
Step 3: You can find a grip that works for you.
There is no right or wrong way to hold a guitar pick, but there are certain grips that emphasize control, tone, and comfort.The "O" method is one of the methods considered.The "O" method can be used.If you want to form your fingers into an "O" shape, hold the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger.The grip balances control and tone.The "pinch" method can be used.The pick should be between the thumb and index finger.Those who use thinner-gauge picks spend most of their time strumming.The "fist" method is used.The pick should be between the thumb and the side of the index finger.The method is favored by bluegrass players and may be best for heavy picks.
Step 4: Your wrist should be pivoted toward your guitar.
The long side of the pick should be as close to the string as possible.When playing guitar, you don't really pick with your fingers, but your wrist.You canstrum and pick riffs with your wrist.
Step 5: Don't scoop the strings.
If you want to catch the string on the pick, you need to brush the surface of the strings not so gently that the sound is weak.Be gentle, but firm.Don't force your will on the instrument, try to work with it.Don't grip your pick hard.You have to be flexible with your motions.Picking will sound off rhythm if you are too rigid.As you brush the pick across the strings, keep your wrist rigid.The finger-and-wrist technique only allows you to play fluidly.When you find a method that works, build upon it.
Step 6: If you have a loose wrist and elbow, thump your guitar.
Strums are an important part of guitar rhythms.Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger and rest the tip on the uppermost string.Make sure to hit every string along the way by brushing the tip of the pick.Strum quickly to blur the notes together, and slowly to enunciate each tone, while strum gently for a quieter chord.You canstrum up-down (high, thin strings to low, thick strings) or down-up.You canstrum any section of strings for the desired effect.When youstrum, try to hold certain strings together.The better you play, the cleaner your strums will get.Don't be discouraged if your chords come out sloppy at first, and make sure to hold down strings tightly.Continue practicing and building your finger strength.Thin picks make for a quieter strum, and thicker picks give a more powerful one.
Step 7: Pluck your instrument.
If you're playing a simple melody or emphasizing a single note from a long chord, you might want to just plucking one string at a time.Only hit the single string if you rest the tip of the pick on the string.Pull the pick away from the neck of the guitar so that you don't strike any other strings.If you have a non-dominant hand on the neck of the guitar, you can keep a chord and pick a single note from it.You don't need to shift your non-dominant hand so dramatically when transitioning between strums and pluckings.It's more distinct if you lick a note.On acoustic instruments, you may not be able to achieve the same volume or weight with a plucked instrument.There is space between your strums.
Step 8: Gain speed, precision, and accuracy by alternating picking up and down.
You can move upward or downward.Try to create a flow between strokes by plucking down,strum up, and plucking up.It takes more time to strum down twice than to back up.
Step 9: Pick the sound you make.
Most brands of pick are labeled "thin", "medium" or "thick" with a millimeter measurement.Most plastic guitar picks are in a range of sizes.Start with a pick between 0.60 and 0.80 millimeters thick.Thin picks range from 0.40 to 0.60mm.It's best to use them for acoustic strumming when you want a heavy tone.Thin picks are often used to fill in the rhythms and mid-range in rock, pop, and country songs; however, they lack the heft for rock rhythm and lead.The picks are from 0.60 to 0.80 millimeter.It's a good pick thickness that works well for acoustic rhythms and powerful leads.Medium picks aren't ideal for zingy strumming or powerful lead lines, but they are versatile.The heavier the pick, the louder the sound.At the lower end of the range, you will have enough flexibility for arpeggios and fat lead lines, but you also need to have the right amount of firmness for them.You'll get cleaner, mellower, warmer tones at the thicker end of the range.The thickest picks, from 1.5 to 3mm, are used by jazz and metal guitarists.
Step 10: Pick materials.
Most cheap guitar picks are made from plastic, and this should suit your purposes at first.Don't worry if you wear down the edges of the pick; just use another pick.Heavy rubber or metal picks can be used for practicing or for specific styles of playing.Consider using a metal or rubber pick for a louder sound.If you don't know, try out a few styles of pick.Guitar picks can be found at most music stores and online.Look at the thickness, brand, and material of friends' picks.A pick is a personal choice, so figure out what works for you.
Step 11: Pick up certain instruments.
Finger-picks that clip to your fingertips are different from traditional guitar picks and are used by banjo players.You can ask around at a music store or visit a banjo technique website if you're using banjo finger-picks.In general, banjo finger-picks slip over the tips of your index, middle, and ring fingers, with a sharp fingernail-like "pick" curving backward from the pad of the finger over your fingernail.
Step 12: You can learn to pick with your bare hands.
Many guitarists find it easier to use a plastic pick.If you try plucking or strumming without a pick, the tips of your fingers may grow raw, but you may find that finger-picking improves your range and speed.If you try to play with a pick and then switch to finger-picking later on, it may take you a while to regain your dexterity.If you think you'll switch at some point, consider starting with finger-picking.The pads of your fingers can be used to pick up high strings to low strings.If you want a full sound, use several fingers.It's practice, practice.Don't cheat and use a plastic pick if you want to learn to finger-pick.You can improve your technique by taking every chance that you can.You can build your speed by playing riffs and songs slowly.When you are more confident in your finger-picking, try plucking two strings at the same time.You can use your fingers to make music.