Introduction: Why Guitar Picks Matter
For guitarists, the humble guitar pick may seem insignificant, but finding the right pick can elevate your playing. Picks directly affect the tone and articulation you can achieve on the guitar. The material, shape, size, and thickness all impact the sound, feel, and playability.
Harder materials like acrylic and stone produce brighter, sharper tones, while softer picks like nylon have a mellower, rounded sound. The shape and tip affect articulation – sharp points yield precision while rounder edges offer smoother playability. Thinner picks provide flexibility and response, while thicker picks excel for rhythm work.
Even subtle factors like beveled edges and grip patterns on a pick can enhance speed, control, and endurance during extended playing. And the texture of the pick determines the friction against the strings – rougher feels allow a firmer grip, while polished surfaces promote effortless fast picking.
So don’t underestimate the power of the simple guitar pick. Take the time to explore different shapes, sizes, materials and gauges. Experiment to find the right pick for your personal style, technique, and musical genre. With so many variables, there’s a pick out there that can unlock the full potential of your playing.
Understanding Guitar Pick Materials
Guitar picks come in a variety of different materials, each with their own unique properties that affect the tone, feel, and durability. Here’s an overview of some of the most common pick materials:
Celluloid
Celluloid is one of the oldest and most traditional pick materials. It produces a warm, round, mellow tone, and has a smooth feel. Celluloid is quite flexible, but also prone to wearing down over time. Vintage-style picks are often made of celluloid.
Nylon
Nylon picks are known for having a bright, crisp tone with great articulation. They have a textured, grippy surface and are very flexible. Nylon picks tend to be quite durable and resistant to wear.
Tortex
Tortex is a brand name for picks made from Delrin plastic. Tortex picks have a smooth, polished surface and produce a balanced tone. They are stiffer than other materials like nylon, with good strength and durability. Tortex offers different thickness and texture options.
Delrin
Delrin is a hard, dense plastic that makes for very durable picks. Delrin picks have a very stiff, inflexible feel. The tone is bright and defined. Brands like Clayton use Delrin to produce extremely long-lasting picks.
Ultex
Ultex is Dunlop’s premium pick material, known for its durability and grip. Ultex has a slightly textured feel. It produces a balanced tone, with great clarity. Ultex picks are designed to be resistant to chipping and breaking.
Guitar Pick Shapes and Sizes
The shape of a guitar pick can significantly impact your playing style and technique. Here are some of the most common guitar pick shapes and their key characteristics:
Standard
The standard guitar pick shape is a rounded triangle with slightly rounded corners. This is the most common and versatile pick shape. Standard picks offer a balanced tone and articulation and work well for both strumming and picking across various genres. The rounded edges allow for ease of movement. Standard picks are a great choice for beginners learning proper pick grip and technique.
Jazz
Jazz picks have a small rounded triangle shape with extremely pointed tips, such as the famous Dunlop Jazz III. The pointed tips allow for great speed, articulation and accuracy when playing complex jazz lines and solos. The smaller size gives players more control and precision. Jazz picks excel at intricate single-note playing, but the sharp points can snag on string during strumming.
Teardrop
Teardrop shaped picks have a rounded top that tapers down into a pointed tip. This allows for both intricate picking like a jazz pick and smoother strumming with the rounded end. Teardrop picks offer a nice balance of control and articulation. The pointed tip produces brighter tone while the round end has a warmer sound. Many players use teardrop picks for versatility across styles.
Triangle
Triangle picks have three straight edges meeting at sharp points. The symmetrical shape improves grip and pick orientation. The pointed tips provide clarity and articulation for rhythm and lead playing. However, the sharp edges can scrape against the strings during strumming. Triangle picks work best for precise lead playing styles like rock solos.
The shape of your guitar pick affects how it feels and sounds. Try various shapes to see what works best for your personal playing style and guitar tone preferences. Shape is an important factor but always consider the material and thickness of a pick as well. Finding the right combination of shape, material and thickness can take experimentation but is key to enhancing your guitar skills.
Guitar Pick Thickness and Gauges Explained
Guitar picks come in a range of thicknesses, known as gauges, that have an impact on the tone, feel, and playing technique. Understanding the different gauges can help you select the right thickness for your needs. Here’s an overview of common guitar pick gauges:
Thin (0.4 mm – 0.6 mm)
Thin guitar picks range from 0.4-0.6mm in thickness. Their flexibility allows for easy bending and vibrato effects. The thinner material provides a brighter, sharper tone with more articulation and detail. Thin picks allow for fast, intricate playing, but can feel flimsy for strumming.
Medium (0.6 mm – 0.8 mm)
Medium gauge picks are 0.6-0.8mm thick. This middle-of-the-road thickness provides a balanced tone and playing feel. Medium picks offer enough stiffness for accurate picking while still being flexible. Their versatility makes them a popular choice for many guitarists.
Heavy (0.8 mm – 1.2 mm)
Heavy picks are 0.8-1.2mm thick. The extra stiffness allows for more volume and brighter tones when aggressively picked. Heavy picks excel at fast, rhythmic playing styles like rock, punk, and metal. The rigid feel can take some getting used to but offers great control.
Extra Heavy (1.2 mm – 2.0 mm)
Extra heavy gauge picks range from 1.2-2.0mm in thickness. Their extreme stiffness gives an aggressive, sharp attack and booming volume perfect for hard-hitting styles. Fast picking takes effort on thicker picks. While not ideal for delicate play, the substantial feel allows solid grip and control when playing forcefully.
Choosing the Right Pick for Your Genre
Acoustic Guitar
For acoustic guitar, you’ll want a pick that brings out the natural tone of the instrument. Celluloid and tortex picks around 0.8-1 mm thickness are great choices as they have a warm, rounded tone perfect for acoustic. The flexibility of these picks also allows for expressive, nuanced playing. Lighter picks around 0.5 mm can work well too for delicate fingerstyle playing.
Electric Guitar
Electric guitarists need a pick that can stand up to aggressive strumming and produce the bright, cutting tone expected from an electric. Celluloid, nylon, and ultex picks from 0.60-1 mm are ideal. The stiffness of these materials accentuates pick attack. Jazz III picks are a popular choice as their smaller size allows for precision when playing leads.
Bass Guitar
For bass, look for a heavier pick around 1-2 mm as this helps brings out the low end. The stiffness also allows you to dig into the strings for consistent, articulate tones. Celluloid and delrin picks are great options. Triangle and teardrop shapes can enable more controlled playing.
Rock and Metal
For heavy rock and metal tones, go for a very heavy pick above 1 mm. Ultex and delrin picks excel at producing the bright, aggressive tones needed to cut through distortion. Jazz III or other small shapes allow for fast alternate picking.
Jazz and Blues
In jazz and blues, tone and articulation are key. A flexible celluloid or nylon pick around 0.5-0.7 mm enhances subtlety and expressiveness. The warmth of celluloid is ideal for blues. Jazz styles like Gypsy jazz use smaller teardrop picks for precision.
Folk and Country
In folk and country, dynamic control is essential for strumming and flatpicking techniques. A flexible celluloid or tortex pick 0.6-0.8 mm provides a balanced tone when strumming chords yet retains enough stiffness for picking single-note runs. The warm sound of celluloid suits the genres well.
Top Guitar Pick Brands and Models
Guitarists have many reputable brands to choose from when selecting picks. Some of the top names in guitar picks include Dunlop, Fender, D’Addario, and Ernie Ball. Each brand offers its own range of unique picks to suit different playing styles.
Dunlop
Dunlop is one of the most recognizable names in guitar picks and accessories. Founded in 1965, Dunlop has pioneered some of the most popular pick designs. The Dunlop Tortex and Ultex picks are known for their bright tone and grippy texture. Some of their most popular models include:
- Tortex Standard: A top choice with a crisp attack and grippy surface
- Jazz III: Small and pointed pick perfect for precision and speed
- Big Stubby: Oversized pick ideal for strumming and a warm tone
Fender
As the legendary guitar company, Fender also produces a variety of picks. Fender picks are known for their smooth finish and flexibility. Some of their most popular models include:
- 351 Shape: Versatile small teardrop design
- Medium: Provides a great balance of flexibility and durability
- Heavy: Stiff pick that produces brighter tone
D’Addario
D’Addario is another leading pick company, known for their variety of shapes and gauges. Their picks offer great control while also being comfortable to grip. Some top D’Addario models are:
- Players Pick: Provides a fast response and rounded tip
- Pitch Black Jazz: Designed specifically for jazz playing
- Grip Tip: Unique grip coating prevents slippage
Ernie Ball
From the iconic guitar string company, Ernie Ball picks provide a comfortable playing feel. They are known for picks with unique shapes and textured surfaces. Some popular Ernie Ball picks are:
- Prodigy: Versatile for both strumming and precision playing
- Everlast: Made of a durable nylon composite that lasts
- Primetone: Sculpted and beveled shape for enhanced grip
With such a wide range of picks from leading brands, guitarists can experiment to find the right pick for their style. The key is to choose a pick that feels comfortable while also producing the desired tone.
Guitar Pick Grip Techniques
There are several common ways to hold and grip a guitar pick. Understanding the different techniques can help you find the most comfortable and effective grip for your playing style. Here are some of the most popular guitar pick grip styles:
Standard Grip
The standard grip is the most basic way to hold a pick. The pick is pinched between the thumb and index finger, with the thumb on one side and the index finger on the other side of the pick. The remaining fingers can rest curled against the palm.
This is a versatile grip that offers good control. It works well for most playing techniques and allows for both up and down picking motions. Many guitarists start with the standard grip when first learning.
Pinch Grip
With the pinch grip, the pick is held firmly between the side of the thumb and the side of the index finger. The pick points outward from the side of the index finger at about a 45 degree angle.
This grip offers excellent control and precision, especially for intricate solos and lead lines. It facilitates very economical picking motions. The pinch grip is popular with jazz and fusion players.
Angled Grip
As the name suggests, the pick is angled between the thumb and index finger for this grip. The pick points outward from the index finger at a sharper, almost 90 degree angle.
This grip facilitates very fast alternate picking. The angled orientation allows the wrist to move more freely. This grip is common in rock, metal, and shred styles that utilize lots of rapid picking motions.
Thumb-Index Grip
With this grip, the pick is held between the pad of the thumb and the side of the index finger. The thumb applies downward pressure from the top while the index finger squeezes upward from the bottom.
This grip offers a balanced feel between control and speed. The combination of downward and upward pressure allows for very efficient picking motions. This versatile grip works well for many genres and techniques.
Experimenting with different pick grips is the best way to discover what feels most comfortable and natural for your playing style. Once you find your ideal grip, practice it regularly to develop speed, precision, and confidence.
Developing Speed and Precision with Guitar Picks
Mastery of guitar pick technique is essential for developing speed and precision in your playing. While the right guitar pick can provide an advantage, truly improving your pick control requires dedicated practice and drilling of essential techniques.
Exercises for Improving Pick Control
Several exercises can help build pick control:
-
Alternate picking – Strictly alternate downstrokes and upstrokes on a single string to even out your picking attack. Start slow and increase speed while maintaining accuracy.
-
String skipping – Skip strings in a set pattern (e.g. 6th to 4th) to improve pick targeting. Apply with scales and arpeggios.
-
Circular picking – Pick in clockwise and counter-clockwise circles on a single string to build fluid motions.
-
Scale patterns – Run scales using different rhythmic patterns – start on downstrokes, upstrokes, triplets, syncopations.
-
Chord arpeggios – Pick arpeggios across multiple strings with different rhythms.
Using Different Picks to Maximize Speed
The right pick can give you an advantage when developing speed. Consider:
-
Thinner picks allow faster attack for quick passages. Jazz III models are ideal.
-
Smaller pick shapes like teardrop glide across strings easier at high tempos.
-
Smoother pick materials like Tortex create less friction across strings.
-
Heavier picks can provide more momentum for faster alternate picking.
Don’t just stick with one pick – experiment to find the best option for practicing speed based on your technique. With focused practice and the right pick, you can unlock faster, tighter playing.
Caring For Your Picks
Proper maintenance and care of your guitar picks is crucial for keeping them in top playing condition and extending their lifespan. Here are some useful tips:
-
Clean your picks regularly – Just like your strings and fretboard, guitar picks can accumulate dirt, oil and grime from your hands that can ultimately affect their tone and playability. Use a soft toothbrush and mild soap to gently scrub away built-up grime.
-
Avoid moisture – Prolonged exposure to moisture can warp and degrade pick materials. Store your picks in a dry place and wipe off any moisture after playing. Consider using a pick case for storage and transport.
-
Don’t over-handle – Excessive handling of picks can degrade the material, especially celluloid. Try not to fidget with your pick when not playing.
-
Store picks properly – Keeping picks loosely in your pocket will lead to warping and breakage. Use a pick case or tin for storage. You can also store picks flat in a drawer away from heat and humidity.
-
Consider pick sleeves – Adding a nylon sleeve to your pick provides protection and decreases wear from repeated contact with guitar strings. It also reduces slippage when you sweat.
-
Replace picks regularly – All guitar picks wear out over time. Watch for fraying, chips and flex issues and replace picks as needed. Rotating picks helps them wear evenly.
-
Don’t chew! – Chewing on your pick can degrade the material. This bad habit also leads to excessive wear.
With proper care, cleaning and storage, your favorite guitar picks can last a very long time. Simple maintenance helps preserve tone, playability and saves you money in the long run.
FAQ
What thickness of pick should I start with as a beginner?
As a beginner, it’s generally best to start with a medium thickness pick around 0.60-0.80mm. Thinner picks under 0.50mm can be difficult to control and heavier picks over 1.00mm may feel too stiff. Medium picks provide a good balance of flexibility, grip, and attack to help you develop proper technique. I’d recommend starting with a variety of medium picks to find the shape and material you like best.
How do I properly hold and use a pick?
The standard way to hold a pick is between the thumb and index finger, with the thumb on one side and index on the other pinching the pick. Make sure to grip the pick firmly but not too tight. Keep your wrist loose and use a motion from your forearm to strum the strings. Angle the pick slightly to achieve the desired attack. Additionally, experiment with grips like the pinch grip or thumb-index grip. Proper pick holding technique takes practice, so be patient as you develop the coordination.
Why do my picks keep slipping and falling when I play?
If your pick keeps slipping, it’s likely due to issues with the size, shape, material, or attack angle. Try a pick with a textured grip surface for more control. Also, make sure your pick attack isn’t too vertical causing the pick to slip. Aim for an attack angle around 45 degrees. Heavier picks over 1.0mm may help you maintain precision. It also comes down to technique, so focus on keeping a firm but relaxed grip and letting your forearm drive the picking motion.
How often should I change my pick?
It depends on how much you play, but expect to change your pick at least every few weeks with regular practice. Picks wear down with use, developing rough edges and losing their point. This affects tone and playability. If you notice tone degradation or less articulate picking, swap your pick. Some synthetic picks like Tortex can last longer. Additionally, rotate picks rather than wearing one down. Keep a handful ready to grab and switch them out each session.
What pick works best for strumming chords?
For strumming, a medium or heavy pick around 0.8-1.0mm works well to produce full chords. Standard and teardrop shapes allow strumming across multiple strings. A textured surface provides grip, and materials like Tortex and Delrin have a bright, full tone. The stiffness of a heavier pick allows confident strumming while the point glides across the strings. Let the pick do the work rather than your wrist. Angle the pick slightly and keep a loose grip.
How do I clean grime off my guitar picks?
Over time, picks can accumulate dirt, oil, and grime from your fingers that affects their tone and playability. To clean, use a microfiber cloth or old toothbrush with some warm water and mild soap. Gently scrub both sides of the pick. For stubborn grime, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Rinse the pick afterwards and allow to fully air dry before playing again. Proper cleaning removes buildup and restores your picks’ tone.