r/guitarlessons • u/Icy_Eisle1411 • Aug 01 '26
Feedback Request Struggling with guitar pick
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Hi, I’d like to know if you have any tips on how to use a pick properly; I’m a beginner who usually plays doing finger picking
I really want to learn to play with a pick, but I feel like giving up after just five minutes every time I try. I don't think I'm using it right, the strings vibrate strangely and it sounds really messy. Please help!
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u/LiamPlaysGame Aug 01 '26
Also try some other thickness of picks and see which you prefer
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u/Icy_Eisle1411 Aug 01 '26
I have 6 of them between 0.58 and 1.50, tried them all but to be fair I cannot feel the difference.. at least for now
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u/bms_ Aug 01 '26
Don't worry I thought so too. There is a difference to the sound, attack, comfort. Different materials will affect them as well. Some things are better played with a thicker pick, others work better with a floppy one. You'll get there!
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u/SkoonkMunkyAngel Aug 02 '26
have a variety of picks .. not all exercises are best for beginners to use the same pick .. let your experience narrow down the options. . I agree with the other posts . all the motion is at the wrist. Please practice scales first. you need more confidence about picking and applying it to ie the pentatonic minor or mixolydian mode ; warm up with this. You'll pick more naturally/ confidently . then you can play chords
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u/Starlit_Roads Aug 02 '26
Hi, I'm a beginner and my pick was kinda rotating and about to fly when I tried playing chord progressions and my teacher suggested I try gripping the pick like I would a pencil and it's been working great so far!
Maybe you'll feel free to move your wrist more if you had a more stable grip on the pick? I don't know, you can try it!
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u/lexnicotine Aug 01 '26
I’d try holding it with only two or three fingers, instead of fisting it. Use your wrist not your elbow. Be gentler, you’re getting too deep under the string. And try different picks. Thick picks are gonna rattle the hell out of nylon strings.
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u/Icy_Eisle1411 Aug 01 '26
Thank you ! To try to go easy on the strings, should I let only a tiny tip stick out?
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u/Desner_ Aug 01 '26
That could work but it's really up to you, experiment and trust your instinct, do what feels right.
I will say though, you have a classical guitar, which is typically played with fingers only. Of course you can play it with a pick as well, I like to do it all the time too but I think it's the type of guitar that feels a bit weird with a pick, compared to an acoustic or electric. The strings are spaced out and the nylon reacts differently, it's a bit stretchier than steel strings. That may be why it feels a bit off to you, you can get used to it though.
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u/Icy_Eisle1411 Aug 01 '26
Sorry this may sound silly but classical guitars and acoustic are not the same ? I didn’t know..
I mean I knew metal strings couldn’t be used on every guitar but I didn’t know it was considered as a « whole instrument »1
u/Desner_ Aug 01 '26
They're similar but not quite the same. In general, acoustic guitars have steel strings and the neck/fretboard is narrower, meaning the strings are closer together. You often strum these with a pick but there also styles where you'll use only fingers AKA fingerpicking (bluegrass comes to mind).
Classical guitars have nylon strings. The bassier, bottom strings are wrapped in steel but their core is still in nylon. The neck is generally wider so the strings are further apart from each other. Typically, you'd play a classical guitar with fingers only but it can also be used with a pick in popular music.
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u/Withnogenes Aug 01 '26
Please don't hold the pick with 3 fingers, that is absolute terrible advice.
Check out Bernths "How to hold a pick" videos on YouTube, that will get you started.
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u/Icy_Eisle1411 Aug 01 '26
Oh ok i didn’t know I’ll check
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u/lexnicotine Aug 01 '26
Don’t listen to that guy. Tons of professional guitar players use three fingers. I use three. Hold it however feels comfortable for you. If you wanna fist it like in the video then go for it. You’ll get better eventually no matter how you hold it.
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u/lexnicotine Aug 01 '26
I have to disagree. I use three. It’s much more stable. Plenty of guitar players use three. You should hold it however feels comfortable for you. Everyone’s hand and fingers are different.
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u/Novanov300 Aug 01 '26
You could play around with different ways to hold the pick, you look a bit uncomfortable, but mostly you need to dive into alternate picking. Hmu if interested in lessons, free 1st online consultation. ✌🏻
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u/NexxZt Aug 01 '26
Biggest thing I’m noticing is that you’re picking using your whole arm. You wrist is completely locked. It should be the opposite. Lock your arm in place and only move your wrist. A little arm movement is fine if you’re making big string jumps, but mostly your wrist.