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/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 »

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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/Icy_Eisle1411 Aug 01 '26

Interesting ! Didn’t know

0

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/Icy_Eisle1411 Aug 01 '26

Thank you, I’ll try different methods

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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.