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Post subject: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:02 am
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I have always had a problem keeping my pick from turning or sliding around in my fingers. Sometimes it slides to the point I've barely got any pick still between my fingers. I've tried all the stuff you can buy that I've seen. I've tried different picks with a textured surface. I even glued sandpaper to some picks. Years ago I put one of those pick holders on my strap so I could grab one in case I dropped the one I was playing with. Actually dropping it was seldom but I do need to reposition the pick while playing. Sometimes that's noticable, sometimes not.

I've thought maybe I don't hold it tight enough but when I try gripping it tighter it effects my playing. It sounds like I'm hitting the strings with a hammer. Any ideas guys on how to fix this?

Jack


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:39 am
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I like Tortex (Dunlop) picks, seem to stay put even in sweaty hands.
But if you tried all the things you list, plus the turtled pickups, maybe punching a small hole in the pick would help - really, it sounds funny but try it.
If all else fails, there are the finger picks - try just one on your thumb.

And practice your techniques - pay attention on things like if you let the pick turn/slip on upward strokes or downward ones.

PS: everybody drops a pick sometimes :wink:


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:25 am
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jmattis wrote:
I like Tortex (Dunlop) picks, seem to stay put even in sweaty hands.
But if you tried all the things you list, plus the turtled pickups, maybe punching a small hole in the pick would help - really, it sounds funny but try it.
If all else fails, there are the finger picks - try just one on your thumb.

And practice your techniques - pay attention on things like if you let the pick turn/slip on upward strokes or downward ones.

PS: everybody drops a pick sometimes :wink:


I bought picks the other day with a star shaped hole in them. They are better but still I have a little trouble. I think the thing I tried that is best is I put big globs of hot glue on the big end of the pick. I had forgotten about that but when I started digging in the bag I used to carry all my stuff in I found them. That makes the pick about 4 time the thickness and helps if from sliding out of my fingers. Also, hot glue after it cools has a little bit of grippy feeling. This issue is more agrevating than anything else. Actually, it has as much to do with the condition of my skin. Sometimes my fingers feel dry like I had applied powder. But wet sweaty hands aren't any better. I'll keep playing and maybe I'll stumble upon an answer. It can be aggrevating but it's not the biggest problem in the world. :)

Jack


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 5:55 pm
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To me it sounds like you need to play more in control...

...not just the notes you're fretting...

...but the pick attack as well...

...scale a practice way down to slow/easy.


To a level where the Pick...is No Problem at all...

...work up from there...go back...

...if/when you get sloppy with the pick position or attack.


...btw...I use Dava Rock Picks...Yellow when I can get them...easier to find when I drop one!


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 6:15 pm
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Grater Grip picks. Also, First Act also makes some pretty good picks.


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 7:28 pm
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danagos wrote:
To me it sounds like you need to play more in control...

...not just the notes you're fretting...

...but the pick attack as well...

...scale a practice way down to slow/easy.


To a level where the Pick...is No Problem at all...

...work up from there...go back...

...if/when you get sloppy with the pick position or attack.


...btw...I use Dava Rock Picks...Yellow when I can get them...easier to find when I drop one!


Image


I think you have nailed my problem. SLOW DOWN! I had a guitar teacher many years ago. I remember that guy and the lessons very well. I already was playing on a level that made him more eager to help me than when he had a student who had never played at all. Anyway, he would get aggrevated with me when I'd come in after a week of practicing what he had given me because I was playing it to fast. We played some stuff together once in a while but that wasn't practice. But the scales or chord progressions he gave me were for practicing slowly to improve. I'd bet money if I take your advice and slow down and focus on controlling the pick that would help more than another style of pick. I've forced myself to slow down when learning something new until I had the accuracy. After that the speed increases all by itself almost. If I can't make something sound good by playing it slowly, it sure won't sound good playing it fast. The same theory might work with holding a pick. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Jack


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:50 pm
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Don't blame the picks or fingers. It's technique. Yes, you may need to hold it harder, and if you find that that gives to hard a sound, use a softer pick.

Also, carry a pick with you, and when your hand doesn't do anything else, hold it, and pick against something. Your belt buckle, your watch strap, your ring finger, anything. Try to dislodge it with your other hand. Just twiddle with it. Anything that gives you more familiarity with the pick.

A finger grip exerciser won't hurt either (unless you get a too strong one). They're cheap enough, and helps build finger strength, which is important for both hands.


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:24 pm
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Technique for sure,when i practice I try to hold the pick as lightly as I can. Just like finger pressure I try to use just enough to get the tone. Holding the pick too hard and using too much finger pressure just makes my hand tired. I use the Tortex as well, but I will have to try the Dava.

Question "Where do picks go when you drop them" is it a pick black hole? Pick heaven ? Hell? It's crazy


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:35 pm
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Eroot64 wrote:
Question "Where do picks go when you drop them" is it a pick black hole? Pick heaven ? Hell? It's crazy

They multiply and show up in the laundry. Actually, I think that if you put two pairs of socks and forget one pick in a pocket, during laundry, the pick will eat one of the socks and spawn two more picks.


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:27 pm
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The lost pics are hanging out with all the ball point pens that have gone missing over the years.... ;)

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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 3:31 am
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Gripping a pick is the hardest thing for me. My right hand is totally $@!&*d and it has very little movement. I've struggled with this for years. But, what i do is i use red tortex picks and put a little bit of griptape on them. Works good enough for me


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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 10:47 am
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jmattis wrote:

PS: everybody drops a pick sometimes :wink:

Eroot64 wrote:

Question "Where do picks go when you drop them" is it a pick black hole? Pick heaven ? Hell? It's crazy

Judging from the crazy amount of picks modern performers have stuck to their mike stands or to their actual guitars, even the best artists drop picks a lot!

And where do picks go when you drop them? Many years ago if I was playing an acoustic guitar, my picks would invariably go right into the soundhole...my bandmates would just roll their eyes and wait until the end of the song so I could turn the guitar over and shake out the pick. I'm sure this has never happened to anyone else...

Picks are a very personal thing. When I was a young man, at any given moment I would have more picks in my pocket than coins. :wink:
I noticed on Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day DVD that when the band ended their set, Jimmy Page simply turned and dropped his pick on top of an amp head, which is where all of mine end up eventually.

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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 11:18 am
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By taking care to avoid any malapropisms... :oops:

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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 4:31 pm
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Post subject: Re: How do I keep a good grip on my pick???
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:36 pm
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arth1 wrote:
Eroot64 wrote:
Question "Where do picks go when you drop them" is it a pick black hole? Pick heaven ? Hell? It's crazy

They multiply and show up in the laundry. Actually, I think that if you put two pairs of socks and forget one pick in a pocket, during laundry, the pick will eat one of the socks and spawn two more picks.

Nice :lol:


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