So I've been Frustraited with this issue for a while. I've used the same pic (dunlop tortex .88mm) for years now. I've always used economy picking, when applicable but I've found in some situations economy picking is more cumbersome. Such as repetitive patterns such as that blues lick on the fifth fret in a minor that everyone plays. The pick gets in the way. Then I swithched to sweep picking and my .88 seems a bit stiff So I thought "well maybe my pic is too thick." then I tried different thickness of pics and found that the thinner ones make me feel like i lose control of the pic. Does anyone have any advice? Or is it just something I need to work through?

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"coretta" '71 tele thinline
"domino" '97 lonestar strat
"marie" squire strat
"lexy" jag-stang
"owa" martin 000

tone=fingers; fingers=tone

Try the Dunlop Nylon .88 pick. I have used them for years and they last forever. I also use V-picks. These are expensive, but they are very good picks. Some people do not like the thickness, but they offer a different tone and are easy to hold on to.

RK

There are different picking patterns for certain techniques. First off I think you are making your picking to concise and it is becoming a distraction ,as I have done this.If you are playing say the blues at a slow or medium speed you can really pick in any direction you like and use whatever is comfortable be it 3 down stroke with one up.

As you speed up alternate picking would be the best way to go, as you get used to a constant down up down up motion. Start slow and take a lick in 5th position say D string 5th fret to D string 7th fret to G string fith fret to G string 7th fret and go down up down up .Then reverse it and start with an up stroke. If you know your three note per string magor scales this is where this technique really shines though at first it might be difficult switching to the second string with an up stroke. But just work on two strings at a time and it will all fall into place without thinking about what you are doing.

For sweeping I like economy picking and if it was 3 string sweeps it would be down down down up up up unless you are playing two notes on one string in which you would alternate pick that string. Try using at least a 1.m pick as it will give you more control. Also relax and stay limber and dont tense up. Good Luck

Maybe if you switched to nylon instead of Tortex you may get more control,it worked for me.Try Dunlop .80 mm nylon,they're stiff but have some give and have a rough surface so you won't lose your grip.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Everything about playing guitar is about personal preference. From action, relief, string gauge, tone, technique, style, color... the list is endless.

It sounds like you just need to find the pick that is right for you.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

gorilla snot

As stated earlier pick size and thickness are a matter of preference. I started out with a medium tortex like yours but eventually gravitated to a 3.0mm dunlop stubby as my choice because the thickness offers control and tone that thinner picks do not. I am sorely tempted to try the Vpicks but I can't bring myself to spend the cash.

My general rule is that medium to thin picks are great for strumming and chord work but for scales, leads, and sweeps I prefer the thicker picks. The key for me is keeping my wrist relaxed while strumming and not to over grip the pick while picking....

Try these, I use these or .88 nylon dunlops.



You get whatever hardness/softness you want out of it, depending on where you hold it.

http://www.playrecord.net/guitar-accessories/picks--plectrums/dava-control-pick--one-plectrum.p236.html

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No no and no

The nice thing about picks is... for the price, you can try just about as many as you want! I've got a few Martin 0.73mm right now but I need to snag some others to try. They're OK for now but I won't know if I like something else better or not until I try it.

Try using your fingers =P

I hardly ever use a pick anymore and I play a variety of different music. It's a useful skill to learn anyways.

I do! I only have 3 picks right now and they all end up on the floor within the first 15-30 minutes of practicing.