Did you just drop your guitar pick? It’s common guitar law that you will never see that pick ever again.
That being said, let’s go over how to hold a guitar pick correctly, okay? Rest the pick between your thumb and index finger. This allows just the right flexibility and stability you need for most playing styles.
You can choose from thin, medium, heavy, or extra heavy.
Size, shape, and material can influence your grip choice, which will also influence your sound.
Most common materials are nylon, acrylic, and celluloid. A thicker pick might offer more control while a thinner one could provide a lighter, more resonant tone. Just have fun and try them all!
My all-time favorite guitar pick that I’ve used for many years, and still do, is the Jim Dunlop nylon 1 mm with the molded grip surface. The grip helps the pick stay in place while I’m rocking out so I don’t lose it.
But, like most guitarists, we will still lose them, or as I like to say, “misplace“ them.
Proper placement of your pick will give you the ability to control dynamics, make quick adjustments, and maintain consistent contact with the strings. It’s like the foundation of a house, get it right, and everything else falls into place.
This grip should feel like a natural extension of your hand, nearly as effortless as holding a pencil.
It’s not about perfection. This will come natural over time. The standard grip is a starting point, a base camp for your journey up the mountain of guitar mastery. You will adjust this to fit your specific playing style as you gain more experience.
Now that we’ve walked through the foundational aspects of holding a guitar pick the standard way, you’re probably sensing that there’s room for individuality. And you’re right; personalizing your pick hold is a key step toward defining your unique sound on the guitar.
Famous iconic example: James Hetfield of Metallica, the downpicking king! He holds the pick between his thumb, index, and middle fingers. It’s not the textbook method, but it gives him the control and the heavy, percussive attack his music demands.
Just like Hetfield, you might find that deviating from the norm works wonders for you.
Another famous icon: Eddie Van Halen held his pick between his thumb and middle finger, while holding his palm away from the guitar. Of course, he is also famous for abandoning the guitar pick altogether for two-handed tapping. Ahh, who needs a pick, right?
One of my main rock idols, Jimi Hendrix, held the pick between his thumb and index finger(standard way), but created music that was anything but standard! Sometimes he ditched the pick and ferociously played with his teeth! He also was known to wrap is left thumb over the neck to fret the lower strings.
You do you!
If you look at your hand right now, consider its size, the length of your fingers and how they move. Your anatomy plays a big part in how you’ll comfortably hold a pick.
And the pick itself matters too; its size, its texture, its thickness. All these elements will influence your grip.
Here’s my advice: don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different techniques. Hold the pick the standard way, try the Hetfield method, or invent something entirely your own.
Eventually, you’ll stumble upon the technique that feels just right, that magic grip that makes playing effortless.
Remember, the ‘right way’ to hold a pick is the way that feels right and works best for YOU. As you grow as a guitarist, keep refining your grip. As your playing evolves, so will your techniques.
Things could even change based on the type of music you’re into at the moment. I’ve dabbled in many styles over the years such as heavy metal, classic rock, country, pop, folk, blues, etc. They all require slightly different picking techniques due to specific dynamics.
While the standard pick holding technique is a solid starting point, it’s the ability to adapt and personalize that will set you apart as a guitarist. It’s about comfort, efficiency, and freedom of expression.
How you hold a pick should be a natural part of your musical expression, so choose something that feels comfortable to you.
Now, grab your pick and guitar, and start picking!
I’ve been playing guitar 40 years now; writing, recording, and rocking in bands. Randy Rhoads, Warren DiMartini, and of course, Jimi Hendrix all lit the fire for me, and I’ve been chasing that passion ever since.
