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Learn How to Hold the Pick Like a Professional

By: Crazy Dave

Short Description: Holding the pick is the first step in learning how to play on the guitar. This article guides you step by step on the art of holding the pick.

Losing a pick is the easiest thing in the world. So, go get yourself at least a dozen picks to start with. They are available quite cheap - you could get a good pick at less than a dollar. These come in various shapes, sizes and color. Any shape would do, but go for the ones thick enough to withstand the rigors of sustained striking.

Enough about buying picks. It's high time we get down to the actual business of holding a pick.

Relax your picking arm and let the palm face you. Gradually fold your fingers into a lose fist and rotate your wrist till the knuckle of your thumb is in line with your face.

Gently slide the pick between your thumb and index finger so that the pointed end protrudes outwards. It shouldn't hang out too much otherwise you wouldn't be comfortable while strumming. Ideally the back end of the pick should be somewhere behind the knuckle of your thumb. Roll open the other three fingers.

The pick should be held firmly but don't press it too hard else strumming won't be easy. It doesn't matter if it slips off a few times in the beginning. Simply push it back to its proper place.

Let your picking arm hang loosely over the sound hole and place the pick above the third string while other three fingers rest on the face of your guitar. Without moving your wrist let your arm fall freely using your elbow as a pivot. Stop as soon as you pick the lowest string. Try this again starting from the topmost string till you reach the lowest. Simply let your hand fall across them but see to it that all strings are picked - don't miss any while moving downwards.

With the down stroke taken care of, turn your attention to the up stroke. Keep your wrist still and let the arm remain pivoted at elbow. Start from the lowest string and let your arm move upwards in a smooth single movement. The pick will brush the strings on its way up. It may miss one or two strings - it doesn't matter. The upstroke is always weaker than the down stroke.

The keyword in this entire exercise is comfort and ease. If you are comfortable in holding the pick in any other way and can still strike the strings easily, go ahead. Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix and Mark Knopfler all had their unique styles of holding the pick.

Article Source: http://www.articlemanual.com

Crazy Dave is the net's largest provider of top-notch free guitar licks with an all-inclusive review of the most valuable online "how to" guitar course at learn and master guitar!



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