The type, style and gauge of guitar pick you elect to use is a personal choice. I recommend medium gauge picks to start. Holding the pick
requires touch and feel and there are many personal preferences. The first section discusses how to hold, and use a pick in a traditional
manner.
Remember there are many different way to use the pick. For example you can use one technique for picking individual notes and another for
strumming. If your style requires using pinch harmonics, you may chose the move the pick into different position while you are playing! But this
comes with time.
Open your picking hand, and turn the palm to face you.
Close your hand to make a very loose fist. Your thumb should remain beside your index finger.
Rotate your hand until you are looking at it's profile, with your thumb's knuckle facing you.
With your other hand, slide your guitar pick between your thumb and index finger. The pick should be approximately located behind the
knuckle of the thumb.
Be sure the pointed end of the pick is pointing directly away from your fist, and is protruding by about a half an inch. Hold the pick
firmly.
Position your picking hand over the sound hole of your acoustic guitar, or over the body of your electric guitar. Your picking hand, with
thumb knuckle still facing you, should hover over the strings.
Do not rest your picking hand on the strings or body of the guitar.
Using your wrist for motion (rather than your entire arm), strike the sixth (lowest) string of your guitar in a downward motion. If the
string rattles excessively, try striking the string a bit softer, or with less of the pick surface.
Now, pick the sixth string in an upwards motion.
Repeat the process several times. Try and minimize motion in your picking hand: one short picking stroke downwards, then one short picking
stroke upwards. This process is referred to as "alternate picking"
Try the same exercise on the fifth, fourth, third, second, and first strings.
Holding the pick in this manner will feel awkward at first. You will have to pay attention to your picking hand when you play. Work to create
fluidity in your alternate picking and strumming.
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