How to play the guitar pick as a pick: tips and tricks

At the moment, the plectrum or plectrum (this is its second name), despite all its shortcomings and features, is an integral companion of any seriously trained guitarist who seeks to conquer the musical heights. As in any creative activity related to the guitar, in order to learn how to use this device correctly and beautifully, practical courses are needed. Of course, in a couple of days, learning this technique will not work, you need to devote two to three weeks to training.

What is a pick

This is a thin plate, usually round or oval, made of plastic, metal, as well as bones and wood. She is caught by strings when playing the mandolin, domra and other similar instruments. Sometimes it is made in the form of an open ring and put on a finger and called a plectrum. A serious minus of it is that the finger technique was, is and will be the most convenient technique for playing acoustic instruments. In this case, in order to get the maximum bright sound, you have to learn a completely different type of mediator - the finger.

how to play a pick

How to play the guitar pick as a pick - basic aspects

The electric guitar, in turn, does not accept fingers and prefers only a pick. For example, a solo is convenient to play thin, the rhythm is medium or thick. There are such guitarists who think about how stiff they need a guitar assistant, the answer is very simple - to get a better pair of different stiffnesses, since their price is not expensive and everyone can afford these devices.

Very often, beginners come across great difficulties when playing a pick. As for the fast and good technology, it’s not worth talking about it. Its thickness starts from 0.4 to 4 mm, the timbre of the emitted sound depends on this. They are usually used when playing solo parts and riffs, because you need to show the clarity of the sound of the guitar. Thin transmitters are better used in game parties.

Next comes the next question about how to play the pick on an acoustic guitar. It's quite simple, if you prefer to play such an instrument, then feel free to use a thin plectrum when playing chords and thick when performing solo parts. The sound and purity will not change from the type of mediator, but it is worth understanding that playing with a small assistant will be very convenient.

how to play guitar pick

How to hold the plate

Clamp your assistant with your thumb and forefinger. It is not necessary to squeeze the fingers with force, the hand should not be too tense, but it is also not recommended to completely loosen the hand, but it is necessary to make sure that the mediator does not fall out of your hands. This means that he should not clutch at the strings where we do not need, but at the same moment should not be completely invisible. Of course, the easiest way is to hold the pick in the way that is most convenient for you, without adhering to absolutely no rules. If so it becomes much more convenient and the sound comes out in the end is good, without any difficulties and distortions, then you are doing everything right.

Posing the right hand - how to learn how to play the pick

The ideal option is when the hand does not have a fulcrum, but it will be quite difficult to play. It is necessary to put your hand on the string holder, and it is not recommended to rest your little finger on the deck, otherwise the speed will be lost. The most advantageous point is just below the bent elbow.

how to learn to play a pick

Regarding this issue, one cannot force anyone to use a specific formulation of the right hand. And the musician himself should not depend on the opinions of other advisers. Because the most important and important thing is that it is convenient for you. This means that you can take a palm rest, or you can play without this device.

In order to perform a beautifully chosen composition, you must know how to learn how to play the guitar pick on the guitar correctly, so as not to get confused in the future. For the most part, when complex melodies are performed, it is best if the hand rests on some object. So it will be convenient and easy for you, and you can accurately and beautifully play the melody. And if you want to play lighter tunes, you can hold your hand freely. Since using a pick is easy and simple, if you follow the correct and useful instructions. But it is important to remember that it is better for a musician to master two hand-setting techniques and that you do not need to limit yourself to playing in any one of all existing positions.

What is articulation and its application

This method when playing a pick is practically the most necessary and necessary. Playing with a plectrum, you need to go so that smooth and clear sounds come out upon impact. To do this, you can take a variable stroke. This is when strikes by an intermediary need to be performed both up and down. Start playing any melody, you can try to play it, for example, by striking down. If you hear that the sound is uneven, not accented, and let's say in a simple way, not very beautiful, then the most realistic way is to play the melody from an upward beat. If it’s more convenient for you to start playing the plate by hitting down, then perhaps this is the best way to solve the problem for you.

how to learn to play the guitar pick as a pick

Soul Guitar Strings

To understand how to play the guitar pick as a pick, start at a slow pace and then carefully monitor the rhythm. With any percussion sound, bright and clear is observed. It is necessary to pay attention to the connection of the plate with the strings, the connection of common strings, it is necessary to conduct the end of the pick. At first it’s worth learning how to beat the strings only in a one-way direction - down, it is allowed to add upward strokes. When you can confidently maintain the rhythm and reduce the amplification of articulations to the maximum, then boldly continue the direction further.

Improving the game technique

  1. In this we can help the reception and understanding of how to play the guitar pick as a pick, this is such a principle as a “variable stroke”, a quick alternation of up and down strokes.
  2. Training every day, you need to play on one string. If it does, then it’s good to increase the pace.
  3. You need to start playing the usual scales, "jumping" from string to string. Hold any chord / reef and try to play it.

Thanks to such simple tricks, you will learn how to skillfully manipulate an element. In addition, there are several powerful and effective tips to better understand how to play the pick.

how to play guitar pick on guitar

  1. Variable stroke on common strings. The bottom line is to play every string from sixth to first. We play with a variable stroke, that is, grab the sixth from top to bottom, the fifth from bottom to top, and the fourth again from top to bottom.
  2. Variable stroke simultaneously on two strings. We use a couple of strings and put in a variable stroke. First, the sixth and fifth - lost a couple of times. Then the sixth and fourth, we play two or three times. Then the sixth and third, and so on until the first.

how to play the pick on an acoustic guitar

If you prefer to play the pick on an acoustic guitar, then you should definitely know that the sound using this technique will come out brighter and more beautiful. Try to play more often, devoting the game at least a few hours a day, and then your skills will improve and you will become an excellent musician.


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