I have recently started my journey on Justin’s course. Before that, I tried to learn Acoustic guitar with random videos and even got to learn some strumming patterns with ease (without a pick).
As I started Justin’s course, on one of the beginner’s lessons, he mentions that Newbies should force themselves to learn how to use the pick and it described me entirely, because I have such a hard time using the pick . I could use some tips from the community.
I hold the pick gently, the way it was thought on one of Justin’s videos.
My biggest problem: I can’t keep strumming without stopping because the pick slides to the sides as I strum multiple times. I thought “well, maybe I’ll hold it tighter” but that makes the sound too harsh to be pleasant.
I use to have that problem as well. Then after one of Justins beginning courses lessons he suggested a thinner pick be used in a fast strum song. I started using the white Dunlap super thin picks after that for a while. It just so happened it had a lot of ridged texture. That really helped. I am still a beginner but I did subsequently moved up to the Orange turtle pick after about 3 or 4 months. But I occasionally grab that thin white one when I am learning particularly difficult 16th note patterns.
The pick moving is more about the position and angle you are striking the string(s) with. I hold my pick what I would consider medium-light tension in my fingertips.
Pay attention to wrist rotation, pick rotation in the fingers (in all dimensions), angle of the attack to the strings from arm moving, and depth of the pick when striking the strings. You can make small adjustments with these until you have a reasonably solid strum without the pick moving on you.
while you are figuring this out - and a lot of it is subconscious - you can use a more flexible pick. It gives you some room for mistakes and you will be able to practice all the things you need to do while you are figuring out the right movement and grip.
I struggled for weeks - probably 3-4 months, then it just worked one day and I have been able to use fairly rigid picks which are more difficult for strumming, but better for single-string picking. that will be a balance you will decide on as you progress.
I had similar issues starting out. I have quite a tight grip and so began with very flexible picks until I could relax my grip. Today I still prefer a fairly flexible pick 0.6 nylon and like the maxi grip Dunlop ones. Also you might want to post a video of yourself strumming/holding pick for some feedback on your technique, to make sure that’s all good. I found after a bit of practice and not focusing too hard on it, that it gets easier. Good luck with it.
One more tip that helped me: try a pick that has a better grip surface (e.g. Dunlop max-grip). I find that the extra grip allows me to hold the pick quite securely even with a relatively relaxed hold. For me, that allowed me to start strumming, and after some time I realise I could do it too with normal smooth picks. So maybe try out a grip-ier pick as a stepping stone?
When I started on Justin’s course I went with 0.46mm picks that are really thin and bendy but they don’t get stuck on the strings like a thicker pick might do especially if you’re new to it. The bendiness of the pick also helped with keeping hold of it because the pick doesn’t snag on the strings, so you really can hold it very lightly and it stays in place even with enthusiastic play.
I’ve now moved onto 0.60mm picks because they are still bendy and float over the strings but are better once you move onto songs that require some single notes to be picked in among the strumming. I have some 0.73s which is the next size but they’re too stiff (for my liking) for strumming (yes i can strum with them but they’re not as nice in my opinion).
To your point on how hard to grip, if you’re squeezing the pick hard then that’s wrong. As well as sounding bad, you’ll have tension in your arm and your strumming won’t be smooth as a result
(without a pick).
. I could use some tips from the community.
