What kind of picks should i use

I personally find that I prefer the warm full sound of heavy picks when playing melodies, but the light clear sound of thin picks when strumming chords. As a result, when I play a piece of music that is mostly comprised of melodies or arpeggios I use a heavy pick. When the piece is mostly strummed chords, I use a light pick. If the piece has a combination of both melodic and chordal bits, I would use a medium pick as a sort of all around compromise. The musical situation will dictate. I might recommend that you start with medium picks.

But picks are really inexpensive, so go to the guitar store, or online and buy several of each. Variety is the spice of life, and by exploring the different varieties of sound that your guitar picks can produce, you playing will be more alive.

Watch the video below so that you can hear the different sound qualities produces by 3 picks that are made of the same material but with differing thicknesses. Then be sure to check out our post on How To Hold a Guitar Pick , and see here if you drop it into your guitar and need to get it out.

Thanks for this post on how to learn guitar. I learned some new things from it. I have a hard time modulating the heavy picks. I'm 55 and don't have the fine skills of most. I do like the sound of heavier picks, but can't play, say "Apache" because the pick just "sticks". Does that make sense? I've found that my words 'angling" the pick helps but is wildly inconsistent. I guess I'm asking, does the pick thickness make a difference in how fast you can go with a pick?

Or I just need to practice more? Guitar picks play a huge role in your playing. Using the wrong pick can hurt your development and hinder your technical abilities.

By the end of this guide, you will be an expert in guitar picks. A pick is a pick, right? Go grab a coin and play some of the usual riffs and licks you like to play. If you have a few different sized coins, grab one of each size to try out. Depending on the size and thickness of the coin, it probably feels weird and uncomfortable.

You may even have trouble playing some parts due to the round shape of the coin and its stiffness. The coin may also make a harsh scraping sound as it hits the strings. You might also be able to hear how the stiffness of the coin changes how the strings vibrate.

It should be pretty clear that playing with a metal coin is very different than your regular guitar pick. Different guitar picks make a difference in your tone and your playing. The material used for the pick, the thickness of the pick, the shape of the pick, and the texture of the pick all play an important role in your tone and playability. Guitar picks can be made from a variety of different materials and each type of material has a unique impact on playability and tone.

Guitar picks available today are most commonly made of plastics such as Nylon, Celluloid, or Delrin. Other materials include Wood, Metal, Stone, or Tortoiseshell now banned. As you found out in the pick vs coin example above, the material of the pick has an impact on your tone and playability. Even different types of plastics will be noticeable due to the different stiffness and texture they provide. In the first half of the s, the most popular materials for guitar picks was tortoiseshell from the Atlantic Hawksbill Turtle:.

Nylon Guitar Picks — nylon is very flexible plastic and was the go-to choice for guitarists for decades. Some guitarists say flexible picks produce a warm or mellow tone when compared to stiff picks, while others say they have a brighter tone. Some guitarists say nylon guitar picks produce a vintage tone as you can hear nylon picks in action in most early rock or blues music. While there are many different thicknesses available for nylon picks, for any thickness you will notice that the nylon picks are far more flexible than other plastics.

Nylon guitar picks typically have a solid flat color and usually have a textured grip on the top half of the pick. Check out this Dunlop variety pack to compare some nylon picks as well as other plastic picks.

Celluloid Guitar Picks — celluloid was the original alternative to tortoiseshell and was designed to provide a similar feel and tone. Celluloid is more flexible than tortoiseshell but much stiffer than nylon.

These picks produce a snappier tone with more high end than nylon. Celluloid picks usually have a pearl-like texture or are made to emulate the look of tortoiseshell. Check out this Fender Premium Celluloid Pack for some different thicknesses to try out. Delrin picks are fairly stiff, which produces more high end in the tone.

It has a powdery feel that gives you grip in your fingers as well as friction against the strings. Delrin picks usually come in solid colors and the Tortex line has a color code based on pick thickness which is really handy. Different companies make picks out of different materials such as Agate, Jade, and Jasper.

Check out stoneworkspicks. As you might expect, stone guitar picks are incredibly stiff and that stiffness has a big impact on tone and playability. The thickness of a pick makes a massive difference in playability and tone. Even a tiny change in thickness can produce noticeable changes in tone and playability. The thicker the pick, the stiffer it becomes. While thick nylon picks will still be quite flexible, thick Delrin picks will have almost no flex at all. Thin Picks — picks with a thickness of less than around 0.

Thin picks are incredibly flexible especially nylon picks and produce a much lighter tone with less bass or midrange. The way the pick flaps against the strings plays a big part in the mellow tone. Many acoustic guitarists use nylon picks for strumming while using thicker picks for solo acoustic parts. Medium Picks — picks with a thickness between 0. Great idea : If your grandsons are beginners, the Rombo Origami is the best option. We ship directly to UK, so you can purchase from our website.

Thanks for asking! Hi I am looking for some picks fir my grandsons Christmas. He is 8 years old and asked Santa for an electric guitar so thought this might be a lovely gift. Can you recommend the best to try and if you ship to the uk… thank you. May 5 Comments. Read More.

May 11 Comments. April By signing up you agree to our privacy policy. Free Shipping for all orders over 40 euro! Language English Deutsch English. Guitar Pick for Beginners. Guitar Pick for Beginners: Guitar picks are one of the most useful accessories for beginners, who have just started to play the guitar or bass.

With the right plectrums, you can easily learn new techniques and shape your skills. But first of all: Who is considered a beginner guitar player? In general, to be considered an intermediate player, you should know and master the following areas: Change smoothly between fundamental open chords. Know power chords and be able to move around then cleanly. Know the difference between major and minor basic chord shapes and sounds by hearing.

Know the note positions on the fretboard for the low E and A strings. Having mastered a significant amount of strumming patterns. You are able to practice using a metronome, and are aware of your comfort tempo for every technique. Have a basic understanding of music theory for musical keys and chords. Play through several complete songs smoothly. Why Use Guitar Picks?