Holding the Pick
by j F on Jul.02, 2010, under Coaching
Over the years, & especially in the past 2, I have seen around half of all beginners automatically hold their pick between their thumb & middle finger. In this configuration, the index sometimes acts as a ‘rudder’.
When those choosing this pick grip are asked if they are comfortable with the way they are holding the pick, they say, “Yes,” nearly every time.
Is this a good way to start? I offer an alternative: put the inside of the top index joint pad against the ‘ball’ of the pad of the thumb (they fit together). We can call it by different names based on the cultural context of a student. It could be ‘God-given pick holder’ or ‘Nature’s given pick holder’. Ask them to try it & only a small percentage say, “Yeah, that’s better.” Yet, over time, students do tend to prefer the ‘holder’ [Craft School agrees, I think].
Teachers can use a statement like, “We should always experiment with how we approach the strings. The way we do things can change over time.” I’ve considered demanding that all students use the ‘given-pick-holder’ [g-p-p], but there seems to always be some type of rebellion when I’ve chosen that route.
This is something I have been considering for years, & with so many things for beginners to keep in mind, I often just go with the flow on this one.
As students progress, there are things that we can ask them to do that are easier with g-p-p & students seem to gravitate to this anyway without any constant monitoring on our end. What works, works. I emphasize positive musical memories first, & technical considerations in time. When students stick with guitar, they do learn that we are learning how our hands work, not just hitting strings & making sounds.
The given-pick-holder can lead to more control over outcomes.
And, then, there’s Eddie Van Halen. He mostly uses the middle finger against the thumb. And who’s questioning Eddie? Give Diver Down another listen.
