3 Considerations For Choosing The Best Guitar Pick
By Ken K – Littleton Guitar School
Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, at one point in your journey of learning to play guitar, you found yourself wondering which type of guitar pick to purchase. With the wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and styles, how does one begin to choose? And let’s face it - these small pieces of plastic are not cheap! A cursory glance at one guitar store’s website suggests I can pay anywhere from $3 for a variety pack of twelve, all the way up to $75 dollars for only four picks. So, how do you choose the right guitar pick to suit your needs? While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, here are three criteria for you to consider if you just can’t get into the feel of what you are currently using.
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1) Shape and Feel:
Before you run to the music store and sink money into a bag of picks that will cost you $5 or more, consider the shape and feel of the pick. Far and above, the most popular shape and size are the standard 351 style pick. Almost all manufacturers offer this shape and it’s the pick most people are familiar with. However many players like using the larger triangular picks (347 style), or the super-small “Jazz III” picks. Each style has its benefits and in the end, it is about comfort and feel. If the guitar pick does not feel right when you’re holding it, switch it out to something that does. As you can see from the image there are many other shapes and sizes available.. |
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2) Material and Texture:
The big differences in price will come from the type of material that is used to make the guitar pick. Start out by figuring out what feels good to you. The typical Fender picks are made from celluloid plastic which is shiny and smooth to the touch. Other pick manufacturers such as Dunlop or Clayton make picks from Delrin, nylon, Tortex, rubber, felt, metal, stone, and other substances.
One common complaint about the standard, all-plastic pick is that sometimes it will tend to rotate out of position while playing. Many players get around this problem by using a textured pick because the texture helps keep the pick positioned correctly. While this is a “quick fix”, if the texture doesn’t help cure the problem, you should talk to your guitar teacher for specific tips on holding the pick correctly.
The big differences in price will come from the type of material that is used to make the guitar pick. Start out by figuring out what feels good to you. The typical Fender picks are made from celluloid plastic which is shiny and smooth to the touch. Other pick manufacturers such as Dunlop or Clayton make picks from Delrin, nylon, Tortex, rubber, felt, metal, stone, and other substances.
One common complaint about the standard, all-plastic pick is that sometimes it will tend to rotate out of position while playing. Many players get around this problem by using a textured pick because the texture helps keep the pick positioned correctly. While this is a “quick fix”, if the texture doesn’t help cure the problem, you should talk to your guitar teacher for specific tips on holding the pick correctly.
3) Thickness and Tip Shape:
Never a question up for debate, thickness and tip shape do matter! The thickness of your pick will make a big difference, specifically for your personal style of playing. If you are a chord player who simply enjoys strumming and singing a tune, a thinner pick (medium gauge or thinner) with a rounded tip might be a good choice. This combination allows you to strum a lot faster because, not only is the pick’s rounded edge moving across the strings with less drag, the thinner plastic or nylon actually gives way as it strikes each string allowing for a smoother strumming motion. Conversely, if you are a lead player you might prefer a thicker pick with minimal or no bend when the pick strikes the string. When going for all out speed, you will want a thicker pick. You may also prefer a sharper point on the pick for faster playing when soloing. In fact, it’s possible that you will choose different picks for different playing scenarios.
In the end, it’s all a matter of personal preference and playing style but there is functionality to all those picks that have a special spot in the music store. It is up to you to decide what feels best in your hand for what you want to play. So, before you go spending 8 dollars for a dozen picks simply because you like the color or the shape, consider buying several different picks in a variety of shapes and sizes from the loose pick bin that most music stores have at the checkout stand. Experiment with these and narrow down what feels right to you.
Ken K is a professional guitar teacher living in Denver, Colorado where he helps students enjoy learning to play the guitar. If you are looking for guitar lessons in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Lone Tree or other southwest suburbs of Denver, CO make sure to contact Ken.
Never a question up for debate, thickness and tip shape do matter! The thickness of your pick will make a big difference, specifically for your personal style of playing. If you are a chord player who simply enjoys strumming and singing a tune, a thinner pick (medium gauge or thinner) with a rounded tip might be a good choice. This combination allows you to strum a lot faster because, not only is the pick’s rounded edge moving across the strings with less drag, the thinner plastic or nylon actually gives way as it strikes each string allowing for a smoother strumming motion. Conversely, if you are a lead player you might prefer a thicker pick with minimal or no bend when the pick strikes the string. When going for all out speed, you will want a thicker pick. You may also prefer a sharper point on the pick for faster playing when soloing. In fact, it’s possible that you will choose different picks for different playing scenarios.
In the end, it’s all a matter of personal preference and playing style but there is functionality to all those picks that have a special spot in the music store. It is up to you to decide what feels best in your hand for what you want to play. So, before you go spending 8 dollars for a dozen picks simply because you like the color or the shape, consider buying several different picks in a variety of shapes and sizes from the loose pick bin that most music stores have at the checkout stand. Experiment with these and narrow down what feels right to you.
Ken K is a professional guitar teacher living in Denver, Colorado where he helps students enjoy learning to play the guitar. If you are looking for guitar lessons in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Lone Tree or other southwest suburbs of Denver, CO make sure to contact Ken.
