How to Hold and Use a Guitar Pick with Mark TheGuitarGuy
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- Опубликовано: 6 янв 2013
- A guitar lesson on holding and using a guitar pick.
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▶ In this video:
0:59 - Why use a pick?
5:02 - How to select the right pick
6:37 - How to hold the pick
9:13 - Applying it to the guitar
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Hi, I'm Mark and I've been teaching and playing guitar professionally for 26 years now, and I've picked up a lot of insights along the way; things I wish I had known when I started out. That's why I started this channel - to share this knowledge with you.
But this is more than just a place to learn guitar. It's also place where you can hang out, relax, be yourself, get support, make friends and get inspired to have more fun with your guitar.
So go ahead. Pick up your axe. Hit play. And be a better guitarist.
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Thanks for watching!
Regards, Mark
![How to Hold a Guitar Pick the RIGHT Way [Guitar Playing Masterclass PART 1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/v9RIjw8psHo/mqdefault.jpg)
He starts explaining how to hold a guitar pick at 7:14 for those of you as impatient as me
you fucking legend
thanks really helped
Not all heroes wear capes.
Manly Mitch Oh my god thank you so much.
Thx
I've played guitar for a year and totally forgot to practice picking, I only practiced fingerpicking and I'm pretty good at it.
Yuki Tomo same. I played fingerstyle on a classical guitar for 8 year. Now I boight an electric guitar and I feel like I just started playing
Me too! So, do we REALLY need the feather-pick??
I like the "thub" sound of fingers playing
hahaha ify guys 😂😂
Same,i suck at picking
Been playing with a pick and fingerstyle for 13 years. #WeirdFlex
For years I hated using a pick because I never held it correctly. Can't believe how easily you just taught me how to use one and how natural it feels. Great lesson.
dbrapp that’s literally me
Ya, the same..👍
Same
About to watch this video. I hope I get your results lol
Great videos, Mark, the guitar guy😂
I felt like an idiot when googling how to hold a pick, but obviously it's a common struggle.. Thanks a lot, this really helped 😃
Lucka Bauerová now u must be very good
In quarantine now I started learning guitar it's quite hard to hold the pick correctly and it plays a big role to get the proper sound 😅...
Specially bcz I'm a lefty, I found it harder 😐
@@khaben6986 same! I am a lefty ukuler trying to learn guitar in quarantine. I find using guitar pick is hard as I played ukulele without using any pick before.
That would be me, too. ;-)
Just to “piggy-back” off of many comments, you were able to persuade me to use the pick in a way nobody else has. I believe your accent demands close attention, therefore I was able to understand exactly what needed to be done. A plethora of great guitarists and teachers simply talk about the universal “A-OK” sign as the standard way to hold tuned pick. You introduced the need to extend the thumb just past the edge of the pick, which for me, makes all the difference. Thank you Mark the Guitarist!
It wasn't until I watched other people play guitar, when I noticed that they held their picks differently. Man, 4 years of playing guitar and I've been holding my pick like a pencil. Thanks for uploading this!
that video just changed my life, at least at this moment.. cause play guitar is all for me now.
I was playing hardly about 7 months...every day, when i get this trick in your video... everything changed. You start to make your sound cleaner, faster, easyer, beautiful, your notes and solos, chords start to get pure...so you can understand better and finish all your toughts about the guitar music in geral. I can say, thats the KEY to guitar sucess..exactly this video.
thanks bro,
from Brazil.
10/10
the money shot is at 7:25 and onwards. i've been playing and learning on my own for years and i truly believe this piece of information is a major milestone for me. iv been holding my pick like that crane reference and by putting my index finger where you said i can already feel the difference which is awesome because i hit a wall and didn't think i could get any better on my own. so thanks very much for giving me something to work with again. ill have to check out some of your other videos now.
Thannk you kind sir.
Many of us there stay undecided and frustrated not knowing whether to use a pick or to start learning finger picking but there's a way to hold the pick properly which should be a boost now that Mark has shown us how. Thanks
I play about 10 months now, but must say I find fingerpicking much easier in comparison with a pick. With the pick you must seek out each string as if using one finger. 4 fingers are so much easier. But the sound is so much crispier with a pick :(. Must learn the pick.
JoshTheBoss Do you have long nails? Because that really helps. I think playing with your fingers gives a warmer sound.
Token Live Mattters I noticed with the nails it sounds nice. I don't really have long nails. Maybe when I get better I might grow them then. Pick is nice for strumming, palm muting , and semi-picking (my own term). Finger style is a finger style though.
JoshTheBoss a
Can we still hold and use a guitar pick if Mark isn't there? (Title of video is ambiguous). Oh, and great lesson, thx.
witty af
Lol you just turned this into a philosophical problem.if a tree fell in the woods and Mark McKenzie didn't see it, did it really happen?
Johan Delvare Next thing we know, there'll be a so-called "McKenzie Conundrum" any day now.
schrödinger's guitar
loll
Oh that's so great that you're giving the pick a chance....so many people don't know how to hold it...and it makes all the difference.
Im left handed, but play right handed. Playing with a pick just feels super clunky and clumsy to me... But this video really helped me out a lot!
LoniVanBuni I’m a left handed right hand guitarist too, I agree
i heard that being left handed helps you learn to fret better but idk
omg same it sucks
Same
Damn true
AFter watching an hour worth of how to hold a pick, this guy takes the cake, best by far
Mark Sir is the best, coolest, most calm, most simplifying, most clear Guitar Teacher Ever!!!!!!!
We ❤️ you sir!!
I’m going to read this every morning before I start my day, and every night before bed hehe
It's my honour Sir😊😊
got uber baked 6am, Browsing the home page of youtube I see this. Me being in my baked nature click on it. I watched 8 seconds asked my self wtf are you doing and immediately went for my guitar and played for like a hour and 30 minutes of pure jammin. Good video bro you got a sub
Wile E. Coyote it be like that
Classically trained guitarist here, I've struggled with picks for years. I couldn't figure out how to hold the damn thing and have given up many times. Will try everything mentioned in the video, thanks
Been playing years . Watched this . Better player within 10 minutes. Thanks great lesson.
It's crazy how a thing like holding a pick and strum, which may seem ridiculously easy, can be such a pain in the neck. I've been playing for 10 years now and I quit the pick right away. Just like Mark explained I did it because it felt uncomfortable. At first, I felt stupid because everybody was playing well with it and I was the only clumsy strummer out there. Little by little I found my fleshy sound and I loved it. I still do. The truth is, it always depends on what you intend to play and on the sound you're looking for. Then I moved to fingerstyle and man...that's just mindblowing. And again, as soon as I got better, I thought using a pick is just non-essential. Well, after 10 years of playing I'm here looking for advice. I want to take a step forward and learn how to use the pick effectively. And I am sure I will in (almost) no time because I really itch for it. I just wanna say it's never too late to change your mind and it's never too late to start over.
Great advice!! I've never thought or heard of cutting grooves to make it more grippy, but it's bloody great!! I have absolutely nothing against finger picking by the way. I love it, it's just that so many shy away from the pick from lack of understanding. Thanks for you great tip and comment :)
The Best and most detailed 'How to Hold a pick' lesson I have ever seen. And I've seen a few. At first I was wondering how such a lesson could take up twelve minutes of video. But you explained so many things that were crucial to holding and using a pick properly. I feel like a better guitarist already. Thanks. :)
I’ve been playing for years and never liked how I sounded with a pick… now i know why 😂 thank you Mark!!
I was super opposed to using a pick before watching this (but had hurt my fingers...), and by the end I felt comfortable with it! Great video; hits all the notes ;P
Wow.. i didnt use a pick all this time coz i didnt know how to use it correctly. Now i know the proper way i find it lot better than tha hand itself. Thanks a billion
I've been playing for so long without a plectrum and have only rarely used one. My guitar is for repair at the minute and watching this has given me the mindset that I'm going to nail using a pick when I get it back. Thanks for the great video.
Great explanation as to why. I have been playing fingerstyle and never really got comfortable with a pick but starting to try using it now
Omg, for 32 years i held my pen like a pick. After seeing your video I can finally write properly. Thanks man!
This is so helpful, thank you! I just thought I could never learn to use a pick, but now I'm encouraged to practice. The very clear instruction and demonstration about how to hold a pick makes a huuuge difference! I honestly just assumed that other people didn't have a hard time learning to play with a pick.
Oh man thank you!, 3 years and smooth up strums were near impossible. Wasn’t too far off holding it right but the changes made all the difference.
After seeing your video on Barre chords I figured I would check out the rest of your videos as practice, you are excellent at explaining things whether they are simple or more complex!
This has been so helpful. My guitar teacher has been gently nudging me to play with a pic but I've been resistant. You've added other reasons for moving away from finger picking. Holding the pic the way you've explained makes a huge difference. Many thanks!
I almost gave up on playing guitar because I couldn't get it to sound right using a pick (I'm used to playing Bass with no pick). This video is the best I've ever seen on how to fix this problem. In fact, it's the only one that's explained it quite right. After watching once and trying your adjustments, I can finally sound right using a pick. I mean, immediate improvement. Thanks Mark!
You are one of my favorite guitar teachers on RUclips, and the first person to give me a very clear vision of how to actually hold the pick correctly. Thank you so much!
Thanks Mark. I've been playing for a long time but recently have been having alot of trouble holding my pick while performing. That's what brought me here. Some of it may be my age and my hands aren't quite working like they used to but, I've been curling my index finger almost parallel to my thumb. Thanks for getting me back on track. Subscribed.
sir, u deserve a medal for making it so easy for a dumb man like me.
i've watched many videos.but couldn't actually learn or do anything with my guitar.
but after watching your lessons i've started learning and understanding things at last.
they r helping me to play the guitar. thank u sir :)
Mark the wonderful Guy.
I've played the guitar since I was around six years old. That's about seven years ago now and since I never took lessons, I never learned how to use a pick. I just found out what TABS WERE a few days ago (yeah, ikr) and how I actually can use them to play something without doing it by ear, heart or watching someone else do it themselves. This will be very helpful. Thank you!
Thanks, great tutorial - just what I was looking for. Was really struggling with this - overlapping thumb made a big and instant difference!
I don't understand how to strum lightly with a pick? It's just so loud all the time. I've been trying for a few weeks now and it's certainly becoming a lot more comfortable to pluck strings and etc. but I still can't moderate how hard I hit the strings.
Reuben Walker same here
Reuben Walker same
+Reuben Walker, what about using a thinner pick? 0.5 mm, for example.
Finally, after years of playing classical style finger patterns, I can NOW play with a pick because of you!! I used a Jazz pick since my female hands and fingers are small-that made all the difference. Technique is the key!
Great idea guys!! Love it.
that was really helpful! I've been struggling for three years on how to hold the pick, and now it just feels more natural! thanks
This video is the most effective instruction I have seen anywhere on using a pick! I watched it for the first time yesterday and over the past 24 hours, every time I pick up the guitar and strum it feels more natural. For the first time I am able to play dynamically! Before, my strumming with a pick was very harsh and loud because I was constantly fumbling with the pick, hoping that I would eventually stumble upon "the right way". But by using your simple checkpoints each time, I'm making huge strides already! This is very exciting so I thank you, Mark! You are an outstanding teacher! Keep up the good work and THANK YOU for your willingness to sow significantly into others. My prayer is that you will be fruitful and increase in every good thing! :)
Thank you so much Mark, for sharing your knowledge. You're simply a great instructor - you answered everything I needed to know, which helped me a great deal. I feel so lucky to have seen your video. Thanks again my friend.
I am a beginner and have only been playing for 4 days. I was holding the pick like a pencil as you mentioned and having great difficulty strumming. This technique immediately improved that and relieved my frustration. Thank you! This has bolstered my confidence!
Thank you so much! I've been playing for a few months now and i've always held my pick like a pen. Now that i hold it the proper way, i've noticed a huuge improvement in my strumming and my picking ^_^
Wow. Seriously improved the sound of my notes with this video. Thank you!
Very helpful!! Muchas gracias!!
Mark, thank you very much for posting these videos. I started attempting to play about 2 yrs ago (43 yrs old) by getting dvd's and books and i sucked just as much after 2 yrs as i did when i started. i started watching ur videos about a month ago. You have a style of teaching that is very beneficial and easy to follow. Thanks again
Mark you are the man! Awesome lesson and it's mean to see a New Zealander giving tutorials! Now my favourite youtube guitar instructor :). Keep it up!
bass player for 8 years got my first acoustic guitar and had no idea how to use a pick, apparently it is not at all how i thought you'd use it. nice video, completely changed my sound from harsh clangy to a controlled softer one 👍🏼
I'm loving that you're getting something from them mate. Cheers
Thanks Mark after all these years I finally manage to hold the pick and strum. I gave up using it long long time ago now I found it because of you. Thanks again. Daren
Thanks a lot! This was really useful! What happened to me is exactly what you said in the beginning, I used to play without picks for a long time cause it felt strange but after having watched the video I got on with picks much better. So thank you, good job
This is a definitely a great improvement for me, i'm a long time novice who can play some satisfying strums without a pick but I constantly dropped my pick, even more so on up strokes and this tip has made an immediate improvement for me !
Thanks Allot !!
LOVE your groove at the beginning.
I have been learning for about a year now and I thought my pick holding was ok, but this is a very complete lesson and has already improved my playing with a couple of tips I was unaware of. Cheers, Mark. Top lesson!
Thanks, Mark! Excellent lessons. I've been using Jamorama for about three years and being a little bit stuck in the middle of the advanced course, these videos are hugely helpful and inspirational. Looking forward to watch more of your lessons -keep up the brilliant work! All the best, Hans Chr.
Why are you the only person I've been able to learn from, lol. Been struggling for a while until now
UNREAL.... BEST TUTORIAL ON HOW TO CHANGE CHORDS QUICKLY WITH THE PRESSING TECHNIQUE ...CAUSE NOTHING ELSE HELPS EXCEPT PURE PRACTICE AND REPETITION.....AND NOW BEST TUTORIAL ON PICK...PERFECTION!!SUB!!
Great videooo 😍😍 loved the whole explanation!
Went through a lot of videos, this one was really helpful. Thanks 😊
thanks for these lessons mark, really helpful!
Mark, this is the best one that I've seen about picks. Good job.
Thanks for your comment dude I really appreciate it
What's the song that you play before 0:54? Nice Song :)
Look at this talent, you should get more noticed. I wouldn't even be half your talent in my lifetime.
Who would have thought how you hold the pick would make so much of a difference. Great lesson! Ok I'm only playing 7months & there's a lot I don't know, but thanks to people like yourself, I'm learning something new every day.
Thanks for all of your dedication, you make a big difference Mark!!!
Best Regards,
Mike
Hey Mark, I just wanted to say thank you for this video. After 4 years of playing I was in kind of a rut, but this small detail in my playing made such a huge difference. Picking feels effortless now. Thank you thank you.
Thank you! Little things can make a huge difference! If you'd ever like some one on one help i'm now offering Skype lessons. Sometimes you only need a lesson every now and then, to check everything is in order. Cheers Mark.
Brilliant mate
Awesome video, thanks!
So right my friend
Thanks alot mark your lessons have really been inspiring i bought my guitar about a year ago and got discouraged because i didn't know how to hold it properly. I am making some progress now but i still find synchronizing both hands a challenge.
I'm an absolute beginner.... very helpful.... thank you very much!
The HEY OK technique saved my life. I was getting very frustrated as I couldn’t hold my pick properly and I couldn’t make good upstrokes. I’m going to practice this technique but I know THIS IS IT for me !!! Thanks !!!
Its always uncomfortable at first but push through and you will never regret it!
Thank you so much for making this video. I've always found it frustrating strumming because the pick would move and it felt awkward. I've tried to learn guitar songs in full but often failed because the strumming hand was not correct. I was so amazed how easily your instructions helped me and it felt like I have so much more control when strumming. Best guitar lesson I've had. Now all I have to do is learn how to switch between Bm and G quick enough so I can play Wild Horses. Bm is so frustrating!
Im sharpening my skills just from watching this guy! Amazing channel!!
That intro was absolutely gorgeous, subbed and can't wait to go through all your videos mark.
Thank you for this very deep explanation!
Thank you so much for this. My tone has improved tremendously just by holding the pick this way.
Mark. I cannot thank you enough for this video. It solved all my struggles. And as it turns out Im a pretty easy dog to train. I had it down perfect within the first day of watching this. I started holding the pick like a pen just like you talked about. No more thanks to you.
Been watching and learning,great stuff. Iv'e now got my strings on properly,and learning some cool stuff,thanks mark.
Indeed Mark, absolutely incredible, Someone had given me a cheap electric guitar (no amp) 41 yrs ago, but that was, of course, well before the internet & light years before you tube, so I lost interest in within a week because I didn't have anyone to teach me.....but that was then, this is now & I'm lovin it!!!
Thanks again Brother!
Thanks mark .its been very helpful. Just beginning to use a pick after five years of finger style .not easy but at least I know how to properly hold one. Much appreciated thankyou
This was SO helpful! Thanks!
Really cool tutorial. I just started playing guitar like 2 weeks ago and my pick was always moving a lot cause i didn't use my index finger right way. I wasn't even able to do upstrokes. Now it's still moving a bit but it's already much better then before just in the first minute. Also cool u mentioned we should start with a thinner pick. I started with a 0.8 like some people told me what's cool for e-guitar but i always get stucked between the strings when doing upstrokes. Everything works more fluently now. Thank you so much!
Ive only played classical guitar really, I have always struggled with playing with a pick so i have stayed away from it. I really want to improve my skills with playing contemporary music to be able to do recording projects and play in bands.
Thanks Mark! I'm loving your videos, you really take the time to explain everything well, great job!
Great, thank you. Nice i' m an autodicat and start guitar 1 year an a half ago and I see that I style have a lot To learn :)
Thanks alot for the Vid.. Just started taking lessons from you.. I'm new to the pick and your vids help me to understand how cool it is ;)
I can say for myself that your technique has helped me a lot. Thanks for the help there.
Thanks! It sounds sooo much better now!
Great Pick tutorial i've moved forward in my playing since I saw this vid much appreciated
Thanks Mark. The only video which emphasises the overlapping thumb which seems to make a big difference. Good contact with the pick and tilts it forward slightly.
THANK. YOU. No one's taught me this and I eventually just gave up. Now I'll get back into it. Thank you so much!!
Up to you really mate.......Great that it's helping. Try the next thickness up for a while and see how that goes.
Loads of thanks, i was struggling for up stroke and holding the pick, your trick works ☺️
Sir,thanks a lot. This video really helped me.
Mate, that's brilliant. It's incredible how many people are just one or two steps away from perfect picking
Thanks for the lesson. I've been taking group guitar classes for about 5 months and this new teacher expects me to use a pick, I've been so frustrated and always give up and go back to using my finger. Thanks for showing some technique!
Dude thanks so much for this man
I never got used to using a pick for an acoustic, let alone an acoustic guitar
Thanks man
I'll try using the pick more often