thank you for posting such a comprehensive video! Feedback about the felt pick: Two reasons why it would work for a group lesson or a music class in elementary school: 1: You can do a DIY project to create them since they are so easy to make- 2: They are softer and less bright: EXACTLY: when you are teaching 20 students ukulele- you don't want 20 bright simultaneous ukulele mini voyagers blasting your ears! It's a perfect muter :)
Great video Aaron. A few days ago I started looking for my felt picks as they weren't in my doodad drawer. In the middle of searching I asked myself "Why". I never use those anyway. Ill have to take another try of the Alaska picks.
Mysterious topic clarified! I use a Zero Gravity pick even for strumming. If you have a medical anomaly, this is an excellent option. It eliminates the need for a tight grip so players with arthritis, lymphedema, missing fingers have a viable option. It loops around a finger to keep from flying off and wounding a band mate!
Thanks very much for this! I had totally bought into the idea of felt picks, but was disappointed that they did not work at all for me. After watching this video I got out my guitar picks and had FUN experimenting with them. Love the sounds I'm getting. Thanks again.
I play Guitar, bass and uke. Regular guitar picks come in different thickness's and varying materials. Each have a different sound and feel. Thin guitar picks are very percussive too. Also I find leather guitar picks fun they have a sound between felt and the meaty part of the thumb. I recently brought a set of wood guitar picks also fun. I also have a pick punch that makes regular picks from plastic, credit cards, icecream containers, etc. I even tried an aluminium drink can pick.
Fred Kelly also has some really interesting designs that work great on ukulele. They also have a light gauge. I use their slick pick and Bumble Bee pick.
The only reason that i sometimes use a felt pick is if my husband is watching something , and I want to practice . The felt pick can be used so soft and I don't disturb him
I use Mahalo felt picks-- but good luck finding them! Idk why but I can never find them I have to dig. I lucked out and got 2 packs but I love them so much I use them everyday. 💕
Great instructive video about picks! Thanks! I got one of those felt picks with one of my earliest ukes and didn't know what to do with it either. I threw it away. hehe
Regarding the felt pick, it appears that Lyle Ritz is using a white felt pick while playing "Tonight You Belong To Me" in this video: ruclips.net/video/WBfh2BLdPQw/видео.html . He played the song for the overdub in the movie "The Jerk". ruclips.net/video/wyinJyWUhas/видео.html . He probably used that pick for a softer, smoother sound appropriate for the love song. So consider the felt pick to be an option for special effects.
Thank you for such a nice video! It's very helpful as you showed lot more options that I've ever thought about. Also when I occasionally visit local guitar shops what I usually focus on (and what is also usually available) are just plain guitar picks of different shapes and thickness. Once I bought a set of Dunlop metal claws, the type which you showed the second in the video however I don't use them. Building my ukulele technique slowly from the scratch (I switched hands to pick with my left hand due to the health troubles) I decided to stick to a plain guitar pick for the beginning. So I just play alternate picking and basic strumming, I also think it will be helpful if I ever decide to play guitar/electric/bass also left-handed. By the way, you look very like Russian football player Dmitriy Kombarov :D
I really like your video. I'm just starting out playing, and strumming is a concern because of the different styles. I played guitar yeas ago and have always used a pick. Seeing that one can use a pick instead of perhaps using the index finger like many ukulele payers do, which I find very awkward by the way, I will practice with the pick. Thank you for clearing this up for me. One question. Is that a tenor or concert ukulele you are playing?
I go bare fingers or use a standard pick personally, the callouses on my fingers seem to provide a good tone and I just get louder by putting in more force.
Point of the felt pick is: To not damage the uke strings....gah-doy! Cuz the nylon and stuff and the hooplah mah strings will get damaged so im on the hunt for felt picks.
+Angel Hurtado Cuz I like using a normal guitar pick but i hate it when i record and you can hear the weird click of it and i hate it, so might consider buying one off my frind
the idea of the felt pick is ; the Hawaiians assume the Guitar picks are dangerous for Ukes and the felt pick is supposed to be soft enough like the bare skin of your hands to keep that soft mellow sound. the Hawaiian pros don't use picks (usually) on the strumming hand
I could be old time and preach against picks, but i think aaron does a good job. however there are some sounds that you just won't get with your fingers. I have one Uke i flat pick and one i won't touch with them, because i've noticed it definitely reduces string life. Fender light picks are my fave, in combo with the aquila red series low g strings.
I was trying to find the picks you were talking about for the thumb and fingers. Couldn't quite make out what you were saying. Can you provide me with the exact name of these and sizes. I recently purchased a Baritione and I have to say using a pick on it sounds really good. Thanks for the video Aaron!
Picks will only do harm to your uke if your technique makes it so. Even fingernails can wreck an uke top if you are careless or lack control. It just takes practice to get used to the them!
Thanks Aaron. I have fingernails that split too easily. I'm still trying to get used the Alaska picks, and sometimes my fingernail isn't long enough to wear it properly. I wonder if you have ever tried the Fred Kelly picks that fit over your nail, instead of under like the Alaska picks?
A very useful topic choice. I play an 8 string tenor uke and while I love the harmonic sound its generally acknowledged as not the best for picking due to unwanted ringing. Any suggestions on what pick might work best with that style of uke? Ps yes like everybody else I went out and bought the obligatory felt uke which gives that useless muddy sound. Somewhere in the world a felt pick maker is laughing his head off.
I liked everything about the broad presentation of picks right up until the felt pick shaming. I'm a pretty accomplished player and use either a firm felt pick or a super hard felt pick. With the latter, I get a loud, clear, and rich tone without the twanginess of hard surface metal or plastic pics (think banjo or mandolin). Medium felt picks get floppy and dull pretty fast, but when relatively new give a nice soft harp-like sound that fits some of my material. Flatpicking in general offers many possibilities for following melody. That's why the style is so popular on other American Roots music, like old-time, bluegrass, country, an even modern pop.
Thanks for a very informative video. i have a felt uke pick, too. I don't use it either, but I collect picks. Ergo, that's where it stays, in the collection. I like the looks and idea of Herco picks, but they have many gauges. What gauge Herco thumb pick do you use? And what are the dimensions of your "yogurt" pick? Thanks in advance.
I would try an Alaska pic with a piece of tape or a high rider pick, if they still make those. You could also use a metal banjo pick but bend it straight out.
+Aaron Keim thanks,im planning to buy uke but dont know what to buy actually,should i buy cheap soprano ones(still at least must be 50 dollars) or directly concert size as a beginner?
+TheZortlak You will be very disappointed if you buy a $50 soprano uke. Buy a used Kala or Ohana, concert or tenor size, off eBay and make some music. A $50 soprano is a piece of junk that will not play in tune, sound good or bring you joy.
+Aaron Keim i was thinking to buy Kala Makala sharks(plastic soprano),according to reviews it stays in tune well and sounds good,but you are right i will probably go for Kala ka-c concert.Still not so good but i think it will be enough for beginning.Thanks for helping :)
I know you mentioned felt picks in your video, but is it true that plastic picks ruin and scratch the strings? I'm only a beginner and I want to have a lot of knowledge on various uke playing... stuff I guess lmao. Thank you!
I'm a beginner and just got my soprano ukulele on the 16th of August and I don't think I'm strumming correctly. I find it hard to strum up and down with my thumb and my index finger. I have yet to try picks. I was wondering what pick you would prescribe for a softer sound. Nothing that would make the Ukulele sound bright or loud. Another thing that I wanted to ask was, is it true that soprano ukuleles are the worst or "crappiest" ones you could get?
No, soprano ukes are not the worst. Any size uke can be good or bad. When I don't use picks, I prefer to just strum down and up with my first finger. If you want to try a pick, just get a thin and light guitar pick and try it out. Whatever works!
Soprano is the traditional size. It's usually brighter and more "ukulele" like. :) Different strokes (sizes) for different folks. Try them all and see what YOU like. Don't let others influence you for or against.
There isn't a 'correct' way to produce sound with an instrument, just what has been used before, and has been seen to be successful. Teachers may suggest to not learn at the start with a guitar pick since it may limit your strumming hand development at first. Different musicians use different picks depending on the tone they're looking for (e.g. pick vs. plucking on bass guitar) or the style of music (e.g. finger picking vs finger picks in plastic and metal in folk music). I've used Dunlop tortex in different thicknesses on the uke (orange and blue), and index strumming. Using a pick may wear down the strings faster costing more money, so there are different things to consider. Don't neglect a style of playing just because it isn't "proper". You might just find the sound you're looking for ^_^
thank you for posting such a comprehensive video! Feedback about the felt pick: Two reasons why it would work for a group lesson or a music class in elementary school:
1: You can do a DIY project to create them since they are so easy to make-
2: They are softer and less bright: EXACTLY: when you are teaching 20 students ukulele- you don't want 20 bright simultaneous ukulele mini voyagers blasting your ears! It's a perfect muter :)
Very nice video
Felt picks are made to produce the softer sound of strumming with your fingers the traditional pick is actually leather for same reason
I thought felt picks were to protect the surface of uku and nylon strings, since there is no a strike plate, and strings are prune to fray or scratch.
Willie Nelson uses nylon strings on his guitar "Trigger" and plays with a normal pick. No problem.
🤣🤣
Excellent
Great video Aaron. A few days ago I started looking for my felt picks as they weren't in my doodad drawer. In the middle of searching I asked myself "Why". I never use those anyway.
Ill have to take another try of the Alaska picks.
Thanks for the info, Aaron. I can't grow fingernails to any length, and I'm learning a song that is mostly finger picking. I'll look for these picks.
Mysterious topic clarified! I use a Zero Gravity pick even for strumming. If you have a medical anomaly, this is an excellent option. It eliminates the need for a tight grip so players with arthritis, lymphedema, missing fingers have a viable option. It loops around a finger to keep from flying off and wounding a band mate!
Thanks very much for this! I had totally bought into the idea of felt picks, but was disappointed that they did not work at all for me. After watching this video I got out my guitar picks and had FUN experimenting with them. Love the sounds I'm getting. Thanks again.
You my good sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. This has been a very enlightening, and informative video. Two thumbs up! God bless you good sir.
Always hated that felt pick I was encouraged to purchase. Thanks.
I play Guitar, bass and uke.
Regular guitar picks come in different thickness's and varying materials. Each have a different sound and feel. Thin guitar picks are very percussive too.
Also I find leather guitar picks fun they have a sound between felt and the meaty part of the thumb.
I recently brought a set of wood guitar picks also fun.
I also have a pick punch that makes regular picks from plastic, credit cards, icecream containers, etc. I even tried an aluminium drink can pick.
Fred Kelly also has some really interesting designs that work great on ukulele. They also have a light gauge. I use their slick pick and Bumble Bee pick.
Great video. Thanks for showing the different options.
The only reason that i sometimes use a felt pick is if my husband is watching something , and I want to practice . The felt pick can be used so soft and I don't disturb him
I use Mahalo felt picks-- but good luck finding them! Idk why but I can never find them I have to dig. I lucked out and got 2 packs but I love them so much I use them everyday. 💕
the felt pick is for plastic string ukes.
awesome info!
Usefull info. Just what I need-appreciated.
Kenneth Kowalchuk its better to use the finger than pick so you dont need to worry about scrating your ukulele
thanks bro. very practical and helpfull. more power.
Hello Aaron I learned something new today cut a yogurt container into a pick cool ill have to try that out great video thinks.
Great instructive video about picks! Thanks! I got one of those felt picks with one of my earliest ukes and didn't know what to do with it either. I threw it away. hehe
Regarding the felt pick, it appears that Lyle Ritz is using a white felt pick while playing "Tonight You Belong To Me" in this video: ruclips.net/video/WBfh2BLdPQw/видео.html . He played the song for the overdub in the movie "The Jerk". ruclips.net/video/wyinJyWUhas/видео.html . He probably used that pick for a softer, smoother sound appropriate for the love song. So consider the felt pick to be an option for special effects.
Thank you for such a nice video!
It's very helpful as you showed lot more options that I've ever thought about. Also when I occasionally visit local guitar shops what I usually focus on (and what is also usually available) are just plain guitar picks of different shapes and thickness. Once I bought a set of Dunlop metal claws, the type which you showed the second in the video however I don't use them.
Building my ukulele technique slowly from the scratch (I switched hands to pick with my left hand due to the health troubles) I decided to stick to a plain guitar pick for the beginning. So I just play alternate picking and basic strumming, I also think it will be helpful if I ever decide to play guitar/electric/bass also left-handed.
By the way, you look very like Russian football player Dmitriy Kombarov :D
I use fender 351 heavy guitar picks, they work great and i have had no problems with them, thanks for the video 👍🇺🇸.
I really like your video. I'm just starting out playing, and strumming is a concern because of the different styles. I played guitar yeas ago and have always used a pick. Seeing that one can use a pick instead of perhaps using the index finger like many ukulele payers do, which I find very awkward by the way, I will practice with the pick. Thank you for clearing this up for me. One question. Is that a tenor or concert ukulele you are playing?
tenor
Old video but still so very relevant. I tried the Alaska picks, but my fingertips turned blue from lack of blood circulation!
I go bare fingers or use a standard pick personally, the callouses on my fingers seem to provide a good tone and I just get louder by putting in more force.
good stuff, thanks!
i like to use a .46 mm nylon pick for that 'flappy' purcussive outcome. but it only comes in white, and I've only seen jim dunlop brand sell it
Point of the felt pick is: To not damage the uke strings....gah-doy! Cuz the nylon and stuff and the hooplah mah strings will get damaged so im on the hunt for felt picks.
+Angel Hurtado Cuz I like using a normal guitar pick but i hate it when i record and you can hear the weird click of it and i hate it, so might consider buying one off my frind
I guess it's just a practice thing but when I try to use picks they just seem to tangle in the strings for me.
the idea of the felt pick is ; the Hawaiians assume the Guitar picks are dangerous for Ukes and the felt pick is supposed to be soft enough like the bare skin of your hands to keep that soft mellow sound.
the Hawaiian pros don't use picks (usually) on the strumming hand
I could be old time and preach against picks, but i think aaron does a good job. however there are some sounds that you just won't get with your fingers.
I have one Uke i flat pick and one i won't touch with them, because i've noticed it definitely reduces string life. Fender light picks are my fave, in combo with the aquila red series low g strings.
Can you use those Alaska picks on a guitar with steel strings. ?
I was trying to find the picks you were talking about for the thumb and fingers. Couldn't quite make out what you were saying. Can you provide me with the exact name of these and sizes. I recently purchased a Baritione and I have to say using a pick on it sounds really good. Thanks for the video Aaron!
no uke picks on that website listed in the description.
Never said there was. I get all my picks from Elderly Instruments. Www.elderly.com
Thanks Aaron. A good comparison for those of us who don't have nice long fingernails. Will the picks do harm or yes, but you don't care(ha!)?
Picks will only do harm to your uke if your technique makes it so. Even fingernails can wreck an uke top if you are careless or lack control. It just takes practice to get used to the them!
Do you ever use the thump pic on the uke to do Merle Travis pickin'?
Yes
Could you actually list the pics you use on here?
in the end he lists them all out loud
Thanks Aaron. I have fingernails that split too easily. I'm still trying to get used the Alaska picks, and sometimes my fingernail isn't long enough to wear it properly. I wonder if you have ever tried the Fred Kelly picks that fit over your nail, instead of under like the Alaska picks?
A very useful topic choice. I play an 8 string tenor uke and while I love the harmonic sound its generally acknowledged as not the best for picking due to unwanted ringing. Any suggestions on what pick might work best with that style of uke? Ps yes like everybody else I went out and bought the obligatory felt uke which gives that useless muddy sound. Somewhere in the world a felt pick maker is laughing his head off.
Would you recommend or even consider applying a stick-on pickguard to help prevent scratches an ruining the finish on the ukulele?
Thank you for the suggestions for picks.Do you have any suggestions for material to learn how to play a baritone ukulele? Just a beginner.
Felt picks are mainly meant for bass guitar
I liked everything about the broad presentation of picks right up until the felt pick shaming. I'm a pretty accomplished player and use either a firm felt pick or a super hard felt pick. With the latter, I get a loud, clear, and rich tone without the twanginess of hard surface metal or plastic pics (think banjo or mandolin). Medium felt picks get floppy and dull pretty fast, but when relatively new give a nice soft harp-like sound that fits some of my material. Flatpicking in general offers many possibilities for following melody. That's why the style is so popular on other American Roots music, like old-time, bluegrass, country, an even modern pop.
Thanks for a very informative video. i have a felt uke pick, too. I don't use it either, but I collect picks. Ergo, that's where it stays, in the collection. I like the looks and idea of Herco picks, but they have many gauges. What gauge Herco thumb pick do you use? And what are the dimensions of your "yogurt" pick? Thanks in advance.
I don't regularly use a herco pick, I prefer my National thumb pick. The yogurt pick is whatever thickness your yogurt container is.
I would like to know the brand and model and size of the uke used to describe the picks.
+Howard Bergh Mya-Moe myrtle tenor.
On the Herco thumb picks I see light, medium, heavy and flex. Which do you prefer?
I have a medium and it works for me!
My index finger is amputated at the first joint just behind the nail bed. Any suggestions for a pick that would extend the reach of my shorty finger?
I would try an Alaska pic with a piece of tape or a high rider pick, if they still make those. You could also use a metal banjo pick but bend it straight out.
To me felt picks are like “thunk thunk thunk”
Honestly thats how fingernails sound to me too
what about the pick made of wool
That is the "felt" pick I am talking about.
Thanku
What about for the claw hammer? My nails shred easily. Are you saying “Alaskan” picks? Thanks.
+Linda Sue no, Alaska pics won't work for Clawhammer. Google Clawhammer picks and you will see lots of options.
Haha
The sides of my fingers hurt
I needed this video
is that concert size?
+TheZortlak Tenor
+Aaron Keim thanks,im planning to buy uke but dont know what to buy actually,should i buy cheap soprano ones(still at least must be 50 dollars) or directly concert size as a beginner?
+TheZortlak You will be very disappointed if you buy a $50 soprano uke. Buy a used Kala or Ohana, concert or tenor size, off eBay and make some music. A $50 soprano is a piece of junk that will not play in tune, sound good or bring you joy.
+Aaron Keim i was thinking to buy Kala Makala sharks(plastic soprano),according to reviews it stays in tune well and sounds good,but you are right i will probably go for Kala ka-c concert.Still not so good but i think it will be enough for beginning.Thanks for helping :)
what ukulele is that?
That was a Mya-Moe, I built it when I worked for that company. Now I build www.thebeansprout.com
Lol my names Aaron also 😂
I know you mentioned felt picks in your video, but is it true that plastic picks ruin and scratch the strings? I'm only a beginner and I want to have a lot of knowledge on various uke playing... stuff I guess lmao. Thank you!
No, plastic picks wont hurt the strings. I use them every day and play hard and the strings are fine.
+Aaron Keim Okay, thank you! I'll probably be looking into these!
What size pik do you use?
I use a medium national thumb pick and medium alaska finger picks.
I'm a beginner and just got my soprano ukulele on the 16th of August and I don't think I'm strumming correctly. I find it hard to strum up and down with my thumb and my index finger. I have yet to try picks. I was wondering what pick you would prescribe for a softer sound. Nothing that would make the Ukulele sound bright or loud. Another thing that I wanted to ask was, is it true that soprano ukuleles are the worst or "crappiest" ones you could get?
No, soprano ukes are not the worst. Any size uke can be good or bad. When I don't use picks, I prefer to just strum down and up with my first finger. If you want to try a pick, just get a thin and light guitar pick and try it out. Whatever works!
Soprano is the traditional size. It's usually brighter and more "ukulele" like. :) Different strokes (sizes) for different folks. Try them all and see what YOU like. Don't let others influence you for or against.
Makayla Kelley I started a week ago on soprano and I'm using a felt pick
so any pick with work?
There isn't a 'correct' way to produce sound with an instrument, just what has been used before, and has been seen to be successful. Teachers may suggest to not learn at the start with a guitar pick since it may limit your strumming hand development at first.
Different musicians use different picks depending on the tone they're looking for (e.g. pick vs. plucking on bass guitar) or the style of music (e.g. finger picking vs finger picks in plastic and metal in folk music). I've used Dunlop tortex in different thicknesses on the uke (orange and blue), and index strumming. Using a pick may wear down the strings faster costing more money, so there are different things to consider.
Don't neglect a style of playing just because it isn't "proper". You might just find the sound you're looking for ^_^
Yogurt pick
Good for beginners
*A
I rather felt picks for ukulele
Felt = round sound close to what the instrument attend to. It's not a banjo nor a buzuki.
*a Ukulele
Depends on how you pronounce ukulele 😉
Mike Farmer sorry, I used to be stupid
I don't need a pick i got 2 thumbs.
Beware of Chinese made Laska fake picks they crack at the tip: 'ALASKA' Picks are the genuine.
Look up Wedgie 3mm picks for flat picking!
an ukulele?? that doesn't sound right
FWIW, pronounce it ookalele. Then it makes sense to use "an"