Holding the pick

[Dimebag]

This is for all the more experienced members. Ive been playing for a few years, and i play heavy stuff, thrashy, a lot of shred (well, as much as i can play, im not quite up to Mr. Batio's standards yet). I just wanted to know how you giuys holf your pics, because i think i hold mine in a bad way. I can play just fine, and pretty fast, but after playing for a few hours, the joint in my fingers, especially my middle finger feel really stiff and a bit painful. Im scared of gettin arthritis or some *** like that, that would *** because it would mean no more shredding for me. I dont make a pivot point with my fiongers, which is what a lot of people say yoiu should do, i hae my thumb ans my 1st and 2nd fingers holding the pick, the 3rd and 4th fingers just sort of tuck themselves into my hand, in the same shape the other 2 fingers are in, so my hand is sort of in a loose fist. I tried other techniques, and making pivot points and just using my thumb and 1st finger to hold it and all, but i just cant play as well that way. Should i try to change my technique? And if so, what should i be doing to stop myself getting arthritis?

Much obliged, y'all

[WyldeStallion]

I dont know how u can play like that lol i have tried but i can only hold the pick with my first finger and thumb, anything else is just really uncomfortable. Anyway tomorrow i will post a pick of how i hold my pick because its hard to describe and its not a prefered way of doing it but it works for me. Dont worry about arthritis, when ur hand gets sore u have to stop and think wot u are doing wrong and maybe its best to pick up a new way of holding ur pick.

[Blondie]

Dimebag...Could You also post a pic of how You hold Your pick??

[Dimebag]

Please excuse the quality of the pics, only the cam isnt a very good one

[Blondie]

Can't really say what's wrong, from the pics it looks ok.
How firm do You hold the pic?? Could You loosen Your grip a little??

[El-Ahrairah]

I think that basically everyone has their own unique way of holding the pick, there is no right way just lots of them. I mean Marty friedman holds the pick in a really awkward angle which is totally bizzarre but it works from him.
From those pictures it looks to me fine, maybe the reason it hurts when youve been playing for a few hours is because "youve been playing for a few hours" its like if doing something repetative for a long time youre gonna run into injury, just take breaks more often. Also if you feel pain stop! I can't stress this enough.

[Dimebag]

OK, cheers, i just wasnt sure if i was doin g something wrong. You get loads of people on internet forums claiming they know the 'proper' way to hold it, i was just worried i was gonna do some damage or something. Thanks guys, this is reassuring

[Succubus]

Yeah if it starts to hurt for god's sake stop. Don't try to puch through it because you could end up getting RSI or carpal tunnel. And believe me, RSI is really not fun. I had it from playing cello when I was 15 and it took over a year, a lot of visits to the chiropractor and many Alexander Technique lessons, and a great cello teacher to get me out of it again. When it hurts just go and get a drink or something for a few minutes and then come back to it. Also make sure you're not tensing up anywhere else in your body when you're playing, check your shoulders, back, and especially your neck. If any of those get tense while you're playing it can manifest itself in your arms, wrists and hands. Stay loose and relaxed

[Luke]

Dimebag said:

OK, cheers, i just wasnt sure if i was doin g something wrong. You get loads of people on internet forums claiming they know the 'proper' way to hold it, i was just worried i was gonna do some damage or something. Thanks guys, this is reassuring

The way you hold a pick is fine, mines really strange because i'm double jointed in my thumb so I sometimes have my thumb bent backwards while holding it I belive there is no "proper" way to hold pick. There are basic rules that make things easyer but alot of it is based on whats comfortable to you.

[reid]

i agree with everyone else on the idea that there is no 'correct way' to pick... if you're up to trying something new though, try holding the pick with only your index finger and thumb, and let the rest of your fingers relax, sort of arched over the strings (or above the body, depending on where you're playing). i used to pick very similarly to you, but i eventually found it much easier to play fast with more control like this.

again, thats just a suggestion... the most important part is that it feels comfortable to you.

[Adji]

I used to hold my pick like that unitl a few months ago. Learn to hold the pick 'the proper way' between youre thumb and the side of your first finger. Seriously, it take s a few hours to get used to but after that it rlly improvedmy playing.

[Dimebag]

Hmmm. Well, its worth a shot, especially since you say it makes such a big improvement. Il give it a try, thanks

[Adji]

No problem man, study the way Vai holds his pick, iwas told its 'the proper way' by a friends guitar teacher and it has definitly made an impriovement.

[Philip]

I like to hold the pick like Rusty Cooley ;D

[Dimebag]

I tried that, but the only way i can play is as i do. Using your fingers as an anchor on the guitar really limits your hand movement, and i dont like that. The only thing is, i have to keep making my arm relax when im pushing my speed, it gets tense too easily