Using a pick vs fingers in the beginning

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa McCormick : Guitar Teacher on May 31, 2010 at 3:15pm

Hi. Susie,
Welcome to the guitar!

I too usually advise my beginner students to try to start out using a pick, but once in a while someone really does feel significantly more comfortable with their fingers.

My rule of thumb (uh-oh - mixing metaphors here?) is that if you are learning strumming as a technique, it's best to try to get used to the pick, as that will keep more options open for you in the future.

If you're headed towards fingerstyle playing, then the pick can go.

Hope this helps!

Best wishes with your guitar journey, Lisa

Permalink Reply by susi Lawson on June 1, 2010 at 12:27pm

Yes, I want to learn finger style and it is what my instructor uses, but he still says I have to use a pick, I will keep practicing and hope to get more comfortable with it, Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Dianne-Jaye on May 31, 2010 at 4:07pm

Hi Susi, I'm new to playing, too and found the pick very hard to get used to. Lisa's advice here sounds very sensible. I can "trick" myself into using the pick by allowing myself some "play" time outside of practice, just to mess around with the guitar and befriend it, without the pick. Then when it's time to get down to business with the dern pick, I feel a bit more comfortable, little by little. Perhaps others will comment that this approach is a mistake. I don't know, but it helps me, as long as I keep on practicing with the pick, too. Eventually you may need a pick for something and be glad you know how to use it... sort of like another tool in the toolkit. That's what I've been told. Best to you! Dianne

Permalink Reply by susi Lawson on June 1, 2010 at 12:25pm

Yes, sort of what I do, I play the song with my fingers and then practice with the pick, more to please the teacher as I do want to make sure I follow his instruction! Thanks!

Permalink Reply by George Callier on May 31, 2010 at 4:44pm

Greetings Susi, I just turned one month old as a newbie acoustic guitar player. My teacher and I spent the first 4 lessons using fingers only and just last we we started with the pick and strumming. Yes a agree with you Susi I'm also more comfortable using fingers vs the pick. Seems like I have more control when I'm using my fingers. As Dianne shared the pick is another tool that we'll will need as we grow and learn more. Remember the key is practice practice and more practice. And most important have fun! George

Permalink Reply by susi Lawson on June 1, 2010 at 12:24pm

So true, good to learn both, Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Newbie Dean on May 31, 2010 at 5:21pm

Hey... I'm a 1-year newbie and find that I use BOTH. There are some songs I play that I definitely feel better, and sound better, with my thumb and fore-finger for down- and up-stroke strumming. But I also find that there are other songs that I feel are easier and more comfortable with a pick. To me it depends on the song. The picks I use are EXTRA soft that my coach makes for me out of plastic coffee can lids. The softness takes the harshness out of the "string slap". I'm working on being able to strum, up and down, with my thumb. I have a hard time with the up stroke. The side of my thumb hangs up on the upper E-string and gives me a harsh "twang" that I don't like. But the best advice I've recdeived is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!!! Dean

Permalink Reply by susi Lawson on June 1, 2010 at 12:24pm

I will keep practicing! Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Donna Zitzelberger on May 31, 2010 at 5:36pm

I'm on board with Lisa here. I've had three students in the almost 9 years I've been teaching that just sounded horrible using a pick. With the very first one, I worked and worked and worked again to try and help him; but there was no success. I finally one day said to throw the pick on the floor and taught him to strum with his fingers and fingerpick. OMG! He was an outstanding player! Since then I have two more students who had the same issue and I immediately got rid of the pick. I don't ever look at it black and white though, because as Lisa said - if you can use a pick, it will keep more options open for you. One student who stopped using a pick is turning into a classical player and the other plays everything; -- and he did eventually pick up a pick (sorry couldn't resist) and started playing lead guitar stuff.

Personally, I prefer my fingers -- but my passion is fingerstyle and classical. I also really like strumming with my fingers. I feel a better sense of playing when I can directly feel the strings. However, I am very glad I am proficient with a pick because there is a lot of music that sounds great with a pick.

Permalink Reply by susi Lawson on June 1, 2010 at 12:23pm

Yes, right now I am learning "Single Girl, Married Girl" and when I use a pick it sounds stiff and forced and when I use my thumb it sounds natural and flows more easily. I do want to progress to finger picking , so I guess it just feels more comfortable.
Thanks for the comment!

Permalink Reply by Denny Baer on May 31, 2010 at 9:46pm

My short opinion, learn to use the pick at the same time as you're learning the chords. Getting use to a pick doesn't take that long.

Is your problem holding the pick? If so try different picks. I tried cat tongue picks and gorilla snot. I even drilled small holes in picks as grips. Then I sent for an acoustic sample pack of V-Picks, They slip slightly if my fingers are cold, but once my fingers warm up no slipping. I used to strum with my fingers becouse of picks slipping. I use a pick most of the time now but still put the pick down on a few songs and strum with my fingers.

Permalink Reply by Ron Lane on June 1, 2010 at 6:51am

I think you should do what your teacher tells you to do. That is why your taking lessons in the first place. Either trust in them or find another teacher and after a month I think it's too soon to switch teachers.
Everybody needs to know how to use a pick. So get comfortable with one then move on to the fingers.
Teachers, like Doctors, don't really like it when you tell them something based on "Internet advice" even if its good advice.
At best the internet is screen to screen while a teacher is face to face thus adding the human element.
For the time being I'd listen to the teacher.

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