[Beginner Guitar Talk] -Choosing a pick-

Hello

This is sukuta takafumi (@sukutakafumi).
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sukutakafumi

Today, I would like to talk to beginners about how to choose your own picks. I made a video about this on Youtube as well. I’d be happy if you could subscribe to the channel.

○ About the shape and material of the pick

• Shape

  Teardrops, triangles, smaller picks like JAZZ III and more.

• Material

  Celluloid, Delrin, Nylon, Tortoiseshell, Metal, Stone, etc. There are so many that you won't get bored when you start bringing them up. And each has its advantages and different timbres. Simply put, the look and sound match to some extent. If it's slippery, it makes a bright, light sound, and if it's a rough, dull pick, it has a mad texture and a cloudy sound.

○ How to choose

• If you can go to a physical musical instrument store, make sure it fits your hand in terms of size and shape.

  I think it is standard to hold the pick with your thumb and forefinger, but the important point is whether it feels wrong in terms of the size and texture of the pick when you hold it. If you feel it's too big or too small, try another pick. You can't actually play it, so it's all about the feeling. Even if the sound is good, one that doesn't fit you will not be used even if it is used by the player you admire most. If you are a beginner, I think it is honest to say that you do not understand the feeling yet, so I recommend you to buy it and try using it for the time being. Size has a lot to do with the ease of playing.

  ・Small things

  It's easy to make small turns, so it's easy to play short phrases or fast phrases.

  ・Large ones

  It's hard to turn around, but it gives you a sense of security when you hold it and the tone is rounded.

• Check the thickness and material of the pick again

  The thickness of the pick directly affects the softness and sound of the pick.

  ・Thick

  Generally, it is hard and does not bend easily. The sound tends to be thicker (the strings can be played firmly and easily).

  ・Thin

  It is soft and has great flexibility. The softer the sound, the thinner the sound (it is difficult to catch the strings from the core), but it is suitable for playing that exposes the surface of the strings such as strokes.

  It is not about which pick is the best one. Rather it is necessary to choose the pick according to the genre and situation of the music to be played and change between them flexibly. Of course, good players can handle it without having to change the pick, but in recording etc., the picks are changed depending on the situation with other band sounds in order to produce the target sound.

• Look at the tip of the pick to see if it is sharp or round

  The sound changes depending on whether the tip is sharp or round.

  ・Sharp

  The sound is sharp and the sound is slightly thin. The sharpness means that the contact area with the strings is small, so the string sounds are separated well, so it is suitable for playing fast phrases. In addition, it is easy to produce high-pitched sounds, and it is easy to play picking harmonics.

  ・Round

  The sound is round and the sound feels thicker. You can feel the warmth of the sound when compared to sharp picks. When playing jazz, many players choose a thick pick with a rounded tip.

• Check if the pick is warped

  You will want to be careful when you go to the store and choose. Due to long-term inventory, the pick may be warped due to aging, so if you are not sure, it is better to hold it with other picks and check it. If you don't really care, and buy it because you think it's okay, it may be harder to play than you expected and you may regret it. Also, if you practice with a bent pick, you will get a strange habit and there is nothing good in that.

○ Author's general comment

I wrote only briefly, but the selection of picks is surprisingly profound, and the points that each player is particular about are different. But anyway, by buying a lot of picks and going through a lot, you will find a pick that suits you. Unlike expensive equipment such as effectors, each pick costs only about 100 yen. So if you're curious about a certain pick, you can buy it and try it. Also, many players don’t settle on only one type, and those who play various genres, and those who play acoustic guitar and electric guitar may choose the pick that suits them for each genre or instrument.

The pick used by the author is

・Electric

Fender Heavy / Teardrop, Triangle
Fender Medium / Teardrop, Triangle

・Acoustic guitar

Fender Heavy / Teardrop, Triangle
Fender Medium / Teardrop, Triangle
Fender Thin / Teardrop, Triangle
Tortoiseshell

▼ The following equipment is used in the review video.
Guitar: Gibson 1963 J-50

In addition, I, Takafumi Sukuta, am looking for manufacturers and individual builders who can loan me equipment for review videos and creating articles.