For players who are serious about improving: bit.ly/handmechanics I'm offering an Accelerated Technique Workshop once a month. Fix the mistakes in your playing with daily practice routines, exercises and a complete understanding of how your fingers, hands and muscles work.

Thank you. I have played for well over 50 years. I don't remember ever being told about the position of the fingers on the pick, or the relationship of how the muscles of the hand and fingers work most efficiently. Great lesson, Sir!

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

That’s great to hear, thank you for your comment and for watching!

Thank you for this video! I just started learning a few days ago and while I saw how to pinch the pick between my finger and thumb, nothing until now mentioned not bending my thumb and making a tight fist. Then you mentioned picking at an angle and everything changed for me already.

I have been playing for about 40 years now and struggled with my guitar pick for maybe 10 years, back then there was no internet, and we had to figure it out ourselves. I couldn't explain it better myself, this is exactly how it should be done, there are really good players that have a different technique. But I would recommend this technique to everyone.I tried just about every guitar pick and using now Jazz 3 or jazz 3 XL depending on the mood. Great lesson!

This is exactly right!

Great video Max! (Great content but please look directly at camera lens for better presentation) I’ve been playing 40 years now with the pick spinning. Now I know the solution, thank you!

Great lesson

Your first point is the most important IMO but all good points. There are so many ways to hold and angle a pick, along with pick styles and thicknesses. Every guitarist gets comfortable with there own way of picking and type of pick to use. I've gone thru years of playing with different types: large picks with three corners, small fender jazz picks, Dunlop jazz picks, standard Fender picks and I've tried several kinds of thumb picks. I currently have 3 different types that I use depending on the song I'm playing. Medium fender picks for strumming, heavy Dunlop Jazz picks for single note picking, and one I modified that's both flexible and small. The latter is for songs with both strumming and single note picking. Thanks for making this video!

I've always struggled with regular tutorials anywhere weather on KZread or in real life people never tell you what the points that matter in your grip are. this is the type of information that people need to be covering, great work honestly love the video. keep it real man

@MaxRichMusic

Ай бұрын

Happy to help!

Hi Max, old guitar teacher here. I'm no longer surprised at how many of my clients need help in choosing and using a pick (plectrum here in the UK!) I really like the way you have given this information. Good common sense well broken down and explained. Well done! Of course there will be individual preferences as personal style develops, but I tend to suggest to my clients that they "try" large triangle 346 style picks -which gives most players 1. easier to hold (your "stay natural). 2. More material - easier to "cover" with straight thumb) 3. Hold a pick-don't grip it (Let it move) 4.Thicker picks (I encourage tm to buy a selection of sizes of Dunlop Tortex large triangles and see which feels best (they usually graduate to the thicker ones - at least 1 m/m ) You've done a great public service to pickers!

Everyone thinks the chord hand is the toughest to teach, it's NOT, holding the pick and finding just the right pick for your style of playing takes some time. Great topic for this video!

@MaxRichMusic

Ай бұрын

Well said! Thanks!

@joeyoungs8426

Ай бұрын

Absolutely. It took years to achieve a picking skill to rival my classically trained right hand.

@shyper17

9 күн бұрын

Chord hand is easy asf hahahah. I'm a beginner but so far the only difficult part on the chord hand are barre chords. The right hand is the issue here, because that is the less used motion in day to day life.

Great info Max 🎶🎶🎶

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Glad you think so!

You smashed it. Thank you. gonna start practicing

@MaxRichMusic

4 күн бұрын

Right on!

Thankyou that helps a lot 😊

@MaxRichMusic

Ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

nice video Max. I am going to try and work on your pick technique because I have been having the slippage problem for some time. I have three acoustic guitars and primarily use a Pickboy ceramic 1.0mm. I have tried many thinner picks of all kinds of material but like the Pickboy best. My guitars are a Martin HD-28, A Taylor 814ce, and a Gibson Hummingbird. The Pickboy works great on all with a deeper tone for all strings.

I have played for a while now, but my picking is very inconsistent. I notice this, especially when I want to do alternate picking. Let's see if your vid helps. I'm gonna try it out now

great vid! thanks

@MaxRichMusic

Ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

I was not covering with my thumb....so I'm going to work on that. Thanks !

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Excellent!

I've thought about these very points a lot more in the last 5 years, but I've played for over 50 years. I think you covered all the bases sir. Very well done. I'm playing with the 3mm Big Stubby these days, but that migrates around as I try new picks.

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! That’s one of my old favorites! Check out Wegen picks if you like the stubby

This is AWESOME - I have played my entire life. I can play with feel and can play multiple genres of music (mostly blues and jazz). I was never happy with my picking hand. I have had some of the best guitar teachers as well. I have asked all of them about how to hold the pick better. They would always just dismiss it and say I sounded fine -don't change it. But this short video was what I was looking for. Within minutes I can feel the difference. This unlocks SO many things for me - thank you!

@MaxRichMusic

13 күн бұрын

That's so awesome to hear...this is exactly why I love teaching and doing these videos. Thanks for the comment and for watching!

I use the Dunlop 205 or the Gravity 3. i actually really need to get some new ones. All my picks are badly worn.

Good stuff Max. New sub

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub!

Hi, I just wanted to say you're a very personable guy and I appreciate the lessons you've made =)

@MaxRichMusic

4 күн бұрын

Glad you like them!

Great advice, thank you very much! I tried some different picks, but my favourite right now is the "normal" Fender Heavy pick. Feels good and sounds good imho. This video is very helpful, thanks again!

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Good choice!

@richardclark.

2 ай бұрын

The boutique pick market can be one of the biggest wastes of money in the guitar industry. There is almost you can in a 10 dollar or 100 dollar pick that you can't find in a pack of a dozen somewhere.

I have noticed this. I lose my skill going down the neck. Practice has taught to let the pick flow a little. Especially when trying to keep up with my right hand

I use Cool heavies. They're white, so easy to see. They have a nice texture for finger & thumb and 3 points. When one point wears, which takes quite some time, rotate to a new point. Thanks for the lesson!

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Very cool!

Hello. Thanks. I know most people curl their forefinger in to be a "ledge" for the pick. I have large hands and long fingers so when curling my finger in that far causes tension. It feels more natural for pick to be on side (sorta maybe between pad and side) of my finger with the finger pointing mostly toward the point of pick. Thumb part I do same as you instruct. Sorry for long post. I guess with long arms and big hands you just gotta figure out what works. So far not having the greatest of luck. Play acoustic mainly. Maybe need a larger body guitar. I have a standard dread now. Large hands and long fingers affect fretting hand too. I cannot put my thumb under the neck (when you need to) in the manner most often taught and end up pointing it toward the headstock a little above fingers since that is only comfortable relaxed position. Directly under the 2nd finger area it's bent really hard and uncomfortable. I have a thin profile neck. Tried thicker/smaller radius and worse. Finally when strumming can't keep my right arm from moving slowly forward as I play until I suddenly realize I'm strumming over the end of fretboard.

Incredible, I came to exact the same conclusions after 1 year of playing. Great to know that ''my style'' of picking is right.

@brusselssprouts560

2 ай бұрын

Great advice.I use a Dunlop Mini Stubby 1.0mm. It is durable and great for getting pinch harmonics with, but is also very accurate and seems to respond to soft playing or digging in. It is a great all rounder.

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Great to hear!

awsoooooooome video. thanks

@MaxRichMusic

13 күн бұрын

Glad you liked it!

You explain things very well. Clear and concise. Thanks!

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate the comment

Thank you for the clear explanation of these very important principles. Would you also recommend a thicker pick with a sharper point for acoustic guitar? Does it depend on the sound you're going for, or the type of playing (strumming vs. more lead playing)?

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

With acoustic you can get away with a slightly more rounded tip. Unless you’re doing a lot of Al Di Meola style acoustic shredding.

@MVWDave

2 ай бұрын

@@MaxRichMusic Thank you.

John Frusciante uses .6 orange dunlop tortex picks. You definitely don’t need a thick heavy pick to be a great player or a good tone.

@rustythoughts

2 ай бұрын

Paul Gilbert also uses thin picks, for many years also using the 0.6 orange Dunlop Tortex, and more recently using 0.5 custom picks.

@fenderlead1

2 ай бұрын

@@rustythoughts when I pre-ordered his “Behold Electric Guitar “CD I got some of his signature picks. I don’t know how he does it… But then again I don’t know how he does 99.98% of what he does so I just strap in and enjoy the ride lol

@joeyoungs8426

Ай бұрын

I’ve been using the red 0.5mm for decades. I have a few that are years old and they all have the curve of my thumb baked in. The perfect pick for me.

@andreasfetzer7559

19 күн бұрын

Imagine how John could sound if he would use a good thick pick.

@blakeburns8688

19 күн бұрын

@@andreasfetzer7559 the issue is he would have less control his dynamics of being able to pick softly vs hard. He uses a boss CE-1 which has a preamp which when it hits its “peak” it breaks up, and when picked softly does not hit that peak and remains a clean tone. A thick pick is great if you want more even dynamics.

Darts don't require precision. My brother yelled no matter where I hit him?

@dalek6779

2 ай бұрын

😂

re: moving pick in the hand....covering the pick with index finger AND thumb, good advice.....never knew this; however, one issue that arises when this happens (i've tried it the way you suggest) is that my index finger scrapes the strings inadvertently and REALLY screws up the sense of rhythm. i'm assuming too much index finger is exposed on the bottom of the pick? TIA

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, most likely your index finger isn't going across at a perpendicular angle to the pick, but more like a 45 degree angle. This leaves the tip of the finger closer to the tip of the pick which can cause contact. If you can get the index to basically mirror the thumb you should be able to avoid that.

Just started using Dunlop Gloss Flow 3.0 mm picks. After 40 years, I might have just found the right ones.

My fav shredding pick is Dunlop Tortex 0.5mm

My GOD I wish I seen this 2 years ago! This video is way underviewed. Your doing the Lord's work here THANK YOU!

@MaxRichMusic

4 күн бұрын

Wow, thank you!

Nice lesson! What's your opinion on pinky contact with the bridge?

@MaxRichMusic

2 күн бұрын

I assume you mean straightening your pinky to rest on the bridge? That’s a hard no in my book because it forces you to continuously strain your hand muscles in order to keep the pink straight, which leads to fatigue and less relaxation.

@Edward-MTBKR

Күн бұрын

@@MaxRichMusic OK Max, thanks for the advice! I was recently experimenting with resting the pinky as a way to know where my pick was in relation to the strings. I can take it or leave it.

Dunlop Primetone 1.3 semi round

Great. So, at least I now know that I have to completely change my pick grip / thumb picking position. I guess it won't take more than a couple of years to get used to it. 👍

@MaxRichMusic

Ай бұрын

All changes to technique can seem daunting, but using the right practice strategy you can implement anything really quickly.

@localbod

Ай бұрын

@@MaxRichMusic Thanks for the advice. Having realised that I suffer from some of the issues you outlined, I am determined to adjust my technique and practice until it becomes second nature.

I use a 1.20mm pick, a plastic one by the brand ALice, is it okay to use? Im a beginner in guitar

@MaxRichMusic

4 күн бұрын

definitely!

Should the pick sit across the first segment of your index finger or should the index finger point toward the end of the pick?

@MaxRichMusic

13 күн бұрын

The index shouldn't point toward the pointy end of the pick...that will make the contact point in the center instead of spread out across the whole pick.

.88mm tortex Flow. Sometimes go up to a 1mm .

Although I do hold the pick naturally and don’t bend my thumb, one of the greatest guitarists ever, Frank Zappa not only held the pick “unnaturally” with his thumb, but he constantly also flexed his thumb while he picked. I’ve actually never seen anybody pick in such a way. It seemed to require a huge amount of effort. And yet he was a fantastic guitarist. Watch some videos of his playing and you will see what I mean.

A pointy pick gives a bright tone where a rounded pick gives a fatter, fuller tone like for jazz.

it worked , thank you dad !

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

hahaha thats awesome

There are other videos saying the opposite to this, how do you know who is correct?

@richardclark.

2 ай бұрын

Buy grabbing your guitar and trying it both ways. Lol.

@sergeantdef.3572

2 ай бұрын

This man is doing it thr right way.. But i also think..hold a pick the way you feel the most comfortable.. I think everybody hold the pick a bit different.. I have seen many people hold it as a fist.. Me..i hold it the way this video tells..

I've used the Dunlop .60mm Shark Fin Guitar picks for many years. Please let me know your thoughts on using them. BTW: I also use the standard Dunlop .60mm Sand Grips. Love them both. I do already follow your ways of holding the pick. Thank you for confirming that! ,;-)

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

As I say in the. Video I’m not a fan of thin picks because it’s too hard to predict when the flex will give out and the pick will break through the string. That said, the shark pick is a cool shape that I’ve used in the past

Nothing wrong with a flexed thumb, actually an extended thumb will need more force to stabilize the pick because it's in a weaker position which will result on more tension on the hand, not saying your method is wrong, the hand should be relaxed, but everyone needs to find their own grip.

There's no right or wrong way - staying natural is the key (as mentioned). Bending the thumb or not, the angle of pick attack, pick thickness, pick material, etc don't matter. Many guitar players use weird positions (see kzread.info/dash/bejne/nIaaqMOTh8rHdrA.html) Bonus: Matteo Mancuso doesn't use a pick and shreds like hell with amazing accuracy and dynamics.

but if you tilt the pick it will no longer swing 7:11

Sorry I don’t agree. Most great guitarists don’t use the pointy end of the pick. It’s to brittle and bright. Picking is very individualistic. No two players pick exactly the same. It takes time to find what works but one thing is It comes from the wrist and not the arm for speed.

I got different Plectrums for different songs,,,aint just ONE gonna work

Tip number one: Call it a plectrum.

@gunsofsteele

2 ай бұрын

Ain't got no time for those big, fancy words. We's got picking and grinning to do. ✌️

@davidjohns4745

2 ай бұрын

@@gunsofsteele If there’s more than one you can call them Plectra if that’s better for you.

Real plastic and real bone, Big buttons and loose change, Tighter fit than a Pringle chip, Uber factories Uber home made. For Numero 1 the other hand, The middle finger Mr Sand Man, You say pick, no sir plectrum I say, Gotta be good stamped with a name. So I tuned in to tune out, No such thing a KZread fail, Yet now I’m totally lost, Because I play with my nails.

I have never used a pick. Try growing your nails.

@MaxRichMusic

2 ай бұрын

I've had nails for 20 years and have played classical guitar professionally for that entire time.

So, Pat Metheny is a very bad guitarist……

@MaxRichMusic

Ай бұрын

definitely not

All you did was talking.

@101proguitarist

Ай бұрын

Yeah, what do you want him to do? Sing the lesson??? 💀

You talk too much

There is no right or wrong way to hold your pick. It’s what works for you. Go and have a look at marty friedmans technique. His is one of the strangest. But it works for him. If you can execute your chops in the strangest ways. Then good for you. Do not follows others just because they say you should. See what works for you and what makes it easier for you to go up and down the strings. It’s very simple. Just play and have fun. The minute you analyse how you’re playing, the fun goes right out the window. I should know. So you go and have fun being your own unique self. God Bless.