How to Pick a Pick
Have you ever wondered what guitar pick to use, and is there one that gives you an edge? So many people are divided on this subject. There are many answers and the truth is there a different ones for different situations, as well as what your preference is. Today I want to talk about how to play faster. Have you ever wondered how these insane players play super fast?
How to Play Faster
The first answer is practice, practice, and play scales about 1 million times. There is a way that many players miss. It involves your pick. There are thin picks all the way to thick. the thinner the pick the brighter the sound and the thicker the pick the darker the sound. It works in the same way as light gauge strings to medium gauge strings. Many do not use a pick thick enough to play faster. Are there exceptions and people who can prove the opposite? Yes, there are exceptions to the rule. What many people overlook are the simple things. In this situation one step to this is your pick. The players that play faster use thicker picks.
Understanding Pick Gauge
Why is this? When using a thin pick it is easier to bend the pick. What this causes is for the pick to slightly hesitate when going over the strings. However, your hand has already past the string ready to play the next note but your pick has not past over the string yet. As you might think this causes some trouble wanting to play a series of faster picking. The solution is to use a thicker pick.
A thicker pick, when striking the strings, does not hesitate when passing over and stays exactly where you hand is. What does this allow? Well, your hand and pick stay exactly in sync and your pick will not be behind. So where your hand is your pick is. This allows you to know exactly what your playing without a delay. Imagine having headphones and you are playing to a band but there is a delay in your headphones. You have to play with them but there is a few seconds of delay. So you have to play anticipating that delay. This is really hard to do even if you are really good.
Dunlop Big Stubby Pick
I recommend the Dunlop Big Stubby Picks, 3.0mm. It is a purple pick. There are many options but this is my favorite so far. If you are not accustom to this it can be a little different and harder to play but the results are worth it! When you are playing those faster picking songs especially in the world of soloing this makes the difference. I have always said getting that edge does not take something big or expensive but is often very small and simple.
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