Guitar pick

A guitar pick is a type of plectrum designed for use on a guitar. Over time people have made picks of various materials, including nylon, plastic, rubber, felt, tortoiseshell, exotic wood, metal, and stone. The most often take the shape of an acute isosceles triangle with the two equal corners very rounded and the third corner rounded to a lesser extent. This shape is, however, merely one of many used by manufacturers.

Related Topics:
Plectrum - Guitar - Nylon - Plastic - Rubber - Felt - Tortoiseshell - Exotic wood - Metal - Stone - Isosceles triangle

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Guitar picks come in varying thicknesses to accommodate the different playing styles and kinds of strings. Thinner plectra are more flexible and tend to offer a wider range of sounds, from soft to loud, and produce a "click" that emphasizes the attack of the picking. However, some argue that heavier picks produce a brighter tone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In rock and metal music, while playing electric guitar with hi-gain amplification or distortion, it is generally assumed that thinner picks produce muddier, heavier, less controllable sound and thicker picks produce more delicate, more controlled and well-shaped tone. Thus, thinner picks are usually used in extreme genres, such as death metal, black metal or punk rock and thicker picks in more discreet genres, such as heavy metal or power metal. However, there are many exceptions from these rules.

Related Topics:
Rock - Metal music - Electric guitar - Death metal - Black metal - Punk rock - Heavy metal - Power metal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Whether there is truth in either judgement is up to the individual's opinion, and the choice is entirely a matter of personal preference.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Picks will normally have small protusions to make them easier to keep hold of if the fingers start to sweat (very common on stage due to the hot lights). Some picks (as illustrated) will have a high-friction coating to help the player hold on to them. The small perforations in the stainless steel pick serve the same function. Many players will often have spare picks attached to a microphone stand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Picks made out of steel will produce a much brighter sound than plastic ones. They do however wear the strings quickly and can easily damage the finish on the guitar if used for strumming - especially on acoustic guitars.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The equilateral pick can often be much easier for beginners to hold.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The shark's fin pick can be used in two ways - normally employing the blunt end or the small perturbations can be raked across the strings producing a much fuller chord.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bass players who use a pick will normally use much heavier picks than guitar players. Many bass players find that coins make excellent picks.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Picks are usually grabbed with two fingers ? thumb and index, and are played with pointed end facing the strings. That's the most natural way to do it. However, it's a matter personal preference and many notable musicians use alternate grips. For example, Eddie Van Halen holds the pick between his thumb and middle finger; James Hetfield and Steve Morse hold a pick using 3 fingers - thumb, middle and index; Pat Metheny holds a pick normally, but plays using the rounded side of the plectrum.

Related Topics:
Eddie Van Halen - James Hetfield - Steve Morse - Pat Metheny

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~