Picking Through: Choosing Guitar Picks
Small Tool Detailed Consequences
Guitar picks are probably the most overlooked component to playing guitar. These things are so small and any player seems to lose or misplace thousands of them in a lifetime.
How can such a small tool have so many consequences?
Over the years guitar picks have been made from everything that is wood, bone, plastic, rubber, felt, and even stone.
The manufactured modern guitar pick came popular in the 1920s.
They most often take an isosceles triangle shape, yet manufacturers have experimented with all sorts of shapes. Picks have their beginnings when guitarists filed down wood and bone to a shape that worked best for their particular needs.
Guitar picks are usually held between thumb and index finger with the sharp edge out, yet do what ever feels right. The actual motion of the pick depends on personal choice and the style you’re playing.
Does Guitar Pick Thickness Really Matter?
Thin picks are best used in hi amplified music. Thinner guitar picks create a less controllable sound. Metal players often used the thinnest picks. These picks all allow greater control when playing heavier gauged strings though often wear out at a much faster rate, accordingly how then.
Thicker picks are ideal for delicate playing or for an emphasis on shaping tone. These picks are preferred by Jazz players.
Plastic Picks
Most picks are made from some kind of plastic. Material will determine flexibility and stiffness.
The first plastic picks were celluloid. Though not as often used today, these guitar picks create a vintage sound while strangely being very flammable.
Ultem is a space age plastic material which the stiffest picks are made from. These often produce a noticeable brighter tone. Even mandolin players use this pick.
Tortex (also Delrex) have good resistance towards sweaty fingers.
Nylon guitar picks often have a very smooth surface and wear out within two months. One should make sure to get plenty of spares if you are drawn to these.
Glossy Lexan plastic guitar picks also has a high friction resistance. This pick is ideal for those with peanut butter fingers!
Other Guitar Picks
Often making a brighter sound, metal picks often made from steel wear the strings down much more quickly, while also potentially wearing away a guitar’s finish. Another good characteristic is there durability.
Guitar picks also are made from exotic materials. Comprised of rare hardwoods, Lignum Vitae have a thickness of 2-3 mm. These guitar picks also are saturated with their own natural oil. Overall, these create a unique sound yet keep an eye on these because they are not as cheap.
Made from gemstone, Agate guitar picks are completely not flexible, which on the other handsome players believe this material resonates the strings more completely.
Overall, guitar picks not made from plastic are truly esoteric. Your typical player should stick with medium range flexible plastic!
Other Shapes
As mentioned before guitar picks are not limited to the isosceles triangle. John Pearse picks are tear shaped that can be used for any stringed instrument. Three way picks exist under different brand names that allow the player to hold the pick at variable angles. Some picks are rounded with texture on the actual pick to help in gripping. Other picks are designed for convenience like the Paxton guitar pick, which has a hole in the middle so one can string guitar strings through them. Other choices include ones with straps or even double bladed for extra intense detailed playing. Often those with sharper edges or with more then one sharp edge end up ideal for soloing. The sharks fin pick uniquely allows the player two choices. When chording, one can drag the blunt end of the pick over the strings to create a much fuller chord sound. Lastly equal lateral picks are often the easiest for beginners while sharp edge picks create a more malleable motion.
Pick Those Strings
Surprisingly, the world of guitar picks is vast where detail rules as king. Hopefully, with this information you can now choose the pick that best suits your style and personal preference.
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