help! i have never learned to use or hold a plectrum.

[Oldrottenhead]

holding or even using a plectrum is beyond my ken. i just don't know how to hold one properly. usually after a couple of strums they go flying across the room. and i can't get them to sound right on the strings.

all my life i have strummed or picked with my thumb.

over the years folk have tried to show me how to use one, all to no avail.

can someone give me some simple and basic pointers.

[alfstone]

can someone give me some simple and basic pointers.

You have just to blow into it... 

Alfredo

[ODH]

can someone give me some simple and basic pointers.

You have just to blow into it... 

Alfredo

That's wierd, my first thought was "you just put your lips together and blow"

I've always found it quite hard (plectrumming, I mean).  They keep flying out of my fingers mid song.  Slippery buggers.

[Farrell Jackson]

ORH, since you're comfortable strumming and picking the guitar with your thumb, maybe a thumb pick would work for you? They can be a bit rigid and they will reposition your strumming/picking hand but with some practice it might work for you. Since it's attached to your thumb you wouldn't have to worry about it flying across the room. I use one now and then but it takes me a song or two to get reacquainted with it. The late Toy Caldwell (Marshall Tucker Band) was quite good at playing rhythm and lead with his bare thumb and with a thump pick. If your bare thumb works just go with that or you might try a thumb pick. Just a suggestion.

Farrell

[Oldrottenhead]

i have a few thumb picks but again the problem is the sound they make on the strings.

[Hilary]

I found the thickness was the key . . .

I don't use them anymore now I play a uke but I used to like a really thin one - found some thin, bendy ones online with a textured grip at the top .38mm (I think haven't got my glasses on) - if you're keen I'll dig out a link for you.

I believe you need a thicker pick for electric guitars.

[Mike_S]

I'd say if you really wanted to play with a pick, yes the thinner type might be the answer - but the plus side of not using a pick if you found it more natural you would be in the minority that has a slightly different sound and sometimes sounds really nice - blimey... listen to Mark Knopfler... i don't think he uses a pick at all but i could be wrong. I think he just uses his fingers for picking and strums gently with the thumb.

[bruno]

http://basicsofguitar.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/how-to-hold-pickplectrum-when-strumming.html

[alfstone]

I found the thickness was the key . . .

I agree.

Alfredo

[cuthbert]

Here's how I do it (as I sit with guitar in hand):

Start with a medium gauge pick (plectrum). More about this later...

Curl your index finger so it's sort of a C shape, but with the end of the finger pointing generally in the direction of your guitar bridge. Place the plectrum with your thumb so it's partially over the last joint, with a little overlapping the second bone and most of the end bone. Your plectrum tip should be about perpendicular to the guitar body, and as you look down, the flat side of the plectrum should be facing your line of vision.

Squeeze the plectrum just tight enough to hold it in place, and then strum the strings. If it flies out, squeeze it just a little tighter - not too tightly - and try again.

Once you can strum smoothly without losing your grip or fatiguing your hand too much, then see if a lighter or heavier plectrum gauge is more suitable for you. I've found that I like mediums the best as they can be used well for both strumming and plucking notes. I find I use a looser grip when strumming, and slightly tighter when plucking. Also, there's an almost subconscious slight adjustment of the index finger when I pluck with the plectrum.

But every now and then a plectrum will fly free. Don't sweat it.

All that said, it's perfectly valid to use your thumb or fingers if that works for you. Personally, I never use a pick on a uke (don't care for the clacking)...just my fingers.