All Questions
53 questions
12
votes
11
answers
2k
views
Lots of pick movement
I have always had trouble controlling pick movement while strumming. Gripping tighter on a pick causes tension in my playing and I am wondering if anyone has some tips for me? Picks have always felt ...
- 231
1
vote
0
answers
157
views
Soloing using the G Major and A Minor Arpeggio
I am learning how to solo using chord tones. As of now I am experimenting with the G Major Triad and the A Minor Triad. I play through the notes then resolve on one of the G Major Chord tones. How ...
- 77
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Soft or hard pick for funk 16ths?
I'm trying to get into funk with my electric guitar and am currently practicing keeping the 16ths rhythm and learn keeping a loose wrist. I usually play with a thick pick ("fender heavy"), ...
- 1,817
3
votes
5
answers
311
views
How do I hold/use a pick
Seriously. Most people say between the thumb and index coming out the side of your thumb, but I keep messing up, hitting wrong strings, bad rhythm/timing, etc. Any other ways of holding a pick or ...
- 101
7
votes
9
answers
2k
views
Do I handicap my guitar learning by deemphasizing learning to use a pick?
Been playing guitar for a few months now and for the last month I've started trying to use a pick since most people (including the best guitarists) do and while it's useful for alternate picking, pick ...
- 101
2
votes
2
answers
525
views
Claw-like gloves to simulate pick when playing fingerstyle?
I am wondering if clawed gloves would be able to reproduce the sound of a pick when playing fingerstlye.
1
vote
6
answers
1k
views
The proper right-hand picking technique for playing the electric guitar
When I was taking electric guitar lessons for a year I was told, by my former teacher, that the pick should be parallel to strings at all times and so he insisted on it.
The other thing he was very ...
- 53
0
votes
2
answers
116
views
I'm trying to understand sus2 sus4 chords over a rock progresion(powerchords)
I only have a limited knowledge of music theory.
One thing i dont fully understand is tension resolve and also the role of the third for tension resolve over powerchordprogression(powerchords only ...
- 25
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What are these weird Doritos picks that Daron Malakian uses?
What are these weird triangle picks? I have never seen ones like these before. You can see them on the mic stand.
- 15k
1
vote
5
answers
432
views
How to make a slow melodic solo sound beautiful
I’ve listen to many songs where there’s a lead guitar part that is very slow and not that impressive, but the song sounds amazing, But when I try to play them they just sound like some notes and not ...
- 477
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What is the meaning of these lines connecting notes?
I am trying to use a software called guitar pro to copy the sheet music and play the tracks. I am currently stuck in this track as I am not able to understand what does the dot and the little symbol ...
13
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Lead guitar improvisation strategies for young intermediate guitarists
One of my 15 year old students is progressing quite nicely in her ability, including playing live and playing learned guitar parts including lead lines. She reads music and can play many classical and ...
- 303
1
vote
5
answers
198
views
Any ideas for soloing on guitar?
So far I have known 3 pentatonic shapes, I don't just run it up and down when soloing but I don't think it's a good solo. I've heard about harmony, target notes, chords, one pentatonic per chord but I ...
- 23
1
vote
1
answer
484
views
Anyone else have a noise issue with thicker (~9mm) picks?
I watched a video from Rob Scallon on Purple Plectrums, and in his video they looked and sounded great. However, I purchased one of theirs, a 9mm model and I was very confused. I loved the feel of it, ...
- 1,125
3
votes
2
answers
323
views
guitar picking noise
Quick question! When I am strumming on my acoustic guitar and I record myself playing, I can easily hear my guitar pick. It almost sounds like when you mute all the strings and just strum but not ...
- 31
8
votes
3
answers
525
views
Why are tortoise-shell picks prized?
As a mandolin player, I have discovered that the type of pick (plectrum) one uses makes a noticeable difference to the sound. I personally prefer thick (1mm) plastic picks, like Golden Gate, to get a ...
- 774
62
votes
8
answers
7k
views
Why does string strummed with finger sound different from the one strummed with pick?
What is the physical reason for difference in sound when using fingers instead of pick and vice versa?
- 745
3
votes
2
answers
402
views
Alternate picking speed
I've been using large triangular pick for a long time, and I'm used to it. Now, learning shredding, I once thought: "Does a regular pick have any advantages over a triangular in terms of speed?". ...
- 650
1
vote
2
answers
189
views
Fingertip-covering picks for fingerstyle guitar
I've seen a couple of videos in which a fingerstyle guitar player appears to have solid white, maybe plastic, picks covering the last segment of his finger.
I haven't been able to find these at the ...
- 145
0
votes
1
answer
100
views
3
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Acoustic Guitar - which pick is suitable for strumming and normal play
I started to learn guitar a couple of days back.
I was told for strumming thin pick is suitable and for normal play thick.
can anybody suggest a pick which can solve both purposes (strumming and ...
- 143
-1
votes
1
answer
220
views
how to learn to play lead parts like this?
This is a song (
) i like from my country. I like the touch of that lead player. This song is in F major. How do I learn to play like that? Do I need to know the F major ...
- 257
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Do I pick the bass string upwards or downwards?
I'm new to guitar and have been fingerpicking some songs (e.g. playing each bar: thumb - finger 1 - finger 2 - finger 1 - finger 3 - finger 1, holding the chord) which sounds nice. Now I just got a ...
- 1,817
1
vote
3
answers
6k
views
How to solo over chord changes on guitar?
To give some context, I am able to easily solo over a backing track based on the key of the track - all over the guitar's fretboard using most of the advanced guitar techniques and scale runs.
My ...
- 113
4
votes
1
answer
683
views
What is the point of drilled guitar pick?
I was wondering what impact on sound and playing drilled guitar picks have. I have tried one and did not notice any kind of difference with regular flat picks. Is it supposed to make for a better grip ...
- 451
2
votes
3
answers
799
views
Are chord transitions and strumming patterns necessary for learning lead guitar?
I've only recently begun picking up guitar (barely over a week ago) with the intention of learning to play lead parts and solos of songs I like. I have been learning chords and scales and how they ...
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is even-interval tuning a sensible idea for lead guitar?
I'm primarily a rhythm guitarist who has recently taken up bass. I've been struck how easy the equal 4th intervals between strings is for scale patterns, which surely have as much relevance for lead ...
- 10k
4
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Balancing sound of Acoustic and Electric Guitars
My band has two guitar players. One often plays acoustic while the other one plays an electric guitar. There has always been a problem balancing the volume and the frequences. While both guitars play ...
- 3,910
3
votes
2
answers
205
views
Finger pain in lead guitar practice
I've recently started learning some lead guitar lines, running through scales, modes, patterns, and my little finger simply will not do what I want it to. I have had a few breaks over the years (ring &...
- 183
3
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Combining fingerpicking with guitar pick
So I've been playing acoustic guitar for years and have developed a certain fingerpicking style as well as a really good strumming technique. However, I have never used a pick and always thought it ...
- 133
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why do thicker guitar picks result in a darker tone color?
I recently had a vendor send me extra-heavy picks rather than heavy picks. I like the sound so I think I'll keep them but each note picked with the heavier picks definitely has a darker timbre (tone ...
- 12.3k
2
votes
4
answers
8k
views
How to choose the right pick?
How should I choose the right pick thickness and what are the differences between them?
I'm using a 0.5 m pick for extra light strings, but I don' t like it very much.
What is the best pick ...
user28116
1
vote
4
answers
3k
views
Why is a plectrum banjo played with a guitar pick and not with finger picks?
I have a four string plectrum banjo, which is essentially like a five string banjo but without the short drone string.
Why is a plectrum banjo played with a guitar pick and not fingerstyle or with a ...
- 12.3k
1
vote
3
answers
5k
views
How do I play chords silently with a plectrum?
I've been playing acustic guitar fingerstyle and kind-of-"nail-strumming" all year long. Using my fingers, I can play chords in whatever loudness I desire.
Now that I've started to use picks, ...
- 225
1
vote
1
answer
278
views
Using thumb picks instead of nails
I'm wondering if it is possible to use thumb picks instead of nails. My fingers take a fair bit of punishment when finger picking on the electric and I'm wondering if there can be some sort of ...
- 15k
3
votes
4
answers
15k
views
What thickness pick should I get for lead guitar? [closed]
(I read like a batty child, so please understand that as you go through this message)
Sure, I've been playing acoustic and rhythm guitar for over 8 years. Yeah, I got strumming up and down mastered. ...
- 33
7
votes
2
answers
634
views
Modes: More complicated than it seems?
I've been playing guitar for almost 12 years now. I had never really gotten into what is described as 'modal playing'; I tried years ago and it seemed so hopelessly complicated that I abandoned it.
...
- 211
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
When should you change your pick?
Sometimes when I try to play a solo I feel that I can't pick the notes because the pick is too short, and when I look at it, it is about 0,5mm shorter on the end than a new one.
When should you ...
- 151
2
votes
3
answers
15k
views
How to convert Vocals into lead Guitar
I have seen many people play the vocals of a song like leads on the guitar.
There is not much guitar in my country's music so I am trying to learn how to convert the vocals of songs into guitar lead ...
- 123
7
votes
1
answer
615
views
Does the plectrum you play with make a difference in your guitar sound?
Does the plectrum you play with make a difference in your guitar sound? Is it just the thickness of the pick or does materials also make a difference if at all?
What would be the science behind this?
- 15k
6
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Playing with a pick with less pick-sound
I have two types of guitars, electric and acoustic and have been playing for over a year. How does one learn to or adjust their strum so that there's not so much sound of hitting the strings (as ...
- 63
4
votes
1
answer
278
views
How is he hiding his pick?
I've noticed that he's using his thumb to mute, so he's probably not holding his pick in between his index and thumb, which would suggest it's in his palm. Does anyone know this technique, and can ...
- 151
3
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Acoustic guitar as solo guitar in a band
I play acoustic guitar (with a magnetic pickup through an acoustic amp) in a band that also has drums, bass and an electric guitar.
I mostly keep the rhythm with chords (I am an amateur in guitar, ...
- 640
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why do lighter picks sound "better" on acoustic guitars?
I have a small variety of Dunlop Tortex pick sizes. Normally, the 0.73mm (green) is my favorite. When I recently picked up my first acoustic in ages, I chanced to discover that the lighter 0.56mm (I ...
- 2,659
6
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What types of plastic and manufacturing techniques are used to make guitar picks?
Like most guitarists, I'm sure, I have both preferred thicknesses and brands of guitar pick. I have always liked using Jim Dunlop Tortex picks, for instance, as I like the way the plastic wears ...
- 21.7k
9
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Can I use bass pick as guitar pick?
First of all, I don't really know about the difference between both picks, but as far as I know, the bass pick is slightly wider.
Can I use it (the bass pick) as a guitar pick (for guitar, of course)?...
- 4,157
9
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Guitar solo techniques
I have been playing guitar for a while now and I've decided (after playing with a guy I know and seeing how expressive his solos are) that I need to improve my improvisation.
My improvisations are ...
- 2,254
6
votes
12
answers
43k
views
As a beginner guitarist is it worth learning to play lead guitar early on?
I started to learn how to play guitar a month ago, but being in a busy science program in college I have limited time to practice. I would like to eventually play lead rather than rhythm.
I am using ...
- 289
9
votes
6
answers
59k
views
Is it important for a guitarist to know how to use a pick?
I've been playing guitar for almost a year and a half now and I still don't know how to use a pick. I strum very hard and I'm afraid that my guitar strings would break from the pick. Would this be ...
- 807
0
votes
0
answers
119
views
How can one minimise the percussive strumming sound on acoustic guitar and maximise the notes? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to prevent the noise my guitar pick makes?
When we are rehearsing with the band it seems that the main thing that one can hear of our singer's acoustic guitar is the sound ...
- 433