I used a pick for absolutely everything and never bothered with my fingers until I saw a video of Eric Johnson doing hybrid picking and realised that's how he got half the cool stuff I couldn't figure out how to do just by listening to the CD's I had of his stuff. Two years ago I went to see Martin Simpson live playing his acoustic folk music and got the same wow-effect several times over again, only he was using a thumb-pick and all four fingers to back it up. For the next three months I only played my acoustic guitar and ditched the pick altogether (I couldn't get the hang of the thumb pick, I found I preferred just using my thumb as normal.) As a teenager when half my practice was Metallica and the other half was Iron Maiden I'd never have imagined myself being open to any of that. I wonder if your friend will have a similar experience at some point, albeit possibly through different players to those who inspired me in finger style.

Oh and while I think about it, I remember watching a documentary on Deep Purple and the making of Smoke on the Water in which Richie Blackmore demonstrated how that opening riff is actually played by plucking the 5th chords on just the A and D strings finger style and not with a pick, because he thought it sounded better. I ran straight up to my guitar and tried this and holy ****, I wondered how I'd never realised it was played that way before. I've seen so many cover bands play it, heard it played by people in guitar stores so many times but not once have I seen it done Blackmore's way, without the pick. Funny, isn't it?

__________________
'There's no such thing as bad weather, there's only the wrong clothes...'

Is that so? I would recommend you watch and listen to Kaki King - especially Playing with Pink Noise.

She's a very impressive acoustic-guitarist who rarely uses a pick. Notice how her strumming hand has very prominent finger nails.

Best of luck.

Michael :=)

I'd just find a new friend to jam with

I've always had a hard time with the pick. I can't hold onto to it any way to make it as comfortable as using my thumb. When I really want to enjoy strumming and playing with music, I use my thumb. But, I make myself use the pick when I practice because I'm trying to learn and get better.

I've tried every pick from .33 to over 1.0 plus the stubby with the place for the thumb. Still can't get it comfortable enough to strum, especially up and down; keep hanging up and getting frustrated.....

Ideas here are welcomed, but short of picking lead, I can't seem to find a good use for my picks

thanks

Try using the search box and search "holding a pick"..
There are a few lessons there that might hold a clue of what you may have missed in an earlier lesson..
I usually hold my pick with and 1/8 inch to 3/16 inch exposed.. It may be more in your wrist then in the way you hold your pick..
Stay loose and relaxed..
Good luck..