Alternate picking...

Ok, I'm finnaly done (well, initially) done with scales. Now I'm going to sit down with a metronome to improve my speed, say over the next few weeks, for maybe an hour a day? I can play cleanly at about 12 notes per second, but right now I'm looking on improving that. I generally hold the pick with my thumb, middle AND pointer finger... Is that going to hinder me at all of gaining speed. I'm looking to play very cleanly. I understand all the other aspects of playing quikley, i.e. heavy picks, relaxed muscles, proper technique, (ect.) I'm just a tad puzzled on actually holding the pick. Any suggestions?

honestly, I've never heard of holding the pick like that, so I don't know what to tell ya. But I do know that relaxation and breathing normally while playing are essential to keeping the time and increasing your overall speed. That's what my teacher always tells me cause when I screw up a scale, I get all frustrated and he tells me to calm down. Buddy, it works!

the way i've been taught to hold the pick is to hold it with my thumb and the edge of my index finger, which is the most common. Then, I tuck in the rest of my fingers and let them rest under my palm, but not touching the strings. It took a while for me to get used to this, but it definitely increased my speed cause i didn't have any extra fingers flying everywhere.

Well, the truthful answer is that there just *isn't* a singular right way. Whatever way works for you and is comfortable is the answer.

Some people hold with middle and index, i.e. Eddie Van Halen

Others hold with both i.e. Steve Vai.

Generally speaking, however, it's a grip just between your index and thumb. And you are generally taught to hold it with just enough force to keep from dropping it.

You hold your pick the same way as guitar great Steve Morse. It hasn't hindered him in any way, in fact, he claims using three fingers gives him more accuracy.

Thanks, guys. I myself have never seen anybody hold their plectrum with 3 fingers. I just figured it might slow me down at bit, but at the moment, it does'nt seem to.

Originally Posted by: pizzicatopickerThanks, guys. I myself have never seen anybody hold their plectrum with 3 fingers. I just figured it might slow me down at bit, but at the moment, it does'nt seem to.

For some reason, it really bothers me when people call it a "plectrum" lol. I don't know why. I guess the main thing is to hold the pick in a way that you feel most comfortable with.

Hi pizzicatopicker,

Like others said, there's no right or wrong way to hold the pick. As soon as you have no tension in your arm, that's fine. Also, be sure to keep slow motion while you're picking a string.