Benefits of using a pick?

Hi everyone, I'm brand new to this website and for the most part to guitar playing. I've taken some lessons from my dad in the past, and he has never put much emphasis on playing with a guitar pick. Is a guitar pick something I should be trying to use? What are the benefits of playing with a pick and the benefits of just playing by hand?

I tried to search for a similar topic, but didn't find one.

Thank you :)

Originally Posted by: robm06Hi everyone, I'm brand new to this website and for the most part to guitar playing. I've taken some lessons from my dad in the past, and he has never put much emphasis on playing with a guitar pick. Is a guitar pick something I should be trying to use? What are the benefits of playing with a pick and the benefits of just playing by hand?

I tried to search for a similar topic, but didn't find one.

Thank you :)

Depends on what style, but the difference between pick and finger is the sound it makes(pick is much sharper sounding- which is or good or bad depending on the situation). also, when getting into playing lead(Like for rock) and playing individual notes, you will need a pick to play speed, if that's what you are going for(But there are some fast fingerpickers too). There are no hard and fast rules - but your style you are going after will most likely dictate.

Definitely more style. I will flat out say it is IMPOSSIBLE to play some things without a pick, same goes for finger picking. If you play more country stuff, I think you can get by without a pick, mostly strumming chords or fingerpicking stuff. If you plan on playing lead guitar for rock and other f.......

....actually, its kind of hard to explain. How old are you and what type of music do you listen to/play? That will make it easier to explain things so they relate to things youre doing.

Hi Robm06,

In my one-on-one lessons, I always encourage people to try to learn to use a pick. Even if you can get pretty good results from "finger-strumming", the accuracy and intention you can get by using a pick are well worth the effort, in my opinion.

Being able to use the pick opens doors for you that would not necessarily open as easily if you become an avowed finger-strummer.

If it's any consolation, I'll share with you that for my first several years as a guitarist were fingers-only, and the pick seemed like a strange and inconvenient thing.

But I kept at it, pushed through, and once it "clicked", there was no turning back.

I encourage you to stick with it until it clicks.

It sounds different. I don't want to say right or wrong, that's for you to decide, but when you learn a riff or a strum, try it with and without a pick (and with different picks) and take whichever YOU like. Remember, guitar is about making your own sound, and I doubt you could get Tommy Emmanuel to grab a pick, or get Van Halen to drop his, so it's all good.

Now...I've heard a lot about Jazz IIIs and went out today and picked a couple up.

WHAT THE HECK??

It feels like playing with a penny. It's small and hard and totally different from the Fender thin/mediums I've been using for the last forever.

I do like the bright sound...but do they have to be so small? It honestly feels like I'm fumbling with a penny. I know they're not for everyone, but I really have heard a lot of people swear by them...is there something I'm missing?

Also picked up a metal pick (Van Halen made me do it) and a thumbpick, for novelty. The thumbpick is kind of cool but it feels weird having my thumb so far away from the strings. I look forward to a review of my troubles in a while.

Hey Rykoshet,
Danny Gatton, and Roy Nichols used to use picks like that, but I don't think they were called jazzIII picks back then. If you like the thickness, but don't really care for the size try a bigger pick with the same thickness. Jim Dunlop has a wide variety of picks, so I'm sure you could find something more to your liking.

Hey robm06,
Like most everyone has said, it really depends on what you're doing. I play many styles, and there are a few of them where I would be lost without a pick. Let us know what you want to get into, and perhaps we can give you more input on this.

Originally Posted by: RykoshetIt sounds different. I don't want to say right or wrong, that's for you to decide, but when you learn a riff or a strum, try it with and without a pick (and with different picks) and take whichever YOU like. Remember, guitar is about making your own sound, and I doubt you could get Tommy Emmanuel to grab a pick, or get Van Halen to drop his, so it's all good.

Now...I've heard a lot about Jazz IIIs and went out today and picked a couple up.

WHAT THE HECK??

It feels like playing with a penny. It's small and hard and totally different from the Fender thin/mediums I've been using for the last forever.

I do like the bright sound...but do they have to be so small? It honestly feels like I'm fumbling with a penny. I know they're not for everyone, but I really have heard a lot of people swear by them...is there something I'm missing?

Also picked up a metal pick (Van Halen made me do it) and a thumbpick, for novelty. The thumbpick is kind of cool but it feels weird having my thumb so far away from the strings. I look forward to a review of my troubles in a while.

I had heard good things about Jazz IIIs as well and picked up a few awhile back and hated them because they are soo small too, but I also heard there is another version of the Jazz III that is bigger. I have not sought them out - perfectly happy with my Dunlops

Originally Posted by: RykoshetNow...I've heard a lot about Jazz IIIs and went out today and picked a couple up.

WHAT THE HECK??

That's kinda funny ;)

Jazz III's do take some getting used to. They may not be for you. If they were great for everyone, no other picks would ever be made.

I started using Jazz III's back in the 80's. One of the guys at the local music store noticed that I exposed very little of the tip of the pick I was using and suggested it. It was kinda weird at first but didn't take me long to get used to it. I think, for me, it was because of that small amount of exposure that made it easier. I really am holding on to the bulk of the pick and why, I think, it works for me.

I think that's key. Depending on your style and the way you hold the pick might drive what works best. I expose a tiny point point and had an inclination to shred picking so it worked for me.

I keep a big ol' Dunlop greenie around for really strummy kind of stuff but if I use that for anything else, it struggle with it...

i've been using the jazz III's for a few years now, recommended by one of the guys at the music store. i absolutely love them. maybe my learning curve was small though because i'm always picking up a penny or a dime when i don't have a pick. Personally i like the thickness and the point on them but it's all a matter of taste. i think they are eric johnson signatures now.