There have been some good points made here, and I also use different picks sometimes. When I pick an acoustic I use a Dunlop Tortex .88mm, When I play electric it's a Clayton USA .63mm. The reason for this is, I'm a hard player. Really rough on strings, and guitars. I'm a little easier on it now, learning the hybrid picking along with everything else gave me more control. Sometimes I'll practice with a heavier pick too, it's a 2mm as thick as a nickel. I only practice leads with that though, if I strum it would rip the strings off.

I used to play bluegrass shows with a 1mm for the longest time, broke on average 6-8 strings per 90 minute show. I had to lighten up my pick, and I had to lighten the stroke. Now I can vary the stroke, and add heavier strokes to drive a song. I had to do the same thing on electric, for me the lighter my stroke is the more speed I have. The other thing with an electric is how light the touch is with that fret board hand too. I want to lighten my touch even more in that area, no problem if I'm practicing something. When I'm on stage, it's a totally different story. On some songs I have a light touch, on others the stage presence takes over. When this happens I play heavier at times, depending on what I'm playing. If I'm chicken picking I tighten the grip some, if I'm flat picking the grip will be looser, playing rock rhythm I would loosen the grip.

What you said at first was correct, you said it depends on what stuff you play. I think I read in a previous post that she was into the metal, so I'm thinking that a lighter stroke may be what she needs. With a really heavy pick like a 1mm, coming down to hard can knock a pick loose. The other option may be to use a lighter pick. These players that use a thick pick, not only know how to play, they've been playing long enough to develop technique and control. I bet if you asked them, most learned with a lighter pick than what they use now. It's really up to them, but if I have a beginner using a thick pick, I let them know what can happen. To coin another old phrase "somethings gotta give" and it could be the string, or the pick depending on their stroke. I also explain that a thinner pick will be easier to use until they develop technique. They give a little more, so even if you are a heavy player you're not ripping the strings off.

If I were happyjuicegirl, I would work my way up to the 1mm. Being fairly new to guitar, a thinner pick might be the answer for right now. I've been winding down from the gig, and it's time to sign off now.