Guitar Picks?

Question

Hey guys and girls whats up? I'm a newbie on the guitar and Im loving it, I picked it up and just been teaching myself so I have a quick question about picks. Is it just a preference of what pick you use or do some picks go with different types of songs? Like Heavy, Light, Medium, thumb pick? Thanks

D

Answer 1

When I started, I used Fender medium picks. Until I was in a band with a guy who was an awesome player so of course I had to copy him. He gave me a dozen of them and I literally used that same dozen picks for a decade. Whenever I dropped one, there would be a large search party sent out until it was returned safely to me. When I got down to the last one, I was pretty concerned. I couldn't find that exact pick anywhere. So, I got an assortment pack of Dunlop's and found out that .73mm is the magic number for me.

As for the thumb picks, I believe those are for finger pickers. So you don't want those at all. I'd say you probably want to stay away from the thinner guage picks while you're still just starting out.

Answer 2

You've had some good replies thus far. I agree with those that said it is by individual preference. I've tried to use straight picks, but they'd usually fly off to the winds.

I began playing with only thumb and fingers and have resorted to use a thumbpick when volume is needed. Even with thumbpicks, the picker must choose which gauge to use--light, medium, or heavy. That all depends on type of playing.

When in doubt, choose first a medium-gauge pick. You can always change your mind.

Answer 3

In general, if you want to play rhythm and get a real heavy strum sound, a heavy pick is better--if you want to play lead, a lighter one is preferred. It sort of corresponds with string gauge--lead electric guitars use super-light strings, and any electric bass player who uses a pick will want a heavy one (I actually made myself a bass pick out of shoe leather!) But as the previous responder said, it's all personal preference.

Answer 4

Its really a matter of personal preference. Picks are really inexpensive, so just go to the music store and buy a bunch of all different brands and gauges of picks, try them out and see which ones you like best.

Personally, I like Dunlop's Tortex picks in the Heavy (1.0 mm) or Extra-Heavy weight, but YMMV.

Answer 5

I always use Mediums because they don't break as often.
The heavy ones are good too. The thin ones snap like twigs if you play hard rock/metal. If you are playing soft acoustic folk. You could try them. But honestly, you could buy one of each gauge and then try them out to see which you like best. Picks are normally like a 0.50 cents each at your local music store.
Good luck