pstroud1 - Posted - 02/07/2010:  09:58:46

I'm sure this sounds really simple but I'm talking about playing good bluegrass rhythm. It seems to move when I play anything very fast.
I've been use to old time country where you drag a little coming back up across the
strings. Hope this makes sense. I use a heave triangle pick with an eagle on it.
Just wondered if I could get a better bluegrass rhythm by changing something. I'm getting a little older and still have a lot to learn about the guitar. Any pictures would help a lot.
Thanks Paul

I've wore a hole through the pick guard and partly through the wood from my little finger dragging while playing rhythm.

Edited by - pstroud1 on 02/07/2010 10:03:54

bbjork - Posted - 02/07/2010:  13:52:44

I use a regular (heavy) pick not a triangle and file the end just a bit. The key is to hold the pick between the pad of your thumb and the first joint of your 1st finger. Check out this Tony Rice clip starting around 1 minute of so.

youtube.com/watch?v=9JFgC3Ub10E

Or this one at 2 and half minutes.

youtube.com/watch?v=ko1HODuTav...e=related

Bruce

Edited by - bbjork on 02/07/2010 13:55:33

Stefan - Posted - 02/10/2010:  01:47:17

I hold the pick a little different depending on if I´m strumming rhythm och picking melody. If I strum I like to hold the pick more against the tip of my indexfinger. When I play melody I hold it between the tip and the first joint.

fiddlepogo - Posted - 02/12/2010:  23:02:22

I use a standard Fender-type heavy pick, BUT
I hold it sideways, and use one of the two rounded corners.
The pick acts stiffer that way, produces less pick noise,
gives you a wider gripping area, and has less leverage trying to pry the pick out of your hand.

It took about a week to get used to it, but it increased my speed and improved my tone, and I can't imagine going back.

Peculiar side benefit:
Yesterday I was in a guitar shop, and the only key-chain pick caddy I had with me was a crummy design that makes it very hard to get the picks out with your fingers... you need needlenose pliers!

Well, I got frustrated, looked down... and there was a pick on the floor with the tip broken off.
Didn't matter to me, I used the remaining round corners, no problem!!!

Drawback: Any pick that has a built in grip CANNOT be used sideways.

bigt82 - Posted - 03/27/2010:  16:06:02

Best advice ive had on holding a pick is to keep your hand together. It improves on speed.
Tim

jameypittman - Posted - 04/17/2010:  02:51:37

Getting good, solid bluegrass rhythm can take a great deal of practice beyond just how you hold the pick - it's different than country-style rhythm in many respects (especially right hand technique). Here's a couple of tips about picks and BG rhythm that might be helpful: 1) use a thick, stiff-material pick, 2) use a less pointed, more rounded tip (some good players I know prefer to play a standard teardrop-shaped pick backwards) - this helps keep your pick from getting caught in the strings, 3) don't let too much of the pick protrude from your grip or it will want to wobble as it hits the strings, 4) don't hold the pick too firmly - keep a light, relaxed grip.

--Jamey

matrix - Posted - 04/21/2010:  03:55:29

I use the Dunlop Tortex yellow (73's). I hold it on one of the rounded corners. I can get good speed with it.

bryankimsey - Posted - 04/24/2010:  07:22:06

I have a small page on pick grips- it'll at least give you some reference points:

bryankimsey.com/music/righthand.htm

I agree with every one of Jamey's points and I might use even less pick today than I show in the page above. One thing I've really been working on for the past 5-7 years is NOT "digging in", but letting the pick skip off the top of the string. This allows me to use as stiff of a pick as I want, gain speed, get better tone, and control my volume much better.

Edited by - bryankimsey on 04/24/2010 07:24:09

glassman - Posted - 05/11/2010:  14:51:00

GREAT page on holding the flat pick. this has been a on and off problem in learning to flat pick for me. Really appreciate your efforts to share your thoughts on this subject..
Glassman