Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.flatpickerhangout.com/archive/5768
djingodjango - Posted - 11/11/2008: 18:11:18
I never learned to flat pick and have kicked myself for this for the last 40 years. My problem is I lose the darn picks down the sound hole, or in my pant cuff, or on the floor or into someones coffee cup. I remember getting hit in the head with a broken pick from Jose Feliciano once at the "Unicorn" in Boston. I guess he had problems too. But, seriously, how do you keep them little suckers from tiddly-winkin' into the audience?
"How can I keep from singing?" Anne Warner
bluegrassgirl - Posted - 11/11/2008: 20:16:51
A little bit a spit will dry and give you a better grip....I put the pick in my mouth for a sec..and then let it dry..
Chadtheguru - Posted - 11/12/2008: 05:40:13
I drilled holes in mine to give it a little texture. Made a world of difference.
robin jones - Posted - 11/12/2008: 07:19:03
Didn't realize Jose sometimes uses a pick.
I use extra-heavys with the tops roughed up. Somedays I still have the dropsies but not very often.
"The Force is with you young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet." Darth Vader
bali - Posted - 11/12/2008: 08:10:02
I use Clayton picks on my guitars and Dunlop nylon picks on my mandolin. The Claytons have a frosted texture and the Dunlops have embossed areas that greatly reduce pick slip.
Bird Dog - Posted - 11/12/2008: 15:17:14
There's also stuff that you can put on your fingers - a rosin-based product.
Robin
HD28 Player - Posted - 11/12/2008: 18:12:05
get yourself one of those politically incorrect picks for $40-$50, and I bet you'll hang on to it. = )
AllenShadd - Posted - 11/13/2008: 07:52:38
I usually don't drop picks, but during a bout with some pinched nerve issues last year I did drop a pick- during a contest no less. I was lucky in that it didn't actually hit the floor but instead fell into the palm of my hand so I only missed a few bars of the tune before getting back in. After that, I drilled holes in a couple of my Tortis picks, and it did help with the grip.
rhssaxplayer - Posted - 11/13/2008: 08:02:44
You know, you can buy picks with textures made into them- thus, providing a very nice grip. Thats that way I've always gone...
countrydirt - Posted - 11/13/2008: 15:36:28
quote:
Originally posted by robin jones
Didn't realize Jose sometimes uses a pick.
Must have been a fingernail
I use Dunlop Nylons in 1.04 mm and Dunlop Big Stubbys in 1.00 on my Seagull. They both have a raised pattern to help in gripping, but a little saliva helps as well.
Owner of several, master of none!
AllenShadd - Posted - 11/13/2008: 16:58:20
quote:
Originally posted by rhssaxplayer
You know, you can buy picks with textures made into them- thus, providing a very nice grip. Thats that way I've always gone...
True, but not all picks have a textured grip, so if you use a certain type based on tone and it isn't offered with a textured surface, you have to improvise if it becomes an issue. Actually, the Red Bear Tortis picks I use are available with holes drilled, but mine didn't have them until I put a few in them.
Jonno1 - Posted - 11/13/2008: 18:54:49
I don't usually drop my pick very often but use to when I used smaller and thinner picks. Especially the light and medium small teardrop ones. When I started playing Mandolin I went to a larger surface and thicker pick, so purchased white Clayton's with the eagle on them and shaped like a larger triangle. They do have a slight rough dexture on the eagle side as well. I use mainly a .80mm but also use a 1.00mm. I also play my guitar with them. I also stopped trying to hang onto the pick with such a thight grip. I practice playing it very loose and got use to playing with it just dangling at times between my thumb and first finger.
I Recently remodeled my basement and did drop my hammer on my big toe too often. Wish I was using my pick instead.
Ken_Hodges - Posted - 11/13/2008: 20:27:47
I used to drop my pick all the time, but for some reason this doesnt happen too often any more. I like the looks of the picks with holes drilled in them, but havent tried them yet. Thicker picks dont seem to be as droppable for some reason.
Reguards,
Ken Hodges
terrapin - Posted - 11/19/2008: 10:46:16
I've been using dunlop orange picks since I started playing and I almost never drop them while i'm playing. If i use a different pick i will sometimes drop them. I really think the key is to just find something with a good tone that you like. I think the not dropping them is in the fingers and not so much the texture.
JL
'Ear Training Course' 1 day
'Florida Blues' 7 days
