What is the RIGHT Way to Hold the Pick?!
Added 2024-07-20 16:12:33 +0000 UTCWhat is the RIGHT way to hold the pick?! Is it leading edge? Trailing edge? James Hetfield 3 finger? Western Grip? On today's video, your good buddy Uncle Ben Eller here is gonna school ya good. I'll show you the difference between leading and trailing edge picking, show you when and why I practice both, and give you my theory as to WHY some players gravitate towards one grip versus the other. It's a pretty crazy theory, but I've tested it and it's TRUE! This video will help you find the BEST way to hold the guitar pick for maximum speed and comfort!
Huge thanks to your fellow supporter Seth for suggesting this video. Lemme know what technique you wanna see explored next!
Comments
So just something to add here in case anyone else experiences it. I normally wouldn’t have clicked on a video on how to hold a pick properly, as I’m way to cool for these basics! Except I’m not!! And it made me have a breakthrough moment. I am a hitchhiker thumbed trailing picker. I just always found it to be the smoothest for me. One thing that has plagued me for years is that my pinch harmonics have never been as good or effortless as other players I’ve been around. It took this lesson for me to realize (and this could just be me personally) but if I switch my attack, they are night and day better! In seconds the lightbulb went on, and my guitar was squealing like your stepmom after that 4th glass of wine!!!
Jim Delaney
2024-07-30 02:16:18 +0000 UTCBecause it’s creepy as shit bro!! 😂😂😂
Jim Delaney
2024-07-30 02:08:17 +0000 UTCInteresting correlation between holding a writing implement and holding a pick. What about someone who is left handed but plays guitar right handed?
Jovian
2024-07-28 01:12:18 +0000 UTCI'm left handed AND a trailing edge picker. What a freak.
Graeme Puttock
2024-07-25 18:20:09 +0000 UTCHey Brian, it’s strange isn’t it! ? I can’t even hold the guitar properly the other way around!
James Hebden
2024-07-22 03:26:05 +0000 UTCThanks! I picked one up!
The Zoo Media Network
2024-07-22 01:24:00 +0000 UTC@Brian, Did you switch at some point or did you start that way? I am seriously thinking of changing.
James Sheehan
2024-07-21 23:44:36 +0000 UTCQuestion! Great video! You got me hooked on methOD and I've trying to thinking about my fretting hand in similar ways to how Troy Grady presented all the wonderful information about the picking hand. I really can't pin down why my left hand (fretting hand) can't repeatedly tap with a single finger as fast as my right hand (picking hand) on a table. I've been playing forever (35 ish years) and inspite of daily practice I seem to have a cap on my fretting hand speed. I am trying to find a natural position where at the very least I can use all of the speed (as slow as it feels) that I have. Do you have any experiments like the scribble test for the fretting hand that can show or help a brotha figure out the best hand position to keep your fretting fingers nimble?
James Sheehan
2024-07-21 23:43:28 +0000 UTCYou can get them on Troy Grady's website
James Sheehan
2024-07-21 23:30:09 +0000 UTCI'm missing muscles in my hands, primarily the ones that gives my thumbs straight. I took what Doug Mark's taught in Metal Method and watching James Hetfield and mashed them up. The whole pencil grip technique has blown my mind...after 30 years I might revamp grip
Guitardavepdx
2024-07-21 20:40:32 +0000 UTCWhat is the phone holder (red U) you’re using in this video, Ben?
The Zoo Media Network
2024-07-21 15:44:58 +0000 UTCI've been holding the pick wrong for years. It's probably why I can't play fast. My pick seems to be flat at a right angle to the strings. I tried this leading edge thing and it feels like I'm learning to write with the other hand. Feels a bit depressing that I'd have to either relearn or carry on with my shit style!
Mike Barrow
2024-07-21 13:21:58 +0000 UTCbeat me to it! i was thinking the same thing 😂
Stepdadshred
2024-07-21 11:54:58 +0000 UTCsince i have the handwriting of a child maybe i need to do the opposite and relearn how to hold a pencil using how i hold the pick!
Stepdadshred
2024-07-21 11:54:01 +0000 UTCHey James, I’m right handed, but I play left handed. I prefer to use my strongest hand (i.e. right) on the fretboard.
Brian Hudson
2024-07-21 08:07:43 +0000 UTCSteve Morse also uses the Hetfield 3 finger pinch.
Shahar Bar
2024-07-21 02:35:48 +0000 UTCThanks so much for that video Ben . I am a trailing edge picker . I have the hitch hiker thumb and it was the low string chugging in the beginning that led me to think it would work for me but as I am only about year into playing so I have second guessed my style that I was embracing knowing that most don’t pick that way. Thanks for the encouragement and the taking the time to make that video 🤘
Nason Renegar
2024-07-21 01:25:53 +0000 UTCHmm my picking feels pretty smooth and natural. My writing on the other hand is terrible. I have an idea brb... 🫠
Gregg B.
2024-07-21 01:03:10 +0000 UTCthat pic of Tosin's thumb made me lol for some reason
Jake Raymor
2024-07-20 20:40:59 +0000 UTCThis is a great video, dude. The pencil example was incredibly helpful and makes a ton of sense. Need more picking content with the magnet!
Ryan Mcleod
2024-07-20 19:48:16 +0000 UTCHi Ben ! I’m left handed, but I play right handed. I find that I tend to over grip the pick and also scrape the strings slightly with my pointer finger at times. I’m wondering if you have come across any students or band mates who play with their opposite hand? Cheers for your content and lessons and for being the best step dad ever 😎🤘
James Hebden
2024-07-20 19:22:43 +0000 UTCSending someone death threats because of his picking style is like sending death threats to a drummer who uses traditional grip when playing metal. How does that even affect other people, maybe even living halfway around the planet? People really need to get their heads out of their a**es.
Villi Mag
2024-07-20 18:21:47 +0000 UTCGreat video Ben ! What’s the pick you’re using ?
Frederic
2024-07-20 18:09:52 +0000 UTCI do both, apparently. Depends on what I’m playing - rhythm vs leads/runs, and then what type of picking (2 note per string runs vs general shred runs).
NYCM&AHole
2024-07-20 18:02:31 +0000 UTCI’m struggling understanding the way you hold the pick with the side of your index finger and pad of your thumb.
Tekin Mustafa
2024-07-20 17:50:57 +0000 UTCI've been able to get Trailing Edge to work for almost everything except six-string strumming, particularly upstroke strumming. Not sure why this is an issue, but I'm sure it's in the angles.
Jim Lewis
2024-07-20 16:52:07 +0000 UTCI usually say the way that's the most comfortable for you is the best, as long as it's not going to injure something. That being said, subtle technique changes can have a big impact on picking. I try to keep the pick properly slanted for maximum smoothness. I can't make a proper fist while holding the pick, so pick slanting has helped a lot.
Matthew Briggs
2024-07-20 16:36:36 +0000 UTC
