More
- Using ChromaticsLEVEL 7Spice up your playing and give your licks a different twist by adding chromatic passing notes.
- Pick Like YngwieLEVEL 8How to pick using Yngwie's unique picking approach.
- Slap, Slide & Pick!LEVEL 6Using three distinct techniques - SLAP, SLIDE & PICKING - I established a call & response type of song.
- Pick & Strum CountryLEVEL 3This lesson explores a popular rhythmic technique of country music that is useful in many situations. It includes key modulations, a right hand pick and strum technique, moving bass lines, palm muting, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.
- Pick StrummingLEVEL 1Strumming using a pick + chord fretting basics
- Country Strumming Level 1LEVEL 2The fundamentals of classic country strumming rhythm.
- Pick & Strum Rhythm: Grand FinaleLEVEL 5Very fast train beat with alternating and walking bass and open string pull-offs.
- Walking Bass Country RhythmLEVEL 2Learn to mix your chordal strumming with walking bass lines.
- Train Beat RhythmLEVEL 4Up tempo country train beat rhythm using walking bass.
Feedback
Bluesberry24th February 2019For about 10-12 years I've held the pick against the back of my index finger. I managed to play some relatively fast stuff (160-180 bpm alternate picking runs), but I ran into some problems with stiffness and not being able to play faster stuff smoothly and in a relaxed manner.
For a week now I've been working on my grip, and getting better at it. So many thanks.
Kristofer Dahl7th September 2015Sereno -
Picking is something very personal - if it feels wrong to you I don't suggest you necessarily change anything.
However - if it feels "different" it might be worth experimenting a little bit on a daily basis for ~ a week. If you start noticing benefits in terms of playing better, then you could consider a change. Let me know if it makes sense?
Ben Higgins7th September 2015I feel a little uncomfortable playing in that new position do you think it takes much time to learn and use easily? (i started playing 8 month ago)
thanks!
It won't take you long.. thankfully you're early in your guitar development so changes like this should be easier to take place
sereno716th September 2015Ben thank you very much for that basic lesson.
I was considering myself an "intermediate" but ii find out i use guitar pick in the wrong position that you shown us !
Now it is really better, pick is more steady and i also notice that sound in more clean (i think because i was touching next chord with index finger).
I feel a little uncomfortable playing in that new position do you think it takes much time to learn and use easily? (i started playing 8 month ago)
thanks!- Nozakx13th August 2015
Cheers; good to know I wasnt holding my pic right
- Ben Higgins29th July 2014Where to I get my own Ben Higgins cardboard pick?
For only £3000 I will send you a Ben Higgins Signature Handmade Cardboard Pick ! Is that a bargain or what ? 
Mith29th July 2014Where to I get my own Ben Higgins cardboard pick?
Hajduk21st July 2014Great lessons Ben
- Kristofer Dahl20th July 2014
Excellent and super informative lesson, I doubt we'll see any "how should I hold my pick" questions after this one! (I'll miss them though
) 
thefireball20th July 2014Glad to know I'm holding my pick "right".
Practicing Peers
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- Lesson
- My notes
Welcome to the 2nd lesson in this unique beginner's course. In this lesson, you will become acquainted with the guitar pick, also known as a plectrum. This humble piece of plastic (sometimes other materials such as metal or tortoise shell) is perhaps the second most important piece of equipment after the guitar itself.
Of course, there are players that use just their fingers and thumb but the reason you're starting this course is because you eventually want to shred, right? And for that, you're going to want to master the use of the pick. So, watch the videos and you will learn about the following:
VIDEO 1 - Pick size / thickness and how it affects guitar playing & tone
VIDEO 2 - How to hold the pick
VIDEO 3 - Problems you encounter from a faulty pick grip
VIDEO 4 - Downstrokes & Upstrokes applied to all strings
VIDEO 5 - Downstrokes & Upstrokes applied to single strings
This might not seem like a lot to take in but believe me, it is enough to try to get your head around at the very beginning. Getting things right at this stage will make things SO much easier for you to progress. Don't worry about becoming Yngwie Malmsteen overnight. Instead, enjoy these early stages of development as you get to laugh at the pick falling out of your hands, strings plonking tunelessly and the new awkward movements you're teaching yourself. This is all part of the journey and you don't want to rush through it! We all had to go through it too! So relax, sit back and let me introduce you to the guitar pick.
From this course:
- Parts, Tuning & NotesLEVEL 1Absolute beginners lesson teaching parts of the guitar, notes and how to tune the guitar.
- ChordsLEVEL 1This lesson teaches you the basic chords and how to play them on the guitar.
- Dealing With DistortionLEVEL 1This lesson focuses on playing power chords, muting, distortion and tone setup.
- Riffs & Ear TrainingLEVEL 1This lesson focuses on playing riffs, basics of alternate picking, slash chords and ear training.
- Scales & Basic LeadLEVEL 1In this lesson we will open the door into the world of scales and basic lead guitar playing which make use of the scales.
Jump to start: Home or `s` , you can also click/tap the lesson part again (the numbers above player)
Go to next part: PageUP or End.
Volume: ArrowUp / ArrowDown keys
Go to any part: Number keys (combinations also possible)
Pause or play: `k` or space key
Fullscreen: `f`, esc to close
Increase / decrease speed : `+` or `-`
