What's the Right Pick?

Those little pieces of plastic are more important than you might think.  Here are some things to think about regarding picks.

Tackiness - Some picks made out of certain materials are harder to hold.  They are slick or when you get "slick" after playing in the heat at a jam they might more easily slide out of your grip.  Some picks are specifically made out of certain materials so they will stay in your hand.  I've always liked Dunlop Tortex picks... they'll stay in your hand no matter how much you sweat.

The other kind of tackiness - Picks can be tacky or tasteful.  Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Picks can be personalized with your signature, initials, etc.  And you can buy them with all kinds of stuff etched into them.

Composition - brass, aluminum, tortoise, synthetics, wood.  There are all kinds of different materials but most peole are using tortoise and synthetics nowadays.  As you can imagine some pick materials won't sound all that great on phosphor bronze strings.  When I've been in a pinch I've made a pick out of a piece of paper by folding it over and over till it formed a stiff triangle.  It worked but it didn't play as good as a synthetic pick.

Shape - These last two properties are the ones taht really matter.  A pics shape can greatly affect how it sounds and how you can play with it.  I personally think a sharply pointed pick is better for fast picking.  The sharper point allows you to hit strings better and it produces a sharp note.  A rounded pick generally sounds more muddy and it might be better for some types of rhythm playing.

Size - The size can definitely affect tone.  A smaller pick .60 and smaller will give a clicky effect and while it might be toned down and a little better for rhythm it can be harder to hear in a jam.  Many people when first starting out are better with a smaller pick though because they are overbearing with a larger one.  I'm using 1mm and above nowadays.  I played loud and sharp but I have enough control over my hand to lower the volume with my hand and I don't have to rely on a pick.  Some players might need a heavier pick to get volume they can't produce with their hand because they aren't forceful enough (either socially or physically).  Just remember if you are a banger and like to flail the strings all the time you are going to break a lot more strings with a 1mm and up then you are a .65mm and down.

- SD