I wanted to play FAST jazz guitar lines Smoothly, so I..
So when it comes to picking our sounds as guitar players, we like to think about the guitar, the amp, and the pedals. Today, I want to talk about something that might be a little bit overlooked, and that’s the way we hold our guitar picks. The way you hear your phrases needs different articulation and different types of efficiency. That’s why there’s no one way to hold a pick; it really changes from player to player. I’m just gonna show you the way I do it. Hopefully, it gives you some ideas.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does anchoring my pinky on the guitar body help with fast jazz lines?
- Should I hold my pick with two fingers or three fingers for smooth playing?
- How does tilting my pick angle affect the sound of jazz scales?
- Can different pick-holding techniques help me play faster without sacrificing tone?
So the way I hold the pick is that I anchor my pinky. It really gives me a stable feel when it comes to crossing strings and muting. It helps me to be in control over what’s going on when I’m playing. Versus if I’m just free, there’s more room for strings popping or a lack of ability to mute – a very narrow kind of sound.
If I want to get a fuller reach,
Now another thing you can do is hold the pick with three fingers. Try doing that and see how you’re getting a punchier sound because basically you’re putting more mass over the pick, right? You have another finger and also more control.
It has a little bit more power to it; you need to really try it to believe it.
I would definitely suggest just experimenting, especially with down picking, and noticing that you feel comfortable moving from one string to another while always anchoring the pinky. Also with sweep picking.
And you know, if I tilt the pick a little bit, I get a more crunchy kind of attack, a sharper kind of sound.
So everything for me, the way I hold my pick, has to do with sound. Just play your ordinary C major scale and let me know which sound you prefer.
Now honestly, I use both of these versions; I like both of their sounds. It’s just that I choose when to use them depending on the different musical situations. There’s no right or wrong here, just different sounds. It’s all about sound awareness, efficiency of movement, and understanding what is the sound you’re hearing and what you want to put out there in your music.
So basically, it’s all about experimenting and figuring out what works best for you.
Now, I’m really curious about your journey when it comes to the way you hold your pick. Do you even think about it? Have you ever tried holding it in different ways? So let’s take this video as an opportunity to have a conversation about that topic. I think it’s overlooked and it’s really interesting.
So let me know in the comments below some thoughts about this subject. Check out my other videos as well as my website, weissguitar.com. Please make sure to subscribe and like this video. I’ll see you in the next video.
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Frequently Asked Questions
01 Why does anchoring my pinky on the guitar body help with fast jazz lines?
Anchoring your pinky gives you a stable reference point for crossing strings and muting, which is essential for controlling articulation in fast jazz passages. This stability prevents unwanted string noise and allows you to maintain precision when playing rapid sequences like chromatic runs or bebop phrases.
02 Should I hold my pick with two fingers or three fingers for smooth playing?
Using three fingers on your pick gives you more mass and control, resulting in a punchier sound with better power – ideal for articulate jazz lines. Two fingers works fine for lighter touch, but three-finger grip is particularly useful for down-picking exercises and maintaining consistency across string changes.
03 How does tilting my pick angle affect the sound of jazz scales?
Tilting your pick creates a sharper, crunchier attack, while keeping it flat produces a smoother tone. For jazz playing, experimenting with pick angle on scales like C major helps you find the right articulation for your desired phrase – some lines need brightness, others need warmth.
04 Can different pick-holding techniques help me play faster without sacrificing tone?
Yes – efficiency of movement combined with proper pick holding directly impacts your speed and tone quality. By anchoring your pinky and anchoring with multiple fingers, you reduce unnecessary tension and gain better control during sweep picking and rapid position changes, allowing you to play faster lines smoothly.
