4 Emergency Pick/Plectrum Alternatives

Ten minutes from showtime and you find yourself pickless, here are four options. :)
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[@nikopikotheswegking]

i use a hotdog bun

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Usually that’s a good idea for most things.

[@thats_bridget9503]

You're just so special

[@Rex-golf_player810]

What a god

[@tatukemppainen9385]

Amateur... I use a chicago style deep dish pizza!

[@emirhandemirkale8627]

Duh

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

Just grab a beer bottle and go full on blue's lol

[@hunter00143]

A year late but I think you got the fretting and picking hand mixed up lmao

[@tim5760]

"pick pocket" Oh i see you bro. I see you 😂

[@tavicotavio]

A picket. If you will

[@pilubolaer5886]

This is why i play bass

[@abandonedaccount6878]

Slapp gang

[@yeyegameing]

I’m here because I lost my picks I’m shit at sliding fingers

[@tim5760]

Dude, you look like a laid back Markiplier. The good twin of Markiplier probably.

[@sundigest1121]

Very original comment

[@dillonheebner]

Tim, that is literally the first thing I noticed when I went on The-Art-of-Guitar’s channel for the first time.

[@andrewoid4711]

Is Markiplier bad or something

[@jayeezus]

@@andrewoid4711 nah he fine

[@faustohernandez3434]

I play with a brick, so no big deal

[@nihitkhunteta6137]

Coins doesn't works for me, from where I am they are either too thick and too small or thin and too large. What did worked for me are: -Plastic spoons and forks just break off the handle and use either the head part or the handle -Small metal instruments -clip of a pen -broken edge of a thin plastic or wooden scale -Certain screwdriver bits -credit and debit cards, plastic casing of sim cards

[@whenwhe5892]

Genius

[@whenwhe5892]

Gracias

[@murphymoe753]

Try the blade I mentioned above

[@sighs-man2202]

I feel like I'm the only guitarist to only use my fingers and like never a pick?

[@theother1193]

Lindsey Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac dosent use a pick.

[@abbie7077]

i rarely use a pick. if i do it is on a nylon string acoustic when it is too quiet for playing with people

[@BSIII]

@@theother1193 neither does Robbie Krieger from the doors. I may have misspelled his last name, though.

[@celiaaa4571]

Depends on what type on genre u play. U cant be shredding without a pick

[@mwedijesu]

Me too 1year now n still dont have flow with pickss😢😢

[@christianalexander6364]

Man I dont know why, but if you tell me youre over 25 i wont believe you😪

[@MrMetalhorse]

If I find myself without a pick I'm basically useless. Like Iron Man without his suit.

[@nikopikotheswegking]

without his suit hes a genius, billionaire, playboy and a philanthropist

[@Hulavuta]

I dunno, Iron Man accomplished an impressive number of things without his suit on

[@droobie_]

Mr. Metalhorse if you’re nothing without the suit, you shouldn’t have it

[@cubescubescubescaptain3708]

Apple Bottom Jeans Boots with the Ferb damn, 15 hours too late!

[@MrMetalhorse]

@@Hulavuta but I mean, how useful can he be to the avengers without the suit? Thanos would kick his ass in a second. Lol

[@jacobharrison3857]

I forgot a pick once and the drummer said use your fingers we were doing holy wars

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I guess the punishment was due. Haha.

[@Soily9]

Interesting video, thanks. Next time, can you make a video to help those who brought plenty of picks but forgot their guitar ?

[@TheCzlowiekZagadka]

I would honestly try an SD card as a pick. Not a micro, a full size SD card.

[@henryg4255]

That's actually smart thx

[@Nergal_Slayer]

That's genius

[@Joeyelley]

Dam, I mean I would try my ds game as a pick

[@playmusic5978]

Butthead: "he said long and hard, ahhhahh"

[@DRBRIGHT_213]

And he likes a bigger size heheh

[@emilywillis6297]

When I first started playing the guitar I wasn't able to get a pick right away so I used the tabs you can get off of soda cans and they worked great

[@viper.9756]

sounds like a good idea

[@poggersfish.5021]

I use a loaf of bread as an emergency pick

[@pclafferty1]

poggers fish. Same bro but tbh my mothers arm is way better

[@a_belugawhale6687]

I used a toothpick once pretty weird

[@_spencerhyde_]

Am I the only one who loves the fact that he plays parts of Crazy Little Thing Called Love throughout the video

[@bananabong4911]

If you don't have a pick just grow one. One could even say you can play some pretty Wylde licks with one like that.

[@AlexTerek]

I've had pretty good luck with a can opening tab

[@archtopp1]

I keep a lot of picks in my guitar cases. I'm never without a pick and i always have a pick for friends in need.

[@johnwallace2319]

Ask the audience, because ppl who go to live shows tend to also play

[@andrewpaton6075]

nice subliminal ad for Dunlop $$$$$

[@jrmyadventr]

This is why I keep picks in my cases

[@JUGGERNAUT606]

Yeah the bread clip has always been the go-to in my years as a guitarist... I would wind up at someone's house' they have a guitar but never a pick but they do have bread. Change comes 2nd but is too round👍

[@PennyDvis]

What amp was used in this video? Really like the tone :)

[@GGJChannel]

Hendrix has a different solution. Love your videos btw

[@DunamisSword]

*had

[@danterosales6985]

Number One Solution To Never Having A Pick: Play Fingerstyle. I never care if i lose a pick, because i dont USE EM

[@Punttipate62]

In a metal band? Suure

[@stugots3446]

*plays crazy little thing called love* Me:*instant subscription*

[@lala-everyonescrazyaunt]

If I didn't have to do any alternate picking in a song, in the past I never used a pick. I hold my fingers almost like I'm holding a pick, but I use the nail of my pointer finger to down pick. Since I started playing again, and have found a pick I am comfortable gripping (Jazz IIIs), I am trying to use a pick all the time when I practice to improve my technique, but if I pick up a guitar on a whim to sit down and play a little I will still use my fingernail. ☺

[@murphymoe753]

Fingernail is the best but won't last a session

[@johnwallace2319]

Cut the corner off a file folder, like the one your singer has in their bag

[@catsofsherman1316]

The sixpence is the coin Brian May uses. I like the sound and feel of it

[@johnnyrandom100]

snap, a purple turtle.

[@frogman1]

this is why i play fingerstyle.

[@whenwhe5892]

I want to learn, but BaSiCs FiRsT

[@miikdaniels1439]

I always carry a wallet with a zipper pocket inside it, just for picks

[@flavy1000]

Great ideas..I loved that about destroying the credit card XD!

[@Uncle_Buzz]

Crazy little thing... I've had nightmares about not having a pick. Almost as bad as that dream where you're in you underwear. Cheers & Merry Christmas! Chris.

[@bilkywaygalaxy]

I use sixpence coins I buy off of Ebay almost exclusively because of May. I love the sound!

[@PintsofGuinness]

dude you should do a video showing your guitar collection

[@lastsong2074]

This dude is playing queen

[@TSGEnt]

I've used credit card corners before. Because those are laminated plastic, they delaminate pretty fast. May last a set, but... The bread clip does look very promising for a longer lasting option

[@Perceval2thousand]

Cut pick out of junk credit card? [scrape burr smooth (optional) with your pocket knife or fingernail file]

[@mcslamajama]

Bigger size? Long and harder? I've heard these words before

[@johnwallace2319]

Flashlight, check under the amps, check in the corner of the stage, there will be plenty of picks on the ground

[@williamkieckbusch7611]

Loved that Brian May solo

[@Bradywhite7208]

Is a crazy little thing called love in the beginning

[@aryankhatiwada6352]

WOAH! The Crazy Little thing called love solo was insane! Anyway, I cut out my old ID cards in random shapes and use it as a pick...LOL

[@kylestrozinsky8497]

Cub Foods, eh? Are you from the Minneapolis area? If so, nice. From EP myself. Keep up the good work!

[@alex_capone]

Same!!!

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Ah. Someone from the upper-class part of town. Hehe.

[@kylestrozinsky8497]

The-Art-of-Guitar Pretty neat that you’re from here. Small world! Go to a show of yours one day maybe ;)

[@POOKIE5592]

We had Cub Foods in Illinois too, but I haven't seen one for years.

[@rishinelli1519]

“Maybe good for pick scrapes.” Goes for it “AGHHHH!”

[@biromancer1766]

that gibson in the back is beautiful! ^_^

[@Geraffel]

Holy cow that's my guitar 😂♥️

[@harrisonfarruggia9608]

My broke ass not even having a penny

[@Live.Laugh.Love.Cassie]

I shaped a paper clip to the shape of a pick, it works great except I’m horrible at playing the guitar. Once I learn how to play a simple song I’m going to try playing it behind my head like Cara Delevingne does.

[@rveader]

Soda and beer can tabs work so much better than coins, plus they're ubiquitous and, basically, free.

[@reccizzsubs]

wait how have i never thought about this

[@halliebaskerville2018]

you can use a cut up bottle cap

[@sevendsdirector4661]

The pick scrape killed me

[@BatzProject]

Nice Queen solo there

[@raw_strife]

I have a small tin that I keep in my case/gig bag that always has at least a dozen picks in to avoid this problem. I would recommend something similar to absolutely everyone

[@jaynichols6868]

I just fold a C-note into a triangle and pick away.

[@mixuple]

I’ve used a quarter as a pick before.

[@jahb7496]

Just get super glue. And some plastic lids for paper coffee cups (free, anywhere). Cut identical (or somewhat) equilateral triangles in the lids. How many depends on how thick you want the pick (because those lids are oh so damn thin). Stick 'em together. Viola. Why the triangle shape? David Byrne explained by showing off his own triangular pick: "When one corner gets worn out, I just .... rotate it!" I decided on the coffee-lid method because I was evacuated from my apartment from a fire, and only had the chance to grab my guitar, so yes, you can end up in a situation with no pick - if you're in a shitty little town, as I was at the time, with no music store.

[@caelestiriege4451]

I don't actually use picks and was never used to it. So I find my fingers more useful.

[@the.one.who.doesnt.knock.]

i wanted a metal pick and wasn't trying to buy one so im trying to make nickels and quarters into metal picks

[@dextermorgan1757]

See when I was a kid me and my grandpa built my electric guitar cuz I didn't want one built by a professional company cuz the way I wanted mine belt was so I can have it the way I wanted anyways moving on I've always used a penny as a guitar pick I just like the sound of it

[@zamkowicz]

2:28

[@lalmalsawmachhangte620]

Zakk wyld won't like any one of these alternatives pick...

[@matebalazs7976]

Queen-crazy little thing called love. COOL!

[@homayinjast]

Just remove your SIMcard from your phone!

[@vincentrandles8105]

Plastic bread-tye! I've used one in a pinch before, they're not at all bad for a pick once you file one down a little bit!

[@JessicaMorgani]

Man, of you think that using a coin in a guitar string is horrible, you should test it on a bass, the worst thing that you're ever going to hear in you hole life!!!!!!!

[@thats_bridget9503]

Me: how do you keep secret from yourself. KZbinr: you pick a pocket😎

[@johnwallace2319]

Just use fingers, if you know the part, then you can make it work using your hand tentacles

[@MatteoKysely]

This literally happened like a week ago to me xd

[@DieKottis]

2:27 fucking died watching this lmfao

[@the.one.who.doesnt.knock.]

i use my watch pocket in my jeans to keep my picks

[@volantcord2210]

I was always told that using a coin as a pick was a good way to damage your strings.

[@Belseful]

You PICK like you do, ALWAYS! Enough grögg

[@djboston6654]

I only play with a coin anyone have tips on playing with picks

[@diablodavila]

I would remove the tabs off coke cans to use as picks.

[@treyce4944]

i have that exact same guitar!!!! i love it

[@blitzkrieg-9570]

Which guitar is?

[@bhaskarukout55_]

Which guitar?

[@shikarics]

This is why I don't play guitar

[@willshuler7014]

Lol you can use a quarter as a bass pick it’s great

[@aidan9752]

5:33 thats what i used to use when I didn't have a pick lol

[@MasterOfSparks]

While we're talking about plastic bag clips, one off of a bag of potatoes works Great! for securing your guitar strap to the buttons. No more slipping off.

[@dalealongsr7085]

I will go out to my car before I take a credit card and cut it up. Ha.

[@raze4555]

i lit lost all of my picks, every single one

[@gokuldinesh8851]

Aaah I found a pickpocketer

[@hostilegraveyard2849]

nail file. never fails. yup.

[@KyleBronkington]

This is random, but what do you think about the jazz iii xl?

[@KarenSinmiasa-VYP]

Thanks... It helps me a lot...

[@daddyosink4413]

I have been known to use a quarter...... often. I changed my strings a few days before every show and always had more than enough guitars at a gig, so string breakage wasnt an issue. Used to play with a guy that used jazz 3 picks, he would get a new pack and drill holes in the middle of them to get a better grip (like the bread bag thing).... he called them "speed holes"... they didn't make him play faster, or better for that matter. Lol.

[@tsfurlan]

I play a solo acoustic act, the first time I found myself in that situation I panicked but I thought of the gift card remedy, and fortunately I carry a little Swiss Army knife on my keychain it worked like a charm. ( and I was careful not to destroy the barcode ) :) Using the coin never occurred to me.

[@lololweew]

That's why I'd developed my fingerstyle pick ing and strumming

[@joshuahinz2447]

When in doubt just use you fingertip like me! I play metal sooo.... needless to say I don’t have fingertips anymore.

[@wadepatton2433]

I never buy strings without a dozen picks. I'm SEEDING THE WORLD with picks. Also I keep one or two stuck to my gitty with a dab of poster putty. And I keep one in my watch pocket every day. No matter where I'm going or doing. #tooOldtoFutzaroundWithoutaPicknomore!

[@colinmitchell9212]

Loads of places to hide picks as back ups. Guitar case is my main back up place then gig bag then taped in the hollow section of my amp and then a few in my wallet. I buy bulks of picks and just hide the whole amount in these places. LOL. Never been without a dozen plus picks yet, LOL.

[@nestacz1447]

Or you can play with plastic bottle, if someone throws one at you, you know like Daron Malakian did

[@LloydWalkerSTF]

I do a live show online, about an hour. Dropped my pick about twenty minutes in, I had no idea where the pick went so I kept jamming. AT the end of the show I had a big fat blister on two of my fingers.

[@andrewgrant1982]

for my birthday a couple of years ago, I was given something called a "pick punch" which looks like a hole punch that you use on paper, but it makes picks out of plastic cards up to 1mm in thickness

[@wadepatton2433]

Pick punch leaves a square edge that needs shaping. Yeah, got that too. And modern plastic containers are thinner at the top than the bottom, so know that when you're punching picks. You might find the taper/thickness you love. Good luck.