Picks On The Ukulele? Some different types to try, and some tips on playing with a pick/plectrum

[@NoNameFish247]

What a comprehensive review! Great job, mate! Cheers from the U.S.

[@PhilDoleman]

Cheers!

[@20Hikecdt23]

Thank you so much. I’m a new baritone U player. I am now going to try picks thanks again.

[@chrisnurczyk8239]

As a beginning baritone uke player who is 70 yrs old & has some bad arthritis & tendinitis in my R hand, strumming was a problem. Looking at picks, holding one w/my aching digits was too much. Plastic thumb picks were easier to get a good strum w/out dropping it, but the plastic was too hard and gave a harsh sound. I got a Dunlop thumb pick (just like your white one) and some stiffer Dunlop felt picks that are tapered in thickness to the tip. I nip off some of the white pick's tip w/a toenail clipper, and bond it to the felt pick w/Pliobond cement so the tip of the felt pick takes over (you have to clamp them together til they dry). I can hang onto it easily, my hand doesn't get as tired & painful, and I think the sound quality is pretty good as I strum. A good geriatric hack, I think.

[@PhilDoleman]

I'm really pleased you found a solution. I don't know if you've seen Sammy Turton (goes by 4stringboy online), a brilliant young player who uses that exact same idea)

[@chrisnurczyk8239]

@@PhilDoleman I'm not familiar w/Sammy, but now I'll look him up - and thanks!

[@SargeO88]

Crazy they don’t have a rubber, felt, or leather thumb picks already made.

[@maotsuka]

Thank you so much for this video, Mr. Phil! Because of my job I need to keep my fingernails really short and I can no longer use them to play. I chose felt picks because I enjoy the sound better than plastic ones, but I had no idea how to hold them. This was really informative. Love from Brasil 🇧🇷

[@paulminnihan8946]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@billyaitken7461]

Picks rock for Banjolele & resonator Uke 🇬🇧😎👍

[@jamesanthony8438]

I've only purchased two felt picks since I started playing in 1999. The first one wore out quickly and started sounding like crap so I bought the second. After it suffered the same fate in the same amount of time, I gave up on them. They were costing me too much money (I think they were around $3 or $4 each at the time) so I decided to just use normal guitar picks. I've been really happy with the sound that I get from the .60 mm picks on my Soprano Ukuleles. =)

[@PhilDoleman]

I'm really pleased you've found the right ones for you!

[@lindasmith6668]

Good job explaining this topic have miserable time trying to hold a pick. You really need helped me

[@davidthelefty]

Thanks so much Phil, you give fabulously informative, complete and easy to understand instructions. I’ve been playing, performing and teaching for over 50 years and I’m very aware of the need to get the information out clearly. I appreciate the way you cover these important skills for new players.

[@bigbrushlittlebrush2]

Thank you very well explained from NZ

[@ottohoulihan2743]

And I thought I was the only one using a pick! I find the Dunlop nylon ones with a bit of grip on are fine.

[@justanotherclaire7402]

That's the one I got now and it's quite nice

[@eileenlander1380]

Oh, you star! I have tried using picks but very unsuccessfully. You have inspired me now. Excuse me while I go away and practice....for a few years!

[@clawhammer704]

You might need to find a better way to hold ur pick and not stum as hard. How he shows how to hold a pick in this video is how I hold mine. It seems ackward at first but once you get used to using a pick that way you will stay that way.

[@eileenlander1380]

@@clawhammer704 I find it hard not to get a clicking sound - but I’m working on it. I’m sure it’s down to how you hold it, having watched Phil.

[@djba]

Thanks very much for this helpful video. I am a beginner baritone player who is currently strumming with my thumb. I have read that I need to progress to strumming with my index finger but the sound seems very erratic. I am going to try some picks.

[@PhilDoleman]

It's good to be able to use the thumb, the finger, and maybe even picks. Don't worry about being a thumb strummer too much though, I love playing with my thumb!

[@mamurphyb]

Great video, and thank you as well for the thoughtful replies to people's comments. I am going to investigate where to buy picks now (aside from Amazon).

[@pmcgiv4321]

I remember watching Mark Knopfler , he said the pick is the greatest amplifier , he was talking about acoustic guitars but I'm sure its the same for most string instruments

[@rivergoghmoon]

Very helpful video! I have nail issues but just bought a ukelele and was curious about picks

[@LarryShone]

Good stuff Phil, I quite like the felt pick sound, its mellow, and quieter, which is what I need being at home with other people who might not be too happy if I'm giving it welly with a piece I'm learning! I do have a felt pick that I made myself by cutting a piece from an old table runner, but its too thin and floppy. I might look for a proper one. Or even a leather pick

[@kazbrown5266]

Best info I've found on this subject, definitely going to subcribe.

[@Soulwise22]

great stuff...clear, and simple to grasp! am having a problem with my fingers, Peripheral Neuropathy. I am glad I can be able to do well with a pick. Many of us seniors are having trouble with our hand etc... If you have more wanys to help us continue with our love of playing we would love it.

[@PhilDoleman]

Thanks Anita. I do have this one which might be of interest kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnatiGutp6-cjs0

[@grantryder5463]

Thanks for using the Millar. Sounds great with a pic/plectrum. Probably the only comprehensive ukulele pic/plectrum review on the internet. :)

[@wschield608]

I always enjoy how easy going you are as you explain the points you are making in your videos, thank you. Have you ever tried a Bumblebee pick. Hands down my favorite thumb pick. It is a two piece black and yellow pick, hence the bumblebee name. It is adjustable in a way where the pick itself can be angled towards the front or back as well as in or out to set the pick exactly where you want it without trimming it and changing the flexibility. Although you may have to search around for a good price it’s definitely worth a shot. Anyway, just my two cents worth and thank you again for posting. Wes

[@PhilDoleman]

Thanks! I've not tried one, but would like too. I've seen them pop up on my facebook feed.

[@wschield608]

@@PhilDoleman they run $3.99 each at Strings by Mail. Good luck!

[@derekbudd2394]

Great review as ever Phil. Have you heard anything about the Blue Chick Thumb picks? There are a growing number of players that perfected a very accomplished style of playing using mainly the thumb. Recent videos posted offer some fabulous examples using a very light stroke and giving a great pure tone. It doesn’t always require the volume as you suggest for example a resonator. I have always enjoyed Kimo Hussey’s relaxed style by way of an illustration. Keep up the great work and as Matt writes in his recent Editorial in the Uke Magazine, “The Ukulele is to get started, but difficult to master.”

[@PhilDoleman]

Hi Derek, I've not tried their thumb picks, but the flatpicks are great, just a little out of my price range! I play a lot with my thumb and funnily enough have been working on using just a thumb pick for that style recently.

[@danspellacy2838]

What do you think of those "Shaker" picks.. You know.. the ones that give you some percussion?

[@PhilDoleman]

I've not tried a pick, but the velcro attached finger shakers can make an interesting sound, especially when you're busking and need to make a real racket!

[@borocavalier]

Nice video,1st time I have heard picks discussed. Just for fun and as an experiment I tried making picks from different materials, from plastic to leather. I made some plastic picks from old empty margarine tubs. Just cut them out and sand the edges. I have a felt one but like you said it is a bit thick. Leather is also a soft giving material to try.

[@davidbliss5294]

I have made some as well but used old credit cards or the free gift cards you can pick up at stores

[@odontomatix]

Tommy Emmanuel is a virtuoso guitar picker. He advises to get a lot of different thumb picks so you can choose the one that fits the best at the time you play. He said his thumb changes size at different times of day, probably due to temperature or his state of hydration.

[@PhilDoleman]

Tommy is amazing. I usually have half a dozen in my case just in case of loss/ breakage, but I've never thought about different sizes.

[@larrychoat]

Very good information. When I first started playing uke and was trying to get volume, I found that my fingernails started hurting, so I bought some felt picks. But I rarely use any picks. I think I'm going to try a thumb pick for flexibility. Why are so many uke videos made by Brits?

[@PhilDoleman]

I don't know, other than the uke is massive over here!

[@larrychoat]

Any idea how or when the uke became so massive in the UK. Oh wait, I think I answered my own question, UKE-UK. It's a UK-lele@@PhilDoleman

[@PhilDoleman]

@@larrychoat 🙂I think it has a lot to do both George Formby and then the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

[@congerscott6064]

I use a fender 351 heavy, really like flat picking a ukulele 👍.

[@EagleUkes]

Another great informational video...cheers...:)

[@roberteverest]

Thanks Phil. Did you find that the transparent pick gets floppier while playing as it warms up in your hand, or do I just have hot hands?

[@linj65]

Very helpful video, thank you. Sorry for the late question - what brand is the felt pick you are demonstrating? I am asking because the 'soft' felt picks I have found so far are rock hard and sound worse (harsher) than the nylon guitar picks which I have!

[@PhilDoleman]

I got mine from Southern Ukulele Store. They can be a bit stiff at first, but they soften up after a few hours play.

[@linj65]

Thanks, Phil, I'll therefore persevere with the ones I've got! Cheers!

[@ruibui4388]

Thanks👍🏻…Phil,what brand is your uke on this video?..Nice ❤️

[@PhilDoleman]

The resonator uke is a Beltona, and the wooden one is my Millar signature model.

[@ruibui4388]

@@PhilDoleman Thanks for replying🙏🏽👍🏻….I love❤️ the warm sound & the looks…very nice.

[@trevorboyd1570]

Great video as usual. Do you have a favourite brand of plastic fingerpicks? As as lifelong guitarist my tip (which I'm sure you know) for retrieving a plectrum from inside the instrument is a pencil or similar with a blob of BluTack on the end.

[@PhilDoleman]

Thanks Trevor. I have tried all sorts of fancy (expensive!) thumb/fingerpicks, but in the end I decided I'd be better off with the standard plastic Dunlops. They're cheap, easy to get hold off, and the white ones show up on the stage when you drop them! Yes, I've used the blutac trick many times!

[@twigd3825]

Try Jim Dunlap nylon .38 & .46 mm

[@angelagarcia3451]

Thanks a lot I like all yours videos Muchas gracias Me gustan todos tus videos

[@emmajayne9999]

I like the dunlop plastic picks, or leather plectrums. For me felt sounds muddy and hard plastic too harsh. Of course could be my technique.

[@vogelinvlucht]

May I ask.. Why do you choose not to play an amplified ukelele and prefer the amplification of the microphone?

[@PhilDoleman]

I used to plug in, but I was never really happy with the sound quality, it always sounded 'artificial'. On stage I often play resonator ukes and banjos, which are already plenty loud enough to capture with a microphone, though I have performed with a wooden uke into a mic too.

[@vogelinvlucht]

@@PhilDoleman Ok! Thank you so much for your reply. Have been learning loads from your videos. The reason I asked was because I ordered a ukelele that someone will bring me all the way to east-Africa, and it does have a build-in amplifier, I was wondering if maybe you just prefer ukulele without them due to the difference of sound on a general level. Thanks again!

[@odontomatix]

I had a problem that flat picks would spin around slightly as I played and end up in a bad position. I found a flat pick that solved it. The pick has a multi -pointed star shaped hole in its center. That prevents the spin. It also has less tendency for slipping out and dropping. It's my favorite one now.

[@PhilDoleman]

I have one with holes in somewhere that is nice and grippy.

[@whitecoconut22]

I made a pick myself ;)

[@EagleUkes]

Hi Phil...I would like a piece of advice....all my ukes are electro acoustic as I perform a lot of stage. I notice you say yours aren't so are picks the answer to just getting a good acoustic uke and loud enough for stage performances? Its just that I've got my eye on an acoustic tenor uke but worried that it'll not being loud enough up on stage...I'd appreciate your thoughts...cheers...:)

[@PhilDoleman]

I use a microphone on stage, so really I'm thinking about making enough acoustic sound for the mic to pick up without it having to be turned up so loud that it squeals with feedback. Only occasionally can I get away with playing unamplified altogether. That said, picks will still work with electric ukes, and people often use them to help with fast lead parts, but you might have to be more careful about how the pickup amplifies any pick noise (especially from harder picks). Personally, I think your'e always better off with an acoustic instrument and then if you wnt a pickup, get one fitted later, you'll defintely get a better quality one (many of the factory installed ones are not great), plus you'll have more choice as to whether you want an undersaddle, a soundboard transducer, an internal mic, or whatever.

[@EagleUkes]

@@PhilDoleman Cheers Phil for that great advice....its much appreciated...:)

[@clawhammer704]

Thank you for this video....this I see has a lot of intriguing and interesting informative ideas. I use a bluechip pick with guitar and mandolin. What r the clear picks to be had? Thanks

[@PhilDoleman]

Bluechip picks are great, absolutely everyone ha them at the bluegrass camp I taught at, so I got to try loads! I got the clear picks from Southern Ukulele Store www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/accessories/plectrums/

[@sandralepori442]

Can you te lol me what to do. I don’t like a pick but I wear away my finger nail if I don’t wear a pick.

[@PhilDoleman]

I have very short nails and often play with the flesh of my fingertips. It'll take a while to get used to it and toughen up the skin.

[@Aichauer]

Hi Phil, what Thump-Pick do you prefer?🤗By the way, this is my second night, watching all of your videos, but always, when i decide to sleep i think: „Come on… only ONE more!“😂

[@PhilDoleman]

I use a Dunlop large, the white ones. Thanks for watching!

[@ronnipaints6128]

Put a blue dot or heart on the clear one

[@nigeldavey1043]

I wonder, would those leather picks you sometimes see advertised be similar to using a felt one ?

[@PhilDoleman]

I have tried one, and they are very similar.

[@nigeldavey1043]

@@PhilDoleman thanks, I was thinking they may last longer than the felt ones I've tried. Think I'll try leather now then.

[@yvonnedoherty7666]

What about wooden picks

[@PhilDoleman]

Good point. I don't have any and they are quite expensive, but I have tried them before on my guitar, and I found them to be very, very similar to a hard plastic pick.

[@mypeeps1112]

I need a grip on mine:((