You're Probably Holding Your Guitar Pick WRONG.

[@BERNTHGuitarAcademy]

Download your play-along videos, tabs, guitar pro files, backing tracks, and instructional videos for all these exercises here: www.patreon.com/bernth

[@gmartins-dev]

what pick model and size/mm you're using in this video please?

[@IDGAF_PLUS]

"Nasty unprofessional transitions" sounds like a great name for any album I might record.

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

Hold up hold up, lemme take rhythm guitar on that album!👀

[@ray.a7343]

"Gratituitus noodling" is another 😂

[@neildelandy4439]

Okay, I usually don’t comment. But this solved many of my issues. I had nasty transitions but even more than that volume, accuracy, and tone when shifting from picking to chords to tapping etc. just felt awkward and weird when shifting and felt like I was hitting chords to hard and nothing felt smooth. Tried this out in one practice I solved most of that. From string skipping to arpeggios this helped a bunch. Now I know what you mean when the strings should all feel the same! Just got to get used to it. Can’t stress enough how important this is. Thanks Bernth!

[@PatDurkinMusic]

I realized my pick grip was stupid maybe 5 years ago after watching a Ben Eller video. I noticed an IMMEDIATE change in clarity, accuracy and speed. So many things I had struggled with just suddenly clicked. I picked up my original (bad) technique years prior after looking at a picture of how someone was holding the pick in a book and just thought I needed to practice more. My old guitar teacher never noticed to point it out. It’s crazy how those little micro movements make huge changes. There’s always something new to learn and you can always improve!

[@AngelPl4y3r]

Looks hard to tell but he angles the sharp edge of the pick further down (more perpendicular to his thumb if that makes sense) while he’s playing 5:03 , compared to when he shows how to hold it 3:18 , and it makes sense because it feels like he would be scratching his fingers on the strings of it was exactly what he said he does. And this is just my take, I don’t think this works as well with longer fingers.

[@souravranjansohala9368]

The main purpose I watch Bernth seriously is to learn the beautiful concepts behind those. And you deliver amazing facts behind everything you teach... I'll work on it, thank you very much

[@TheMirrorify]

Hey man just want to say thank you. Something as simple as moving the pick from near the fingertip to more towards the middle knuckle on my index finger really solved some control issues for me. Thanks again!

[@emailaddress9678]

holy shit i have the exact problem you described where i keep getting "stuck" on strings, so i searched for a solution. so glad i found your video! thank you so much for fixing my life

[@guyfawkes8873]

A request: could you do a video on avoiding injury? I personally ran into some minor shoulder/wrist RSI type injuries from getting back into the guitar too quickly, and trying to change things too fast, partially by following routines and advice from this channel, combined with some bad posture habits (sitting cross legged while playing apparently strains the left shoulder, who knew o.O), that I subsequently learned increases the risk of guitar related injury. Just feel like it’s a topic that maybe KZbin doesn’t have enough advice on x)

[@ischi8368]

Maybe I am doing something wrong, but I get the impression that the direction where the tip of the pick is pointing in your demonstration around 3:00 is not the one it would be,if you came from an actual playing postion.

[@MikeDBZ]

This holy shit hahahhahah it's not even the same

[@wyrdegebraecon]

I've been struggling so much with pick slanting because of the way I'm holding the pick. thx a lot for the video!

[@eidolon8816]

The only way of holding a pick that doesn't cause cramps for me is holding it between my thumb and index like I'm trying to write with it. Gives me the most amount of control and touch feedback. Feeling the pick with the side of the last bone of your index helps me keep track of which string I am, how much force I'm using etc which results in a more confident way of playing.

[@rocksquared]

At the beginning, I was like wth, you want us to hold the pick this weird way ?? That is a broken advice or what ?? But then I gave it a try, because you have lots of credibility, and you made a video about it, you must have your reasons after all. And indeed, after giving it a try a for one day, I feel faster and more precise than holding the pick at the tip of my index! Thanks!! I thought I had nothing to change about my right hand, I am now almost done transitioning and happy I saw your video :)

[@CitizenFortress]

Ironically I have been picking like this for years, for this sole reason: I like to play lead guitar, but I also like to do alternate picking RHYTHM guitar, and it's really really difficult to do the upward brush when alternate picking if your pick is flat. So I angled it down, then I realized I was holding it too close to the edge of the pick, so I gave it more space. I found pretty quick that I could go from rhythm to lead without muting or hitting other strings, and most importantly, I could gallop too. My difficulty has been trying to ensure I can bounce from the low strings to high strings and STILL palm mute. When I was a kid I injured my right pinky finger and cut the tendon, I can't close it naturally, so it just kind of sticks out and sometimes gets in the way. I've tried to use it to my advantage by allowing that finger to naturally palm mute for me, but by doing so it changes the rotation of my pick and makes it more difficult. Any thoughts on this??

[@raneshmaurya]

bro uploads at exactly my practice time

[@AbbieGreenMusic]

I've been waiting for this video!

[@DarthWinterMadness]

This latest video kind of arrived at the right time for me. I saw one of your videos mentioning how my hand should have the same angle playing on any string. That's when I became conscious to how bad my picking technique was. I also held my pick backwards and my hand was doing a fanning motion while changing strings. Which meant that although I was able to play some stuff with some proficiency (you can see it with the two 10+ year old videos on my channel, the only two guitar videos I've ever posted), a lot of energy was wasted due to using different muscle groups for each strings in different ways. So attained a plateau that almost had me quit guitar. I've then spent my time learning more on drums, where my improvement is still going. Anyways, I've been experimenting and searching for the best way to pick since your initial video. So again, this new video arrived at the right time. When I'm going crazy because nothing is really working. I'm not in my appartement so I don't have my guitar with me, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow. But since you're the reason I realized the issues with my picking technique in the first place, it's only right I take your next lesson as seriously. Honestly it's like poetry, it rhymes.(IYKYK) Cheers from France! 🍻

[@temorinkaari]

This is great..except that you can't really see the pick grip properly. Need more angles. The way you show it seems slightly different to when you play because of this

[@m2svirtual384]

@temorinkaari That's because more and more YT guitar teacher creators are just creating infomercial front-ends whose sole intention it is to herd viewers to their Patreon accounts or 'advanced lessons' that are behind paywalls. 'Advanced lessons' simply means much in the video you are actually watching is being withheld or manipulated so you will have to pay for the actual 'promised' product or end result. I have no problem with teachers who want to start building a reliable income. I have a problem with misrepresenting commercials as 'lessons'. You waste 8 minutes only to eventually hear the switch to "If you want to learn more...". Ben Eller is one creator amongst a dwindling few who still give a full lesson while offering ACTUAL additional content on his Patreon. But the lesson alluded to in his YT titles are always fully delivered.

[@mypetmoose2079]

Yea I'm struggling to match his pick grip. I feel lke I can't really truly see how hes holding it

[@holesister]

pause the video at about 3:18 and try to copy that. basically grip the pick between your thumb and between the pointer knuckles with a little overlap on the top knuckle, to take the pressure off the tip of your pointer. your attack should be perpendicular but at a downward slant, like this: -\-

[@erichartwell6792]

That is the way I hold it and I rarely drop it this way too💯🤘🏻

[@christianklutsch3671]

I mostly struggle with the rhythm playing with a small pointy pick like the jazz iii.

[@mohammadsharififard1686]

Thank you!! This is exactly what I needed!!

[@illegalsaltsniffer3664]

Hi Bernth, thank you so much for this awesome lesson. I have already seen plenty of your video on how to hold the plectrum and I have advanced because of it. However, with your grip and with my slight modifications, I am still changing my grip to play pinch-harmonics and they constantly vary in pitch and I can’t perform a pinch-harmonic on the low-E string. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping me achieve so much on my guitar journey, Have a good day!

[@danilorg]

I'm playing some fast songs from Angra and I'll try this way of holding the pick to get better. Thank you so much.

[@MohamMohami]

Thank you bernth❤❤

[@MortonCammar]

The problem with my pick grip is that it seems to work. I can play the exercises. But I realise I hold it completely differently. Like my index finger is straight and I basically pinch the pick. Sometimes I even hold with three fingers when sweeping.

[@chrispbacon9971]

that reverse picking angle is me and i also use arm motions because of that grip having that angle means my arm needs to be lower so i have no space to use my wrist. I tried changing it but i found myself having a harder time gliding through the strings and constantly gets stuck on a string when playing

[@christophergray42]

This might help me...thank you, very much. Awesome 🙌🍻

[@JeffLiMama]

And I’m still confused about my palm placement, should it suspend above the strings or lag behind the pick or on the bridge?

[@ricopaxton]

Marty Friedman,"Hold my beer, kanpai!"

[@kelcifer6197]

I’ve watched this video so many times , it’s hard to break bad habits lol

[@krispiesvfx]

I just wanted to ask, ive tried this grip and i can vouch its such a game changer, and im playing way faster and better than i was before, but it sounds so much more scratchy than before, am i doing something wrong? especially on the low strings its just scratching the strings like crazy

[@l_Tushar_l]

but will it work for hybrid picking

[@chrisdykes8251]

I have struggled with speed and accuracy issues since i started playing back in the early 90's. I wish there were videos like this then. Trying to reposition the pick this way on very short fingers is like learning to write with the off hand. And i find i keep hitting the strings with the last knuckle of the adjacent fingers now 😢.

[@duskern]

Something that I have been wondering about for a long time is, if this picking technique is valid for something like black metal? I've been trying it out, but I keep going back to my normal way of picking, as it simply feels easier for playing the stuff I normally play, which is old school black metal. When using this picking technique it feels a bit clunky. What could I possible be doing wrong? I am hoping I can some way come to see the light, because as you mentioned in the video, I actually do have to change grip when playing solos and such. Great video though :)

[@Wh33lsofFortune]

You should consider checking out the Ernie Ball prodigy plectrums. I use them and have come to really appreciate them. They have little bit larger size vs a jazz iii but they have a really precise point to them. I know you did a couple videos on plectrums already, but I was surprised you didn't mention these. one.

[@gmartins-dev]

what pick model and size/mm they're using in this video please?

[@Wh33lsofFortune]

@@gmartins-dev looks like he's using picks that are similar to Ernie Ball jazz 3s except it's his own model. That would be similar to the jazz iii 1.38mm

[@gmartins-dev]

@@Wh33lsofFortune thanks so much :)

[@Wh33lsofFortune]

@@gmartins-dev you're welcome 🤘

[@Ziplomatic007]

If your acoustic strumming is making a tin, weak, ringing sound, this will immediately fix it. I started as a metal player and used this grip, but I switched away from it when I learned acoustic. Now trying to learn this grip again, my biggest issue is I have thick hands and it is harder for me to keep my fingers from brushing the strings when I play. I guess I have to learn this skill all over again. I used to think the type of pick changed your sound. I bought 100 types of picks. Now I realize its all about how you hold the pick that makes your sound. I wish I had learned this sooner.

[@sigiligus]

This way of holding the pick seems to improve my rhythm playing, but I can’t shred with it.

[@EmilKieta]

what do you think about the way how Pat Metheny holds the pick?

[@haroldbaker555]

No matter what I do, every time I strum chords my pick gets stuck and moves around and it feels terrible

[@SeraphOfTheNine]

Not an expert - probably too close to the strings and digging in or maybe you'd succeed with a different pick. I had the same issue when I was learning Deathmask Divine. I was too close at first and after getting better I ended up trying Jazz 3 XLs 1.14mm then switched to Petrucci picks. So far they feel best but I'm not convinced it's the ultimate pick for everyone. Everyone has different hands. Good luck 🤘

[@haroldbaker555]

@@SeraphOfTheNine I have been using green Dunlop Tortex's for most of my career. I will give those Petrucci picks a try. Much appreciation, needed this today.

[@MasterJuan-os3os]

Marty Friedman likes this video. 👍

[@andaniletlalo2877]

Me: watches this while having an acoustic 👁👄👁

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

Strings and picks are strings and picks

[@Kalbsgrinder]

0:09 banana grip

[@bintang_sakti]

Aww man i have to relearn to hold the pick again , i knew i'm holding it wrong

[@ganjalord42]

i had problem holding my pick an playing more then a minute without feeling it getting loose , im trying to hold the pick the way he does , and im just wondering if its normal that there almost no sound coming from the string when playing unplugged , thx

[@IanAlan-nd5zx]

There should still be sound coming from ur strings. It gets better with time, and needs some getting used to. Has it gotten better since this reply

[@suno186]

I had heard grace bowers talk about that same pick grip in an interview, so when I saw this I decided to give it a try. it was a little tricky to adjust at first but it sped up my playing immediately and made it way more consistent, especially with alternate and sweep picking

[@c.9164]

Does this grip work best for long fingers? I've tried this in the past and I get a lot of scraping noise. The only way I can seem to get it to work is if my guitar is super high, so bottom of guitar at belly button and top at base of my neck. I have average lady hands so it seems like this grip is not a one size fits all....

[@neildelandy4439]

I had the same problem and gave up on this grip because I saw him do it about a year or so ago. then just now I tried it again but adjusted my hand and wrist and made it to where it was comfortable and this solved a lot of my issues even though I didn’t do it exactly. The key point to me was put the pick farther down the finger than felt normal, but since I had small fingers I can’t put it exactly where he shows. But he is right, it does add a lot of stability

[@c.9164]

@neildelandy4439 appreciate the perspective. I'll try same technique after next knuckle and see if that helps. Also plan on punching some holes in my strap to jack it up a few inches.

[@stephenbryan219]

Yes, this grip doesn't work unless you have long fingers. I've tried it several times and the pick just points in the wrong direction unless I bend my wrist awkwardly. I actually think it's irresponsible to say it's the correct technique when it can't work for everyone.

[@doilydally9856]

@@stephenbryan219I have long fingers and this grip makes my hand cramp and my index finger keeps scraping against the strings. I’ve been playing for 20 years. Maybe I’m too far gone to try or this grip might be bs.

[@inserteunnombreapropiado9079]

Still my pick gets stuck in between the strings help (I only know one song and it's my first, _Hail to the King_ , the rhythm).

[@IanAlan-nd5zx]

It gets better, just practice alot. It will get better, takes about a month I think for it to feel better.

[@DadbodDadbod]

Can you keep this same grip when hybrid picking?

[@IanAlan-nd5zx]

I can. U have to hybrid pick at an angle with ur other fingers though.

[@markwsanders]

🖤🔥🤘

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

I knew this video was FAR past my current skill level when I saw him talking about combining 2NPS and 3NPS then when he mentioned sweep picking😂

[@ray.a7343]

I hold it with my middle finger and first finger😢3 finger action

[@lovethepandainyou]

I came here hoping my pick technique was the issue. It clearly wasn't. I just need more practice! XD

[@Michas333]

no i'm not holding it wrong, i'm playing exclusively fingerstyle.

[@xcx8646]

By playing a lot of surf rock recently - and therefore really improving my single note tremolo picking - I have naturally adopted this grip. No kidding - it has unlocked speed. However, it doesn't work for me when I'm strumming funk. Frustrating.

[@papadavewatson]

Go tell Jimmy Herring how to hold his pick correctly.

[@TheDJKIA]

am i the only one that wants to PICK that piece of dead skin off that thumb? :D excellent video, thanks for the tips!

[@irreverentium]

Ya got a long thumb😮