You're Probably Using The WRONG Pick Grip!

[@Bernthguitar]

Download today's exercise play-along videos, tabs, backing tracks & guitar pro files ▶ www.patreon.com/bernth - happy practicing 🤘

[@knightstalker87]

THANKS BERNTH 🤘🏾😎

[@udayanmustafi3963]

🎸

[@rock24by7]

Hi Bernth, I have a question to ask you , would be grateful if you reply. I always alternate pick going from 6th to 1st string. However while coming back from 1st to 6th string , I always start with a downstroke on the next string. Is it a bad practice I have learnt ? I have been playing guitar for good 7 - 8 years now. However I can play moderately fast with my technique. I'm able to cover tornado of souls by Megadeth. Kindly share your opinion on my picking technique. Should I relearn alternate picking coming from 1st to 6th string?

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

Love your lessons. Could i sum it up by saying if you are doing a run down from the low E you slant your pick (the tip of it) downwards, and when you get to the lighter E string to come back up, you slant the tip of the pick slightly up? Is that about right. I've been playing guitar for a while and want to move forwards and I'm trying to get the CORRECT way of things so I don't start bad habits that will be hard to change later. Is there a video just on these basics to get everything right (including where to hold your wrist when picking. Is it slightly above the string or do you rest on the actual strings as you play?). So, The basics in this video plus how you rest your wrist and when you pick (from the wrist) do you do a side to side movement or side to side PLUS a slight rolling motion. If you havn't got a video with all these could you please make one? Or do you do video lessons? Your help would be GREATLY appreciated. Oh, and i just want to master alternate picking first before adding other techniques... thanks and cheers from downunder.

[@bs_rafnra]

I can't play guitar at all, I don't understand the scales on the guitar, I don't understand the meaning of notes, but I really want to be able to play melodies, that's why I joined Patreon. can you help me to be able to play guitar fast??

[@bryanwchambers9734]

I've was a downstroke escape guy exclusively for a very long time. (1983-2015) I could not play certain licks for some "mysterious" reason and that frustrated me like crazy Then I watched Troy Grady's Cracking the Code. What a game changer that was. I grew up and learned guitar in the golden age of the shred era but no one new this simple piece of information. Thanks for spreading it across the world.

[@mrproplayer7687]

@@heyjarrod i dont really care about looks lol

[@louiscyfer6944]

@@heyjarrod this was certainly a thing. not as widely available, but it was known.

[@denmun9722]

This guy has helped me tighten up my alternate picking (to name one technique) like you wouldn't believe... Best guitar related channel out there

[@yogxoth1959]

Was it this video specifically that helped you?

[@dannydav709]

@@yogxoth1959 wondering the same

[@bobrosstwin5373]

He’s really helped me with sweep picking I never thought I could do it and I just watched a few videos of his, learned technique and practiced a lot and now I’m sweeping on 5 strings.

[@thenuttednutter2669]

@@bobrosstwin5373fuckn fire. Wonder how u doin a year later.

[@bobrosstwin5373]

good@@thenuttednutter2669

[@heliosophist334]

Thanks Bernth, your advice is priceless. As a self-taught guitar player, my skills plateaued a few years ago and frustrated me to the point that I didn't play at all for a while. I felt "humiliated" with every mistake. Your channel and personal journey inspired me, at long last, to reach for more and rekindle my relationship with this wonderful instrument. To anyone going through similar struggles: let go of your preconceptions, pay attention to your flaws and keep practicing. You will find joy in playing again even if it feels that you are starting from scratch.

[@awesome7732]

that's huge advice. I'm in the same boat and I'm currently in the humiliated with every mistake stage. I have to find what you found but for piano

[@sciomancy6]

I switched to Jazz III picks and never looked back. Definitely recommend giving it a try.

[@xjt9787]

Jazz III for the win!

[@EsaValkama]

Jazz 3s are great, but there are too many of them. I have 14 different kinds of Jazz 3s, and I've spent the last 10 years switching between them, never being able to decide which one I like the best (Currently I use the carbon fiber max grip Jazz 3s) XD

[@sciomancy6]

@@EsaValkama Max grip is what I use too

[@sc7244]

That’s what I use 👍🏻

[@theiyashrama7606]

Ibanez elastomer 2.5mm are now my go to picks can't go back to anything else

[@BeamRider100]

Great job describing this. I learnt this from playing a lot, then noticing afterwards that I was tilting different ways depending on whether I was going up or down. I didn't know there was a name for it, downstring and upstring escape, but that's exactly right.

[@visanic]

I’m not a metal guy but your technique videos are very good for any genre! Thanks.

[@rhuebner82]

Randomly found your channel. These are the little tips that really go unnoticed and not practiced that make a huge difference. Thanks! Discovered a great trick and cool new band!

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

Bernth, your videos are really, really great! Technically, I haven't found any better on KZbin. One thing I would like to point out, is that whenever you show your pick grip by itself, you show the pick resting on the middle phalanx of your index finger pretty much orthogonal to it (pointing straight out). However, when you are picking, you are holding the pick more toward your distal phalanx (the last digit), kind of over the DIP joint. It's really big difference. This confused the heck out of me in a couple of your videos!! That being said, I have adjusted my picking more toward how you suggest and my accuracy has really improved! Please keep the videos rolling, thanks!

[@Nowo78]

I noticed the same thing ...

[@kadencedw4645]

Same here it threw me off for a little while. I was wondering what I was doing wrong with my pick grip, until I noticed it that he was actually holding it closer to the DIP and not the middle phalanx like he showed in the beginning.

[@bettachela]

I don't understand why he continues to show this grip while actually he holds the pick differently when he plays

[@AdamA8]

@@bettachela Exactly!

[@iancruickshank9287]

That threw me off when I went to try it. I'm like, "How the heck does this guy strum a chord playing like that?" so I headed to the comments. On another note, do you find yourself kind of brushing your pointer finger along the strings or not so much?

[@smokenwhisky9163]

I can’t stand listening to that type of music, but I most certainly appreciate the mad skills that go into it! You have brought something to my attention that makes perfect sense! So a shredder is teaching an old cowboy new tricks! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@cylelance4307]

Pick slanting is the hardest thing I’ve tried to learn on guitar.. it feels so good when you get a quick second of it down but gosh dang it’s different 😂

[@shredwithmeg8080]

Omg thankyou for including the seance intro riff in this video,, i absolutely love it and wanted to learn it since I heard it... Amazing video as always

[@zaz4667]

Those close up video shots of his face when his eyes open up really wide are freaking me out! Like really bugging! I am gonna have to re-watch this to see what he is teaching!

[@nellax8314]

dude this is nuts.... that etude is amazing, and i love how you're using lessons to plug your band and its a really good plug. thats so cool and your helping so many people with this lesson gonna check out the band (oh its a solo project cool) :)

[@brinun01]

I use a large, triangular Dunlop pick, with (paper punch) triangular pattern (4 holes, with one in the center and three toward the pick corners) which allows my fingers to touch in the center (no slipping with any grip firmness) and the resulting "tangs" dig into my fingers a bit. I can grasp loosely or firmly as I like, depending on the desired result. This works well for me. I can't provide a photo here, but the holes overlap slightly, to create the tangs pointing toward the center.

[@hannibalbarkas1350]

For the people who don't like the small Jazz III there is also the XL one. Best Pick I've ever tried.

[@THEJimmiChanga]

been holding the pic wrong for 15 years. Just that alone is a huge revelation for me. It's like learning how to play all over again but within seconds I can see how much more accurate holding it with two fingers are and where the speed comes from.

[@SiggiSegelfahrer]

lol same here...i feel like an idiot right now

[@jayphilpot2909]

wow, as it turns out i simply had my pick too far forward, fingers too far splayed, and hand too tense. this video really helped thanks

[@mauricemarin5810]

I love how all your exercises are efficient and short. Really amazing job

[@ojeboye23]

Thank you so much for your videos. You are such a professional teacher and guitarplayer. Your pick grip increased my scale speed directly!

[@cptnbangatron2221]

God damn man. I must say, at first your channel looked a bit like content for the sake of content. But a good while back a video of yours pointed me towards EZMix 2, which absolutely blew my mind, it's by far the best sounding VST I have EVER heard. And NOW I'm coming back to this specific video to tell you I ordered some Jazz III picks (Ultex tho, I love that stuff) and I'm completely having my mind blown again! Thank you so much for making such relevant content and making it available for free. You're not just filling 10 minute videos with the same old recycled tips everybody gives, you're giving us the info we actually need!

[@codyroberts4511]

Man... your teaching techniques are great... I've had the same picking technique for 25 years and I just started doing what you said to do and oh my God things are changing for the better thanks a lot my man!

[@kubilaycelebi5565]

You are a life saver ! İ was getting so frustrated for years with my picking hand because i couldn't build speed and it always felt sloppy.Even from day 1 the difference was amazing.Thank you for spreading your knowledge !

[@MegaEdits]

Glad to see your color correcting game becoming stronger! You used to have such grey looking video's. Just a little more red I think would make it perfect. Or lower the green and blue a tiny bit

[@Ruebengericht]

Really, this is invaluable stuff. Thank you! To me, the "kung fu approach" was very, very helpful: Focus on ONE issue at a time, ONE body part, ONE movement, etc. to improve. Start slow, be precise, precision makes you fast and effortless. Even though I am in my 40s, this helped me to improve my playing tremendously. Sometimes the small details are making the difference, the pick grip, the force of the palm resting on the bridge... and so on. Thank you for providing all the little tricks and details for the optimal playing technique. Written from a jazzer and funker :-)!

[@JimInAnthem]

This video helped me in a mind-blowing way! I didn't know I was holding the pick "wrong". I wasting so much time in moving up and down inefficiently, and got so fatigued so quickly. I tried to put these techniques to use and I started laughing - it was like I was suddenly a different player. Subscribed now and all that!

[@TedBarton91]

You’re videos are truly incredible and your explanations are so easy to understand. I just can’t get over you counting “one” with your thumb 😂 31 years and I’ve never seen that

[@uncleremus5046]

Brother thank you so much! That Grip has finally unlocked my wrist & it feels great! 🤘

[@MitchellCFlint]

Coming here from incorrect picking technique (for years I've held the pick with both my pointer and middle), this is such a good video to work on good habits

[@mikesmit9770]

Mate, bad picking technique held me back for 8 years maybe. I massively improved a few years ago when I put a lot of work into better technique (thanks to Troy Grady). Thanks for sharing better picking technique with all of us, no one ever really talked about this in the 80s and 90s

[@Sankaritarina89]

"then you can play along on Spotify" great marketing move 😆

[@thenuttednutter2669]

Ive basically been reworking my practice, eliminating bad habit after bad habit slowly, and progressing my good habits. My playing was way too messy and as I started wanting to write harder and harder music, I found myself blocked. Sweep picking, hammer ons/pull offs, and my left hand have improved a lot. However, my bad habits with tremolo is haunting me so ive been surfing the best ways to improve that

[@Thisisnttravis]

Hey thanks!! Was using two fingers and a thumb with lots of pressure for the longest time.. Always avoided picking technique so I could focus on the fretboard but now I see the difference in my playing

[@anthony.welch628]

This guy is awesome & makes a very good, effective & intelligent guitar teacher!❤

[@scottsalyards584]

One of my band's songs includes a section of 12 bars with continuous down stroke palm mutes. Before I started gripping the pick further up my index finger, I couldn't get through it before my wrist tapped out.

[@jeffcook3277]

Joe Pass once told me (in 1971), "Hold it only as hard as you need to without dropping it!" I usda mow his lawn in Van Nuys growing up and lived close by. Remember when Dante's had guitar night in the early 70s on Monday night and all the greats played there, including a young Lee Ritenhour, the greatest ROCK GUITARIST I EVER HEARD!

[@ogles824]

Good info, going to try this at my next practice. My favorite pick is actually a Fender Medium that my dog chewed up. She basically shaped it so it fits the contour of my thumb and index finger. I wish they made a pick like this.

[@jeremiahscott80]

I’ve been playing for 20+ years and consider myself a pretty good player, but always had trouble with speed. Changing how I hold the pick and using jazz picks has been so helpful in me taking the next step. Thanks Bernth

[@meadish]

Do you use jazz picks even for rhythm with rapid strumming?

[@jeremiahscott80]

@@meadish yes

[@buddhikaroxz]

I have watched your videos since you had very few subscribers. You are the player who ridiculously improved on youtube.way to go.

[@kapurants]

YOOO I was just wondering about this and then the notification for this video popped up in the middle of my practice session. Thanks Bernth! Your teaching has exploded my progress in just the two weeks I've been a part of your patreon. Love the content, keep it up?

[@tomholbrook2948]

I am a fan and in awe. Thank you for working hard producing the tutorials

[@sole__doubt]

If you want to increase the grip on your picks, take a sharp pointy object and scratch a few Xs into the pick.

[@Paprikajlo]

Some 30+ years ago I've tried the Jazz III for the first time. Haven't been using anything else since. Amazing pick.

[@michiganmadhouse1462]

Late comment here, but been an amateur guitarist for over 35 years. Pick grip is/was Yngwie-ish (thumb to side/pad index; but I used green 0.88 Tortex Jazz 3 M ) which works well, except the "reverse dart thrower" motion made tracking while ascending the strings (low E to high E) difficult: it was fine for 3 strings, but anything more and my hand didn't want to track smoothly to maintain the same pick to string relationship. Bernth's technique is fascinating. Due to a shorter range of motion (the pick is held closer to fulcrum, and you cant extend the grip to allow a little more reach). It forces me to track the strings continuously. The result is very precise picking. But there is one big issue: I'm not nearly as comfortable playing rhythm with this pick grip. My old style is amazing for rapid-fire stuff like Bark at the Moon, I'll See the Light Tonight, Etc. My natural technique allowed me to play these cleanly even as a novice. Another issue is that, because the distal knuckle of my middle finger was broken, it has a prominence which tends to hit the strings. I think the "closed hand" or "fist grip" tends to be more precise because of the limited range of motion (fewer joints to arbitrarily vary the position of the pick, aka less variability). I also noticed that Tina S. uses the same pick grip, and that girl has amazing chops. Many grips can work, but this one may have a general advantage regarding overall precision...and there is no doubt that Sir Bernth is precise.

[@patrickaustin3009]

I want to commit to an experiment. 1 hour per day of practicing bernth exercises with strict focus on the desired skill that is trying to be acquire (no focus on speed). I believe the results would be absolutely astonishing. After practicing this first exercise for 20 minutes, I feel an immense difference developing in my right hand

[@deathseal08]

You had me on the grip pick shoutout over your actual brand pick I hope one day I shred like you

[@shaihulud4515]

When it comes to holding a pick, I remember what my second guitar teacher one said: "Hold it the way it feels most natural to you - strum, play single notes, skip strings. Anything feeling weird? Wounded knuckles? The backside of your fingers in contact with other strings? No? Good - than this is the way you hold your pick!" Many years later, I found out I hold the string just like Marty Friedman does - minus the genius playing ;-)

[@kevincourville1164]

Yeah I learned from (instruction vids) MHB and Dave Mustaine the finger anchoring on the bottom string or the pickup for muscle memory

[@slideout9857]

Hahahah when that first lick played with the drums my eyes popped out of my head :D , - im to used to slow blues style licks

[@CaesarCapone]

Bernth, you are amazing! But when you show yourself placing the pick on your index finger, that is definitely not how YOU actually hold it! Glad we can see where you actually hold it afterwards!

[@kmidst_kn6329]

Bernth I can not seem to grip the pick with my index finger curled. It feels like it completely throws off my picking angle and I end up digging the pick in too far. It's also uncomfortable and my index finger feels like it naturally wants to straighten somewhat to a soft c-curve. Is there anything I can do about this?

[@rock2hot806]

I use the most rigid pics possible because anything less can cause an unwanted clicking noise and a delay and your string attack, especially string skipping attack. I use pics very similar to yours. Mine are slightly round it off at the tips so that they roll right off the strings with each attack And instead of possibly catching the string, greatly hindering fluid motion, Especially when I’m shredding my arpeggio sweeps.

[@everybodypomarancze9355]

as always great exercices Bernth! Thanks for your work

[@Indomitus_Guitar]

as always amazing exercices Thanks 🙌🤘🤘

[@SiggiSegelfahrer]

thanks for fixing my 15year long mistake- i held the pick completely wrong

[@theperfectcircus]

Thank you for all the tutorials and exercises!

[@Tony-shakespearean]

I came back here after I found a pick that lets me pay "effortless" attention to my right hand while playing. It's a handcraft pick brand called Zen Guitar Picks, and the model I use is Zen Kris. Before that I was using Jim Dunlop Stubby 3.0mm.

[@darkazurr9891]

i think i understand gonna practice with it over the next few weeks ty. still new to theory but the lick at 5:12 is that c# harmonic minor or is it g# phrygian dominant as you end on the g# or is that the same thing im learning XD

[@timmthelion]

Your vids improved my playing. Thanks

[@bryanbaker8513]

Im a little confused on the which way the pick should be pointing when you place it where you do between the 1st and 2nd knuckle. It may just be how I am looking at it, but how do you get your palm mute with it pointing that way? I am a fairly accomplished player but have always struggled with speed.

[@FabstaPizza]

same here, I can never go so fast while palm muting, because ill have to go up and down really fast and for that I always have to take my wrist away from the muting

[@joshh2317]

I feel the same… I can play fast licks not over many strings! Mainly like Metallica fast chugging or some avenged sevenfold (main song riffs) so I’m definitely an alright player at least I think… but I have struggled for speed and accuracy my whole time playing it’s been years and I still can’t do a fraction of what this guy shows us😭 not even a small fraction of it. I want to build accuracy and speed so freakin bad. The synchronized motion of picking hand and fretting hand is one of the last things really holding back my ability to fly😢

[@njineermike]

in 1988 this guy would be on the cover of every guitar magazine every month.

[@karu6111]

Lol, all these years I’ve been gripping the pick too hard. 15 plus fucking years, and I only needed lighten my fucken grip. I never imagined myself playing this smooth at higher speed lol. I mostly play on acoustic and figured tightening the grip is quieter, thus the proper technique. Ofc this works at lower speeds. God wish I’ve practiced more, who knows where my playing could’ve been.

[@neilrussell8389]

how do you do a pinch harmonic with this grip? or do you switch to a different grip when you want to do that? and this grip is purely for everything else?

[@yusufserdann]

im still questioning that. have you find the answer for it? i cant do pinch harmonics with that grip and CANT strum rhythms with this one

[@turdeaugottago114]

evh would hold it with his finger tips when shredding

[@dougw4034]

Wow that actually makes a huge difference!

[@SkuuTerrrrr]

the pick i use have like a circle indent in it to keep my thumb locked it works amazing and ive improved my playing alot

[@mysund]

I found the same pick holding postition a long time ago. I watched others have strange grips that looked sooo strained. Then i watched my own hand in the most relaxed position, and stuck the pick into that position. No long term strain of fingers...

[@ericdpeerik3928]

LOL! I was ordeing new stuff this morning, and I decided I need more grip, so I ordered those exact jazz picks. I even wondered if it wasn't stupid, because I don't play jazz, but apparently I'm not the only one who chose those.

[@Beyond-Antares]

@Bernth I'm confused in 2:59 the pick is before the first joint of the index finger, but at 1:19 it;s after the first joint and before the second joint. How is the pick actually held? Is the goal to ensure a straight line from thumb, wrist and elbow?

[@shannonmccarthy7094]

DAVA Jazz picks, i recently discovered them, i was using JP Jazz III's and felt no issue changing over, id definaitely reccomend giving them a go! (The Red Ones are Jazz Picks, 1.5mm)

[@tiagomantilla6614]

Muchas gracias por la lección. Saludos desde Perú.

[@daravikki]

Majority of Players who can shred super fast knows "Upstroke/Downstroke escape picking motion" trick.

[@ZK_SHREDR]

Jazz III and honestly the kirk hammett green ones have a great feel to them

[@IwoIwanov]

Superb advice right here. Great channel and overall content. - Thanks for this.

[@WrinkledPlatypus]

Those are the best picks, between the grip, size and point. 🤘

[@Bobi-ow6ou]

I have always hold the pick the wrong way and has slowed my guitar playing and progress for many years

[@bouzoukiman5000]

THAT is the best way to hold a pick and should be the first thing a player learns.

[@johnrolling6569]

Keep up the great work thanks for your structure and practice!!!💯

[@BrenBertozzi]

I've been picking wrong so wrong actually that this changed everything. Like omg im so grateful and embarrassed.

[@inflexion7798]

but this way of holding the pick restricts the finger movements you can do. Yngwie would place it on the last phalanx on the index and could achieve tremendous speeds, maybe both ways work?

[@udododo1]

my guitar teacher always changed the way his hand was positioned based on the technique he was using. Look ar marty friedman too his had isnt like this at all I feel like this is gunna be a who you talk to thing with the " correct " way to hold your pick

[@SI-vb7hd]

Multiple ways can work. I have watched so many videos from incredible guitarists and seen some very different pick styles. I think relaxation of the picking arm and keeping motions small is the most important thing.

[@qerzuk]

yeah, but he only played that fast despite and not because of his techniqe. The real question is: What could he play with the physically best technique?

[@stratcat3216]

I use a Big Stubby.. 3.0mm pick. it's incredible.

[@robohippy]

The biggest problem I have with picks is that they want to rotate in my hand/fingers as I play. Start on the point and end up on the side... I have tried a number of 'surface enhancements' to give me some extra friction so it doesn't pivot, but they don't seem to work. That was, until I got some jade picks from a friend. No clue as to why they don't pivot. Also, that exercise #3 made me think of old school surf music....

[@betadine3822]

Thankyou sir. For all tutorial you do. In just 1 week i already master this. (I'm just beginner no bash hehe)

[@lekille3547]

holy fucking shit i was struggling to play chemical warfare by slayer until you showed me how you hold your pick, literally instantly could play it after, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mamaypusa797]

You help me mr bernth in my practicing😀.. greetings from Phillipines

[@michaelburkley1225]

Holding the pick the wrong way and letting my fingers hang are two bad mistakes I've made. Now I will try the angles for up stroke and down stroke trying to improving my speed and also hold the pick better.

[@hobi_mcnd]

yooo I needed this thanks bro

[@satchrules101]

With 3 NPS scale.. the down stroke escape.. on the 6 th note of the next string , you need to switch to up stroke slant , or will get the pick stuck I think 🤔.

[@PatDurkinMusic]

This is great. I spent the last 8 months or so really honing in on economy picking so doing alternate picking seems alien to me right now lol

[@seniorzolo3433]

A guitarist from 1349 said years ago that he at some point chose jazz picks because they are more compact and allow for faster picking. I can say this is absolutely the case. I can't even play with the "larger" picks anymore.

[@knightstalker87]

*Thank you for always encouraging me and all of us!* *From Malaysia always support and ❤️🔥*

[@RodVonLongrod]

I've been holding the pick the wrong way for a very long time. I'm currently in the process of trying to fix that. It's a struggle but I will adjust to it.

[@gibson2546]

Oh ! yeah Great teaching Thanks 👍👍👍

[@Millweed]

I never managed to use fist grip without scraching the hell out of my middle finger and I'm almost certain it's impossible to palm mute.

[@chillpengeru]

Same dude, how the hell do you get a nice chunky palm mute like this?

[@meadish]

I find 1.2mm and thicker work best for lead, but when it comes to strumming fast, like in funk rhythm guitar or, for example, Pinball Wizard, a thicker pick doesn't work as well for me. So Ive ended up using a 1mm pick as the current 'best compromise'. Interested to hear different perspectives from people who don't focus exclusively on single note lines, but also play funk(y) stuff with lots of rapid strumming across more than 2 strings. Would I be able to adjust my technique to stick with a stiffer pick even when playing funk rhythm?

[@DarthRaider520]

I use Jazz II"s and I trim the sides to give it more of a point. Nearly doubled my speed.

[@manlocked]

I really enjoyed holding the pick like this. approx 25 years playing. just advanced 2 levels

[@crsmade]

I’m for sure working on this one

[@onecutkev]

My pick keeps turning around in my hand so the tip is in the wrong position

[@zackjoseph9127]

Im a huge fan of the jazz III John Pertucci picks

[@martijn_yt]

Jeff Beck: `There is no right way to hold a pick`