Slippery Pick

A fairly common problem students come across is their pick slipping around in their fingers while they play. There are a few things you can try to alleviate this issue:

Don’t use glossy picks. I know they look nice and shiny but they are the worst when it comes to staying in place. Instead, use a pick that has some texture or grip on it.

Use a pick that has holes through it. There are several brands that offer this.

Literally glue the pick to your index and thumb so it is permanently attached at all times. Superglue is perfect for this. However, doing anything other than playing guitar is quite annoying when your fingers are glued together, so this method is avoided by most people.

Try a variety of different picks to find the one that works best for you. Some brands offer picks that are more ergonimic than the typical flat pick, and some people prefer those.

Stop sweating so much. Eww.

Pay attention to how you grip your pick. It may be that you need to adjust your grip in order for it to stay in place.

Put glue on your pick. Some people say that putting super glue on the pick and letting it dry helps you keep a good grip without literally glueing it to your finger.  

Not all of these will work for everyone — but one of them will work for you. Experiment until you find your solution. Except the superglue one. Probably.

Not sure why your playing isn’t improving? My free guide breaks down the 5 most common mistakes I see after 24 years of teaching. Grab it here

Unsubscribe   |   Change Subscriber Options

Scroll to Top