Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

To other guitar players here: ever drop your pick in the middle of a song? If you say 'no', you're lying! You probably have one of those rubber grips that goes on a mic stand and holds a few picks, but you still need to pause for a second to grab another one, then after go searching on the floor for the dropped pick, too!
I thought this was a good idea - I have no financial investment in it except for the $5 I 'kicked' in!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/786 ... -pick-grip

That was pretty funny.
If we all can't play like Slacker...
First that "MASTER" guitarist is holding a pick in a way that is not even an established method.
Second the larger the pick, the easier it is to have it knocked out of your fingers.
40 years ago I had a teacher that addressed that problem with the solution of finding the smallest pick I was comfortable with.
Yeah... I used to drop picks. I won't allow you the chance to call me a liar. I usually ended up using a fingernail to finish.
Funny thing is the smaller picks never fall to the floor, maybe because there is not so much to hang on too.
Yeah I am that old you dumb asss.

Geez Glenny - attitude much?
I've heard the opposite from some people - they like those big sucker triangle picks. Not sure how having a smaller pick works better. I use standard size picks.
Hey, if you don't like this pick grip idea, just ignore it, don't be an ass about it.

One solution some people use is to punch a hole through the pick (near the logo area) - then you basically have thumbskin against forefinger skin holding onto it. I usually don't have much of a problem except when my skin is very dry (like in the winter). Never tried punching a hole in a fender heavy, don't think a paper punch would do it!

I used to take my pocket knife and rough up the sides of my picks.

I ussually have one stuck under the pick guard in case I drop one, then of course I have them on my amp, and a couple on the mic stand, so playing live I always have one close.

I'm one of the "some people" that use a paper punch to put a hole in the pick. I also use J Dunlop nylon picks that have a rough thumb area that keeps them from shifting position. So with the rough edge along with the hole I seldom drop a pick.

I also use a pick in the same manner that Glen uses one. Very little of it extends out from between my fingers.

Since I use a soft nylon pick, I slip one under the edge of my pick guard where it can be had without skipping a beat. I don't tighten the upper most screw by the neck all the way in if I have a tight pick guard.

I just start finger picking and don't worry about it. That's why I learned to finger pick. At that time the mic stand pick holders didn't exist, running back to the amp sucked, they'd fall out of the pick guard half the time so I started learning to finger pick so it wouldn't matter any more.

I use Dunlop Tortex picks, same green ones JW uses, and the yellow ones too, and Ultex picks. I don't seem to drop either as often as any other kind. I hate the Fender picks, they last about 15 minutes and break. Tortex orange and red (thinner) for acoustic. Tried the ones with factory holes in them, also Dunlop Tortex, didn't like the feel too much and never bought any more.

I can't remember the last time I dropped a pick during a song. I drop them between songs fooling around. Go figure!

I've battled this for years - I hit the strings too hard. Why? First off because I used to use the triangle "tortilla chip" picks. I could hold on to them for sure. In retrospect I'm surprised I was able to play as fast as I used to have to do.

Now I use heavy picks but pick very lightly which of course can lead to dropping the pick. I usually lick my index finger between songs which seems to help but certainly doesn't enhance my image.

Drilling a hole in it sounds good but I imagine it would take a drill.

Chris Broderick, the classical / metal guitarist who plays with Megadeth has invented some gadget that addresses the problem. I'll look into that and post any info I find.

Talbot

Ok I almost never drop a pick while playing. I haven' dropped one in at least 5 years and then it was outdoors in the cold moist air. That night the pick was black and dropped onto a flat black stage... I never found it.

I use only bright orange picks now so I can find them "IF" they ever go down but they just don't. No explanation.

OK, OK... I have even tried using a longer index finger nail to avoid the whole pick dropping thing all together. I use a heavy pick, Fender, any thing that doesn't sound scratchy. After a couple hours of heavy playing they usually start to lose that tiny point that I like. As for finger nails they wear even faster than heavy picks... The angle is wrong, and if your nail breaks it's worse than dropping a pick.

The only solution I can offer to an un-coordinated guitarist...

CRAZY GLUE.

Probably has more to do with how you hold it and how you strike/pick/strum if it's a constant thing happening.
I don't play in a live setting and it's rare for me to drop a pick. Not much use or need. I think everyone learns to keep a few very close with easy access.
So good luck to the gents trying to make a buck on their idea I'm sure some will find it useful.

I use "Sort-Quik" on my fingertips.
.
It's a waxy substance you sometimes see in little tiny red dishes in offices.
You put some on your fingertips when you go through a lot of paperwork; it lets you grab paper without it slipping between your fingertips.
This stuff works GREAT.
I have NEVER lost a pick since using this stuff.
You can buy it in any office supply store.
Once you try it just ONE time, you'll wonder why you haven't been using it for the last 20-30 years . . .
And, nope, I don't sell it and I don't have stock in the company; it just solves the pick-problem completely.

By the way, if you feel that your pick is getting ripped out of your hands, then you should consider if you could simply stroke the strings lighter and turn the volume up. I say "if," because it may depend upon your style of music . . .
.
When I first started playing guitar (about 40 years ago) started with a heavy pick. After losing it a lot, I graduated to a medium. I couldn't stand using a thin pick.
After I while I found that I could get a finer touch in how I play by using a thin pick.
Heavier picks seemed more suitable when you really have to bang the strings.
Again; it depends upon the style of music you play.
.
Regardless; try the "Sort-Quick."

Paleopete wrote:http://www.gorillasnotusa.com/

Do you use this SNOT, Billy?