Question on fast picking

[Doug]

I am used to holding the pick parallel to the string. I have found I can pick cleanly twice as fast with the pick at a 45 degree angle or more to the string but cant get the volume that I used to have. If I play without the amp I can barely hear what I am picking but It sounds clean. Is this right? Should I use a jass pick? I am not interested in total shredding because I am trying to play with the church band but I am a Vai head, always have been , and would like to play fast picked runs cleanly. I have played for 10+ years and Quit for the last 5. I just picked up a guitar a few weeks ago and the fingers are quickly remembering where to go but since it is somewhat new I thought maybe I should relearn how to pick. The only reason I ask is because I heard Michael Angelo last night and I know he holds the pick at an extreme angle, so does Paul Gilbert in the video I have of him. Any suggestions?

[ibanezlover]

Hey Doug, i use a slight angel in my playing like Paul Gilbert does. What size pick are you using? I found that using a stiffer pick helps with the volume loss that you get from using an extreme picking angel. I use Dunlop stubbies 1.0mm.

[Ancestor]

IMO, you should do whatever works best for you. Who cares how loud it is with the amp off, you know? It's way more important what it sounds like with the amp on.

I can always play better with a pick that has a fresh bevel. A couple of my friends really swear by Stubbies, but I use the Delrin 2.0 picks. BTW, if you lean the pick further into the string and use more of the pick, it'll get louder.

[Doug]

I used to use dunlop jazz 3 picks. Since I started palying guitar again I have been using dunlop .60 mm picks. Kinda thin but I am strumming rythms now too. I used to have a Frank Gambale video in the early 90's, and just a couple of days ago decided to try the economy picking. I can tell already it is going to be faster. I am going to keep my alternate picking chops up for whenever they are needed but after trying econo picking I almost dont see the point. Its much easier. I dont care really how I hit the notes as long as they are fast and clean. Economy picking is cool.

[Doug]

By the way, I used to have a Michael Angelo video in the early 90's too. Thats why I used jazz 3's. Now I just have Paul Gilberts Terrifying Guitar Trip and Chicago Blues by Arlen Roth.

[thehouseofshawn]

I was once approached at Guitar Source by a stranger who seemed to be fascinated with my right hand. He points at it and says..."have you always picked like that?" "Where'd you learn to pick like that?"

At first I had no idea what he was talking about...but the more he talked, the more I gathered of what he was talking about - pick angle. I believe in life there aren't complete rules that EVERYONE must follow and if they don't they become a failure. That's not how it works...I always worked with what I thought would give me a good tone out of my right hand, and the speed would not diminish...to me, naturally I find it easier to pick at a 45 degree angle...and I think since I've been doing that, it feels so weird for me to hold it parallel to the string. I say, go with what you want. I know a lot of jazz guitarists use the 45 degree angle thing because it seems to thicken up the sound waves coming off the string...since it's a domed edge and literally 'brushing' off of the string. I say experiment...and if you want to get faster at anything, the only way to do it is to practice. Period. Anyone can vouch for that. So try it...and let me know how you're doing! Since the pick is 'brushing' off of the pick...I would use logic to say that's why you don't get that attack with playing any louder...try a thicker pick...that might help...I've never considered pick volume to be a problem with myself though...so I don't know as far as that goes.

[anecdota]

I like picking parallel or past parallel to the strings. Since I've started to play guitar again since last fall I've changed my picking so much, even just yesterday I changed it because I was holding the pick too far in my hand and not at the tips of my thumb and index where I have more control (and personally i think it looks good ). I say the best thing to do is find something that is either comfortable and feels like you have good control and ability to play efficiently, or picking something that is totally uncomfortable and you know is a good way of picking. Feeling uncomfortable doing something different doesn't mean it's bad for anyone. You get use to the different positions. I've been sticking to parallel for a while and learning how to pick that way from fast to slow.

[The_Grindfiend]

I hold the pick at not quite a 45 degree angle. Just coming off the side a little bit. It is easier for me to play faster runs this way.

[Wis Redz of Silvanost]

there's no real technic for this kinda thing. all you need to pay attention to is that your pick doesn't get too far under the string. then with practice you can pick really fast.

[zEr0]

I think it's not only a matter of personal preference but of the tone you wish to achieve.

I currently have two ways of holding the pick because I think each one of them gives me a different kind of alternate picking sound. If I hold it at an angle i get a more mellow sound which almost seems as if I was playing through my neck pick-up (which I never do), but if I keep it perfectly parallel I get a very aggresive and better defined tone which is better for other situations. I don't really feel I could go faster with neither of them.

Just let your ears decide.