Pick Technique: Why Do the World's Best Guitarists Play on the Round Corner?
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- čas přidán 21. 04. 2024
- It blew my mind how many of my favorite guitarists did this - how many of you do the same thing?
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I always used the rounded corner, didn't pick it up from anyone, just felt more comfortable that way. Was surprised when I found out so many other did it too, thought I was always just "wrong".
I knew Stevie did it, but I had no idea so many guitarists played with the rounded corner! I started using the rounded corner years ago because it gave me more control and stopped my pick from twisting on me. Thanks for posting!
Same for me. Nobody ever told me to do it and I thought I was weird. I like how it sounds a little more finger picking. I also feel like I have more control over the pick.
Me too, had no idea it was an issue. Just a preference suited for my comfort. Cool to find out it's a thing!
Same here, didn't know anyone who did it that way. It was just more natural to me that way. It also seems to pull better tone out of my acoustic guitars.
Same here I thought I was the only one lol.
Goes to show you, no matter how many years you’ve played, you still learn new things along the way. Much thanks. I’ll be giving this a try.
Someone-I wish I could remember who-suggested years ago that I try a mandolin-style pick, which has three rounded corners. I loved the sound immediately, and I got lots of positive comments on my tone, so I’ve never looked back.
Never heard about this before - very interesting!!! Thanks!
I had been playing for a year or so, I was probably 9 or 10, in the mid 1960's, when I told my guitar teacher that I didn't like the slapping sound my pick made on the strings. He told me to spin the pick around and play with the corner. I played that way from that moment on, probably the last 58 years.
Yeah, exactly the same reason I started. I didn't like that tinny slapping sound when I held the pick "regular like". I just naturally migrated to using the round edge.
I appreciate this, thanks. Incredible channel. Tried it, and I can't go back to the pointy end now!
Even if I try to use the point, I always find myself unconsciously using the round part without trying. Best comfort, best tone, best control, and no rotation. Yeah, thanks for the confirmation. I just thought I was weird, but now I'll just let my freak flag fly.
Dude same! Even if I started out using the point, somehow it would shift in my hand and then I'd realize I'm using the side instead!
Rounded corner for me. I've been playing for over 35 years and it just feels better to me. I've tried to use the pointed end but I always go back to the rounded corner. Thanks for posting this topic!
I've always liked using the rounded corner. More Comfort, More Control. Makes for great Pinch Harmonics as well.Just sounds great. Fender medium.Nice Attack.
Wow, Great Stuff🎉
I started with the rounded corner some six ago, after 15 years of playing with the tip of the pick and suffering from its ergonomics. I learned about the round corner on a Guthrie Trapp and Uncle Larry video and it blew my mind. Never went back to the tip. Better tone and easier ergonomics for me.
i got the idea for trying this from watching the video of Jimi Hendrix live at woodstock, he was switching between using the point of the pick and the rounded corner, you could see at times the point of the pick sticking out away from the strings as he was using the corner.
My guitar teacher in nyc (Joe Giglio) turned me on to this in the early 00’s and I’ve never looked back.
Been playing for decades and I've never heard this! In fact, over the years I've searched out more and more pointier picks and now play a Petrucci jazz 3 style pick. I can see how it might be effective for blues soloing where you actually want to play harder with more wrist action. Neat, thanks for sharing!
I only felt comfortable using the round corner, tried to make myself use the point and just couldn’t get on with the point, I’ve always tried to see how some of the players mentioned hold there pick because I felt like I was not going be able to reach certain levels using the round edge hoping I would hear or see somebody using the round edge, and crazy as it is, some of the players you mentioned I enjoy had that sound I gravitate too, appreciate you bringing this into your video, sure was a relief and encouraging to know Others do the same. You are remarkable player and instructor, today is the first day in several years your channel come up on you tube, man many are missing out of a wealth of knowledge and information
In the 70's, i was struggling to play single lines at regulation Bluegrass tempos. Bluegrass guitarist Dan Crary suggested that I play on the round corner of the flatpick; and that I support the pick with both the index and second finger holding the pick, with all fingers curved. The rounded corner would increase accuracy; and two fingers supporting the pick would decrease the amount of momentum I would need to overcome when changing direction of the pick. I never achieved lightening single line speeds. But it definitely helped, and I have maintained his suggested technique to this day.
Chris Thile says the reason of this is to balance the strength of your thumb required two fingers against the pick.
Great subject.
I tried it when I heard that Pat Metheny uses the round. Been doing it ever since. Works nice for me.
Same for me.
I got my first guitar about 1965 and have always used the point of the pick. That was up until a couple months ago I was watching an interview with Ricky Skaggs and he mentioned he played with the round corner so I gave it a try. My first thought was why didn’t I try this years ago. Now that’s the only way I hold my pick.
Started realizing this and doing it very recently...nice to have some validation
I've only been playing for a couple of years but I picked this up by chance when I saw Uncle Larry using the wide end of the pick. I was having trouble trying playing shuffles like La Grange and thought I'd give it a try. Another thing I discovered by chance was when I bought a novelty pick (Jason's mask with holes for the eyes) and the pick didn't slip as much in my sweaty fingers. So now I drill holes and use the wide end much more, depending on the song.
Interesting,will try,thanks.
I learned it from Bireli Lagrene and many gypsy jazz players (1.5-2mm). Volume, tone, speed, and sure grip instantly increase every time I suggest a student move from the tip to the shoulder of the pick.
The "point" is for specific shreddy type things, the corner is for other riff styles. Reasoning: depending on the riff, you dont want the pick grabbing the string and getting stuck.
I have used it and didnt know the pros are doing it.
Experimented by accident
Been playing since the 80's . Always found it to be easier to hold on to it ( rounded corner ) . Great vid !
Thanks! 👍
I use the rounded corner too, but I cut, file, sand a point onto that corner. I've been making my own picks since 1977.
I've been dabbling with it off and on for a few months using my 1.0mm Dunlop Big stubby, with mixed results. Loved the feel, weak on tone. After watching this, I got the idea to try several different pics to see the differences. Fender med., Green tortex, 2mm Big stubby, then... 1.mm Jim Dunlop USA Nylon. You know, with the grippy bumps. THAT is interesting. The grippy bumps really grab the string. Instant love. The love might wear off, as well as the grippy bumps, but a neat tool to add to the bag if it does. The bumps grab the string and have a unique sound. THANKS!
I use the rounded part too, which is exactly why I’m awesome 😎👍
Been using the round corners for years and like that you can strike the strings diagonally for a more glancing attack as well as using my index nail along with the pick for another sound entirely. I have also been cutting my own circular picks with a hole in the center for grip. I have these in multiple kinds of plastic/composite and also round copper coin picks with the center drilled out. Great insight into why Brian May uses coins. So many options!
I have used that technique with the fingernail and pick together, gives a vaguely 12 string kind of ring on a 6. But I am a 12 string player first and foremost. Using the rounded corner prevents overdriving the octaves better.
I was a classical player in college who picked up (no pun intended) electric guitar about 10 years ago. I've messed around with playing on the rounded corner (I need to get back to playing that way!!).....and noticed that it sets up a better placement and distance from the other strings for the OTHER fingers. So I can easily see how someone like Tom Bukovac would like the rounded corner because of how much hybrid picking he does.
I've only read the title so far but I noticed it because I've always used a rounded corner of the pick. I find that it gives a warmer, smoother sound, and I need all the help I can get. THIS VIDEO is the first time I've run across the idea - ever. I ask people I know and they look at me like I've got three heads. Never seen it in a video before. NOW I'll watch the video.
Extremely interesting, going to investigate this for myself. I can offer in my teaching experience that much of your pick sound also depends on the angle of your pick and the pressure with which you hold it - just by holding more loosely you can achieve a less bright tone for example.
Yes, been using that technique for a little while, better tone and glides off the strings as you demonstrated so well.
I somehow started using the rounded edge about two years ago. At first I would go back to using the tip, but realized my tone was much sweeter, warmer, and rounder when using the other side of pick.
I play this way most of the time. I play Fender (or other brand) thin picks because I find it easier to go back and forth between picking and strumming with a thin and I like the strumming resonance you get with a thin pick. Also, if I'm being honest, I pick too hard and it gets more of the meat of the pick in between my thumb and finger and makes it less likely that I send the pick flying into the soundhole, or outward. That's my perspective as one of THE guitarists of all time. 😉
good video. you're a great player.
I just started filing down my Tortex pick tips because I would always have a worn down pick that would become my favorite. Cool to see so many greats are doing that. I don't trip over my strings as much with a rounded pick.
I always use the rounded edge. Fender medium, probably because I heard SRV did it. Works for me!
Exactly the same here, I went to the round edge recently after re-starting playing in 2018 and can not even imagine to go back 😅
Yep. Saw an interview w Rory in Guitar Player around 1974 and he said he used Herco picks and I have used the gold ones almost exclusively since always playing on serated round edge. He did not mention this in the article but it always seemed more natural to me.
I learned this on my own, just felt better. But I hold it with my thumb & 2 fingers pointer & middle finger. Your thumbnail made me click. Nice playing!
I’ve always used the round edge, wondered how many others did as well. Cool
FYI Trey Anastasio of Phish famously uses the rounded corner of an Adamas graphite 2mm.
I experimented with that before. I din't know that others have, too.
A couple of years ago I was in invited to a “jam” and talking with another guitarist, we both realized that we both played with the rounded corner!
✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶
I was taught in Bluegrass workshops from Dan Crary and others to use the fat corner of the pick and to angle the pick 30 degrees from parallel to the strings so the pick glances across the string, sticking less against each string. It allows me to dig in harder with my light grip on my medium pick and not have ti flip out of my fingers.
Ditto, went to a workshop by Dan at Port Fairy Folk Festival Australia about 20 yrs ago. I use a jazz lll. Trying the Dunlop 204 at the moment
When I started I gravitated immediately to the round corner; felt more natural, better control, better attack, more versatile also. No one told me it was wrong bc there was no internet LOL. Nowadays I generally fingerpick but when I use a pick it’s still usually a JD on the corner.
Ive always played that way too, just felt that i had more control over my attack.
I used to use the rounded corner. Now I take a metal file and file off quite a bit of the tip. It’s a nice compromise. I also often drill some holes in the pick to provide additional grip.
Me too,
I drill some small holes in a jazz pick and that thing will actually carve into your finger lol
I've been playing with the shoulder of the pick since the 70s. With the point rotated and against your finger, it give you more leverage and, as mentioned below, more control. Another way to get this is with a triangle pick. I always use a triangle pick for acoustic guitars because you have more control and more power for single-string picking.
been playin since 1968 and was using pointy end for years. experimenting and learning and finding what works best. don’t remember when I switched but I’ve been using rounded corner for a long time now D’Andrea heavy, the pointy end really slows one down. Never had trouble with tone. Used the long side for scrapes. Cool video that just happened to show up in my feed today. thank you for posting
Wait what? Thanks man. I'll check it out
I've recently been doing this, after 20+ years of playing with the tip of the pick, to emulate SRV a bit more. It was actually shocking to me how such a small thing could change the feel, especially of rhythm playing, as you mentioned. The pick really does glide off the strings but you are still able to dig in for lead sections. It definitely takes a mental adjustment to the warmer sound. I had no idea Rory did this!
I been doing this with years, I use a 1.2 mill pick and depending on the attack I want I rotate the pick, but tend to favour the rounded edge in general, its not quite as precise, but I learned that can be a good thing if you adjust your playing to suit. its almost like turning on a compressor when I roll it back to the pointy edge , its a subtle contrast and most folks wont know, but Its a habit now, so i hardly notice Im doing it. I discovered this because i was using lighter picks years ago and I noticed turning it to the thicker side made it easier to speed pick. Every little helps right !
I've been doing this for years. Very reassuring. Thanks for posting this.
Another thing to do is to punch a hole in the pick which helps hold it in the orientation you want. Side, point and round bit all sound different 😊
Totally agree.
I went to the Dunlop BIG Stubby 3.0mm YEARS ago for this same reason - softened attack because of the fat rounded edges. They still have that HARD Bite when you want to punish the strings, great grip and feel AND They LAST FOREVER. They just sound and feel better the more you use them. I get AMAZING pinch harmonics with these and my grip places the tip right out of the side of my thumb like a Thump Pick would sit, but I can also slip in the index to mute/soften the attach on the strings and get those pinch harmonics too. I hybrid Pick mostly with this grip and can kind of do it all with these picks. I used to use a Jazz III (thanks EJ), I loved the grippy-ness of them but felt like they were too small to hold on to and the point was either too much or not enough at times. JD Big Stubby FTW.
Funny, yesterday I was trying to play the tremelo picked opening chord on "Dirty Pool" and couldn't do it with the normal point of my pick sticking out. Not sure why I tried the other rounded edge, but I did and it worked like magic. So funny to see this video after loving SRV for 30 years and your video popping up and not even thinking about this stuff, lol.
After 40 years of playing, I changed to the rounded corner and like it better for all the reasons you mentioned. I made the change after hearing Guthrie Trapp explain why he picks with the rounded corner. I'm currently experimenting with the Flow 1.0.
Me too. I've been holding the pick and playing that way since the 1980's!
Gosh. For my forty years of playing I've (nearly) always used the blunt corner. But I've always tried to hide it because I thought it was a silly mistake and bad habit! If Rory did it I guess it's okay to continue! Thanks for this very cheerful and entertaining vid.
Back in the 60's when I was learning it was folk songs, 1,4, 5, and the relative minor combinations. Then I heard Doc Watson and he blew me away. Spent hours learning his runs but the sound was never the same.. Same notes but a sorta tick slap undertone after each note. Using a fender medium. Then one day I broke the tip off my last pick so I turned it to the round side to finish the exercise and there it was. The smooth almost muted sound with no after tone. Strumming sounded better too! 60 years later and still using the method. Don't know if it's what Doc did but it works for me.
I started my music journey on mandolin and as someone previously mentioned it is common for mandolin players to use rounded corner beveled edge picks. They take away some brightness and the picks are very smooth to play gliding off strings with the bevel. Now I'm learning guitar, I use the same picks for some things, but I really like the small jazz picks that have the very pointed tip on teardrop shape. I do use the jazz picks with my mando.
Started doing that a few month back, because the pic always got stuck in strings with the pointy end, for more than 30 years, even learned finger style to work around. No more so, and it gives the thumb and index finger a more bouncy feedback, which is almost like an in-built metronome. Never geek out over stuff like that but this one got me.
When I start on the point, it always turns to the round . So I just accepted it years ago . Always thought it wasn't correct ! Good info thanks.
The "shoulder", it mimicks the side of the thumb, and rolls off the string nicely ask any jazz cat
Great vid, inspired me to try the round corner again. Pretty sure Trey from Phish and Jerry Garcia used it as well
I like using the shoulder, too. However, i also like the results of rubbing it on carpet to shape, smooth, bevel the edge. I find that even the shoulder can feel a bit smoother if you sand the edge. Plastic can have sharp edges that needs smoothed. I often am able to play on the same pick for a long time if you keep reshaping it when gets too round.
5:43 sometimes I will put the pick at an angle with the strings using the round edge while strumming. Gives it a really soft attack and slightly scratchy. It’s a nice effect sometimes.
you can also see Hendrix using the rounded corner during his Woodstock performance of Red House (IIRC)
been playing the round side since I was a kid just starting out, and that was like 30 years ago. 2 reasons why, 1. I get more surface contact with the way I curl my 1st finger and it doesn't spin as much 2. being a little metalhead, it was easier alternate pick for faster licks and had less chance for the pick to get hung up when string hopping.
I switched to the round corner years ago when learning pinch harmonics it made it super easy and it's also more comfortable to play.
On electric, I always use the rounded corner for exactly the reasons you identified: closer to the strings, smoother travel through the strings, and a smoother attack. Currently using a 1.5mm Dunlop flow, but as a fan of the Edge, I always choose something with texture to get some chime.
I use the rounded corner. I learned it from Keith Urban about 20 years ago. He has done it forever
Interesting video, I am going to experiment with this the next time I play. Huge SRV fan here, and I had no idea he played that way. Well done 😎
I would often use the rounded corner for making it easier to do a pinch harmonics. I am going to try this for regular playing.
I was mainly an acoustic finger picking player. When I started playing more electric guitar, I used the rounded side of the picks because it was the shape of my nails, thus no change in tone while hybrid picking.
Like you, I started playing on the rounded corner of the pick after using the tip for a couple decades of playing. I always use the rounded corner on a large sized pick. But these days I prefer the small, 3mm Dunlop stubby picks. On those I use the tip for lead and corner for rhythm. I've also learned to soften my grip a lot for more dynamics and tone control.
I started doing this in the late 90's, because it sounds better, also i can get pinched harmonics easier. I learned all that from Rory Gallagher.
Choice of pick is important.
It’s easier for me to hold the pick that way, I like the rounded corner. Thought it was only me. Lol. Thanks!
Definitely trying that
I’m just a beginner/ intermediate player, I tried the point, it was just ok, then tried the rounded corner and it was just ok.... so then I took my picks over to my sander and reshaped the point down to something that is between the shape of the point and the shape of the corner... and now it seems perfect to me...
It was interesting to find out so many great players used the round edge of the pick
i started using a black dunlop 1mm so i could get a rough sound with the finger grip
on the rounded edge as i dont like the smooth edge of tips and i could get a great sound
with the side i heard once that duane allman used the rounded edge of his picks too.
The rounded corner of the pick allows you to float over the guitar strings as you play chords, your down stroke and up stroke slow or fast is much more controllable.
I was almost about to give up on my "normal" picks but I guess I should give the rounded corner a chance. I have a D'addario variety pack that included smaller and slightly thicker picks that I prefer, including a little blue one that's a Jazz III copy, and the Stealth and Stealth XL from Acoustik Attak.
Always played with the round corner and I also rough them up on some sandpaper for a softer attack
Never really thought about it, just used them however feels comfortable. Thinking about it, I guess I use the tip only for chord strumming with the acoustic guitar. On the electric I always go for the shoulder. As you said, you get your fingers closer to the strings and that allows me to control pinching and dampening real easy.
I've been using the round edge of my picks for years. I still use the pointy side of a thin pick when I strum an acoustic guitar.
I think I’ve always played like that. Just the most comfortable way to hold it
Great video! I thought I was just a strange guitar player for playing the round of the pick. I discovered probably 10 years ago that the rounded "corner" produces a better sound for me. I play acoustic/acoustic electric. It's great to know I'm not alone with some fabulous guitar players doing it the same way!
I think its smoother and less snaggy in the strings...
My OCD makes me start point out. But in the zone the pick turns around any which way.
AND OMFG! YOU HAVE GENUINE SRV PICKS!?
i kneel to your sacred artifacts😔
Dunlop's Primetone series of picks includes "semi round" models that are good for checking out the rounded corner tone. The shape is a triangle, a bit broader than a standard pick, but in place of the pointy end there is a very broadly rounded corner. The other two corners are rounded with a more standard rounded corner curve. The one I have is 1.5 mm (I prefer thick picks) and has beveled edges on all corners (they intend the player to use all corners). They sell standard smooth-surface models, and "grip" models with tiny slightly raised dots around the center to help with gripping the pick. It hasn't replaced my other picks (John Pearse buffalo horn for acoustic, Dunlop 1.1 mm max-grip nylon for electric), but I like using it now and then, for example, when I try (and fail!) to play a Pat Metheny piece. -Tom
I have been using for about 30 years Dunlop. The red .46mm with the grip on one side. I found right away that the grip would catch on the strings. My picks have ever since the first one has been altered. I use fine sandpaper and I sand the grip off. I don't have any problem holding the pick. It makes for faster playing and smoother transition from point to round corner. I have a selection of picks. From stone to metal to all sorts of thick to thin plastic & nylon. By far my favorite is the red Dunlop .46mm.
I’ve been using a pick this way for a long time because I don’t drop it as often. It sounds better to me too. I had no idea other players did this.
Have always gravitated to using the rounded corner subconsciously. Any time I use the point it sounds harsh. I think the attack is more pleasing and sounds sweeter overall using the rounded corner.
It started because it was the only way I could hold on to it, and it would literally spin in my hand to the round edge anyway.
Then I realized it sounded much better.
I also had a lot more control over the sound.
It's easier to hang onto, and if you use nylon picks with the scratchy stuff on them, like the the green Mel Bay picks, you get ZZ Top sound on demand.
I've used the round edge for 50 years.
Said it all. I thought i was only one..
I do use the rounded corner of the pick. It provides a warmer fatter tone and a bit of a "swish" high end on acoustic guitars. It's harder to play fast, but that's not necessarily a problem. I think the reason is the asymmetric shape of the pack shoulder matches, smooths out and balances the down and upstrokes of the pick.
The attack from the rounded edge from a Dunlop .48 or .60 sounds amazing
I've always used the rounded corner of the plectrum and in the late 1980's (I'm 58) saw an interview with Robben Ford, who described how he uses this part of the plectrum and was surprised to see that he also uses heavy plectrums as well. I studied classical guitar at Sydney Conservatorium and have always found it easy to get a 'bright' sound (all to do with my right-hand shape/angle to the strings), but a smoother sound (on electric guitars) I found more demanding, but using that part of the plectrum gives you a rounder sound and to 'brighten' it just move closer to the bridge. It is not so surprising how many players use this part of the plectrum but rather how many do not. It is also much easier to use the middle and ring fingers as well as the plectrum when using this part. Jmho.
You love the word plectrum 😃
@@Randy-jz9ox I use the word 'plectrum' as to say 'it' or is somewhat ambiguous and to say ' an item held in a guitarist's right hand used to attack the strings to elicit a sound' is rather... verbose - not unlike myself, I'll admit.
I'm Australian where we use the word plectrum rather than 'pick' as that word 'pick' also describes an item used to 'attack the earth in order to reach deeper into the soil'. 'Plectrum' describes only one item.
Do you get it now or were you just being funny and have I overstepped and misread your reply as somewhat 'hostile' in intent? Anyway, have a great day with your witty one worders.
@Skinny_Karlos it's all good lol. You don't hear it much here in the states.
@@Randy-jz9ox Sorry for 'reacting' so to speak. I thought, really did think, that you were having 'a go' at me.
Have a good one bloke.
@Skinny_Karlos no worries you have a good one as well
I’ve always used the Dunlop Sharkfin .5. Very versatile to use so many different shapes with one pick.