Slippery Slipping Guitar Picks

Question:
I have moderate to severe problems keeping my pick in a proper position while playing. I can minimize the problem by using Dunlop picks (they have a textured grip), but I prefer playing with small picks as I get better pick control. My favorites are the small white Fender picks, but sometimes I find that halfway through a song, the pick has rotated nearly 180 degrees and I'm trying to play lead with the side of the pick! The obvious answer - hold the pick tighter - doesn't work well for me because it binds up my entire hand and I lose speed. Plus, it leads to cramps. Any tips?

Brent

Answer:
Super glue sand paper to the pick on the two sides of the half of the pick you hold leaving the bare plastic tip you pick with exposed.   Then you'll have the textured grip you need.

Bob, Gman ( o )==#


Love your page, I love your tips and think they're great. I read one there about the pick slipping. I wanted to draw your attention to 'Herco' picks. They are great! They're like a thumb pick only with a real pick. Have to see for yourself. You can strum, pick and the pick stays in place for as long as you need it.

Thanks, Alex


I was just reading the "Slippery Picks" section of your site and I have a tip. Instead of sand paper, I use skateboard grip tape. It works just as good and you don't have to mess around with any super glue. Just stick it on. You can usually find it at skate/surf shops. Great site!

Donated by Stefan


There's something you can get in the drummer's department:
Use "Gorilla Snot" !  Apply it to your fingers and your pick won't slip away anymore!
Note: If you have got too sweaty fingers, use a wee bit more!

Greetings from Tim


I wrapped a small balloon around the top portion of my pick and secured it down with super glue.

Donated


I use a hole punch to punch a hole in my picks.  This works great to keep the pick from slipping and rotating too.

Donated

I just happened to pass by your guitar site today and I think its excellent. Keep up the good work, I think your site is a wonderful acoustic guitar resource. I have a suggestion regarding holding picks. This topic was brought up in the "guitar tricks" section. Some other people suggested using sandpaper or other adhesives. I had problems holding picks at first also, but I now modify my picks by simply taking a screwdriver or knife (or some similar tool) and scratching or "scoring" the surface of the pick on both sides. This means I simply run the knife or screwdriver tip across the plastic making deep indented lines, and this provides small grooves or texture on the pick which I find helps me hold onto the picks much better. Maybe you should run this idea on your website as an alternative idea.

Fred B. Tran


I solved this problem years ago by placing Sportsman's GOOP on each side of the pick.  A little goes a long way.  Do one side, let it dry, then the other.  Place the pick(s) on a non-porous service so it peels off easier.  It will level out some due to its water-like characteristic.  It dries to a rubbery consistency. If it comes off later it can always be redone.  Another thing I've done is picking up the pick prior to it drying completely and "imprinting" my thumb or index finger into the GOOP which gives a pocket-like effect. (Not recommended for people with criminal tendencies since your fingerprints are imprinted on the picks.) I do this to all of my picks. It works 
great!

Bill Elwell


Hi, my husband found your site and sent me to check it out. Cool! Love it!

I just started learning to play a year ago, and I have half of two of my fingers missing on my right hand. My index and ring fingers.  Also my middle finger is bent at the first joint due to the accident, so picks are a real big problem for me. 

After months of cutting up everything made of plastic to create a pick that would not spin after about 10 strokes, I thought of the stick down tread made for bath tubs. They are rough enough for a good grip, but thin enough to use on one side of the pick on the upper half.  They already have the adhesive on one side and are easy to trim to the exact shape of the pick, and you only need grip on one side anyway. No big mess with glue to deal with either.

My other solution was to dip the wide end of the pick into liquid rubber coating made for tools.  About half way down the pick works for me.  Of course I also have to use the largest picks, but it works for any size.

Sue V.


When I was young my flat picks used to fly out of my hand! I used narrow Gibson plastic thumb picks held with my finger as well as the thumb-ring.  Another thing that came to mind is I have seen plastic picks with thickish cork on both sides, a good way of keeping grip and also good for us arthritis sufferers!  What I love now is the "Wirething".  This is a small bent piece of wire-three different types.  I use the copper/beryllium- set in a nicely designed plastic plectrum style grip.  The power in this pick is great- it gives you great control over the attack as the curve of the wire goes over the string.

Chi Allen