When playing the guitar, there is nothing that becomes disgusting like the guitar sliding. Sometimes it happens when you have a performance leaving you tired. Some people try to control it using the legs, but still, it continues to slide. Therefore, it is important to knows the ways to stop the guitar pick from sliding, moving or dropping.
The worst part comes when the guitar pick begins to move. You will have a hard time because it slides off and sometimes can even drop. Taking measures to prevent it from sliding or dropping becomes the initial step.
However, there are some measures you can take to ensure that the mess does not happen again. Some of the tips involve the correct holding position, and others entail effective methods.
Possible causes of having the guitar pick sliding, dropping and moving
There are 6 things that you may have been doing that end up making the guitar pick misbehave. Some of the common practices include.
The position you hold the pick
The position you hold the pick can be the major problem as to why it keeps sliding. Most people look at how they fret when using the guitar and forget the other essential parts. You have to watch the movement of the right and left hands when playing the guitar.
Comfort is essential when it comes to such analysis. For the several styles, you have to do several practices so that you have a better understanding. Once you learn to manage it, the pick will not misbehave.
How much do you use for the pick
If you are using too much for the pick, then it will misbehave frequently. Once you understand the positioning, you have to know that the pick needs a style to handle. You need to have a better understanding of how frequently you need to be using the pick.
With some frequent exercising, you will learn how to manage through the pick. However, you don’t have to make too much use because it will begin to move and eventually drop.
How tight do you hold the pick
It is normal for people to hold the pick tighter so that it does not slip off. But you end up causing more damage than good without understanding what you need to do. Unfortunately, such problem is very common wit
They end up using too much speed, which does not work properly when you hold it loose. After the use of too much force, you notice that the pick ends up having some damages. You need to understand the art of playing with some loosening hence maintaining the proper speeds.
Flimsy pick
Sometimes the problem is not much with the player. For example, the pick may be flimsy, and the thickness confuses. Different types of thickness will have different effects. Your choice matters a lot in such a case because you need to have one that you will use at ease.
The optimal thickness of the guitar is 1.5mm, which is not very heavy. So you have, and assurance that choosing the right one will not cause much harm. A sober choice is all you need to have the pick remaining stable.
If it is too thick, there is an effect on the sound that makes you press it harder or leave it light. The harder you press, the better the sound and vice versa. You now know why you will press and put too much pressure on the pick hence damaging it. It is a good idea to explore the various types of thicknesses.
The music style
Finally, we have the music style you play. It has a huge impact on how the picking hand moves around. At this point, you will need to do some research on the kind of music you play and the various styles.
When the music is heavy, then a heavier pick becomes necessary. This means that you will play the heavy music without having the pick sliding off or dropping. Music such as classical and jazz is heavy and will need a heavier pick.
The light music will also need a lighter pick. Having a variation that comes along with the various picks creates an opportunity to get the better one. Speed pickups are usually lighter compared to the heavier ones.
Poor pick
A poor pick will deliver a horrible performance. It can either be out of date after serving for a more extended period or a substandard one. If the pick does not match the guitar’s performance, it will not serve for long before you begin to experience the various challenges.
Focusing on quality is something that you should not at any point ignore. Bad quality amounts to lousy performance.
How To Stop Your Guitar Pick from Moving, Sliding or Dropping
Various ways are helpful in the prevention of the guitar pick from falling. Some of the most effective methods are as we have highlighted below.
Correct holding of the pick
You need to ensure that you hold the guitar pick correctly. We also appreciate that each guitarist has their ways of holding the guitar and protecting its pick. Several styles, therefore, come along to help the players to handle the pick.
The position of holding the guitar differs from the kind of play you are having. A good example comes when you are using accented strumming and when you play the picked song. So its holding will differ in all the styles and the playability of the guitarist.
Most people will learn their style of playing and holding the picks without any form of training. It is like an art that each person learns without any technical challenges. Getting the best position for holding the guitar pick means that you have to get the most comfortable position.
The most effective way of doing it is by holding the first knuckle on the side that you position your index finger. After holding it, you will do the balancing so that it does not fall off. Now you have to place the thumb on top of the pick such that you can play the guitar while still holding the pick so that it does not fall off.
You will now manage the pick by ensuring that it does not fall. Next, you will pull the fingers towards the palm to expose it. The method is effective and will keep the hand in place and the pick safe without getting tired.
Holding the guitar tight
Learning sessions involve many picks falling because most people focus on holding the guitar, forgetting the pick. It is held lightly, and then we begin to pick too hard. As we do the plucking,we grip down or hold too hard, making the arms rigid. It happens most when playing songs that require a lot of picking.
What happens when we do so is that the sound you get becomes unnatural. You will therefore not enjoy the rhythm much. By all means, you will need a change in the playing technique. The strumming style has to change a bit so that the sound comes with a slight change.
You will have to learn the striking techniques to become effective with how you do the balancing. It is something that will come naturally once you begin to practice it. The attacking angle also changes when you change the striking method.
If you have to hold the guitar lightly, then you have to apply very little pressure as if you are holding a pen. You need to take some caution here so that you don’t hold it too light to avoid having it fall off.
Another way is holding it at an angle of attack. The angle of attack is where you have to hold the guitar at the point that is so close to the soundhole. Maintaining an angle of around 45 degrees is a nice thing to maintain a light hold.
Another way of managing it is having a dynamic control on the pick. It means that you will hold it firmly. Hard holding means more robust notes, and soft holding means lighter notes.
Now you also need to look at the pick. If it is tick, then dynamic strumming s not effective. It can sound louder depending on how you hold and do the plucking. You can experiment with various picks so that you understand what happens better.
One thing you need to avoid is holding the tension for too long. It causes more damage which also becomes straining. You may have difficulty sustaining the strain injuries, especially if they happen for the most extended periods. When you feel strained, you need to come up with a comfortable method that will keep you safe.
Making the guitar picks sticky
Another effective method is making the guitar picks sticky. Using something that will make them sticky and more grippy is an effective way of ensuring that they are held in place and safe. You need to ensure you have done to dry your hands because if they are wet,it will slide.
You can also check on the pick itself to ensure that it is in place and then assess its function best. One of the things you will have to focus on is getting something that will stand on it not to fall off. Most people will think of getting a small wood or rubber block and then use an adhesive to create solid contact with the guitar making it firmer.
Some solutions will not make the guitar look as beautiful as it is. You will, however, choose a method that will deliver the best service for you.
Use a tape
Another excellent and reliable method is the use of tape. The good thing with using tape is that you will have it getting substantial on the pick. Also, this solution is temporary as you look for a permanent one.
You need to be very tactical when placing the tape on the pick. It has to stick firmly such that even when pushed, it does not move. You will hold the pick as it faces downwards and then put a tape around it, ensuring that the part that gets in contact with the guitar does not move off. When placing it, you will hold it firmly using the index finger and then fix it up.
You will notice that the pick stays in place, and you can tuck in without a hassle. While using the guitar, you will ensure that you learn how to manage the pick because you will experience challenges when it comes to using the other guitar models. Practicing the various playing styles is an excellent thing as it will help you become familiar with the picks.
One challenge that you will experience and need to replace the tapes from time to time. Although tiresome, it will save on the cost of having to replace the pick after it falls off. Once you feel that you need a premium solution, you will use a stronger adhesive to hold the guitar to place.
Scoring and sanding the guitar
Another way to have a permanent and reliable solution is to score and sand the guitar. You need to roughen the guitar first using sandpaper or any cross-hatch surface. Thus, you need to ensure that the place you work on is the one that the pick sleeps.
You can also do the same on the sides of the pick. Again, rubbing and roughening is effective because it makes the pick stay in place. It does not easily slide off because there is adequate movement resistance, hence maintaining the pick’s safety.
Punching holes on the pick
Here is another method that works perfectly. You have to punch holes on the pick using a sharp tool that looks like a needle. A thumbtack makes the best tool for making the holes.
This method does not have a specific design for doing things, allowing you to make any design without a hassle. Now the holes are the ones that you will be holding when playing the guitar as they provide some form of good resistance. Whatever tool you use for strumming will work best with this model.
Some people will make a single large hole that their fingers will stay in hence providing the resistance. You can be sure that the outcome is reliable and very effective. You can do this to any pick so long as they do not continue slipping.
If the pick is thinner, you may have to get a slightly bigger hole. You will ensure that you do a proper lining up depending on the outcome you wish to register. What happens best is the finger gets a platform where you will comfortably prick and get a high-level grip.
Use non-slip guitar picks
There are non-slip guitar picks that also prove to be very effective in making your work easier. It is good that there are picks whose major work is to ensure that you conveniently do your work. Once you install them on the guitar, you will not have them getting off frequently.
Various types prove to be quite effective in managing the tasks. Some of them are highlighted below;
Rubber picks
Rubber picks are models that have come and prove to be quite effective in managing the gripping power. The material that makes them up is strong and quite effective as it will ensure that it is in place. Once you place them on the guitar, you will not have them sliding and dropping off.
Some come with adhesives that make them stick permanently. So you have an assurance that when you use them, the chances of experiencing damages are lower. They are perfect for both electric and acoustic guitars.
You can find several models on amazon as they come in a wide range of prices. Some are pocket-friendly, while others are slightly expensive.
Metal picks
The metal picks must use the adhesives to stay in place; most people love them because they are durable and less exposed to falling once they are in place. Your work is to ensure that the one you choose to use is in place.
The good thing with them is that you can add a grip on them to make them firmer. Before you put them on the guitar, you will use sandpaper to make the surface slightly rougher and then stick it.
Various thicknesses will help you have an easy time for your decision-making, hence having an easy time doing your work. Many models are also available on Amazon, depending on the type of guitar you use.
Bonded picks
Bonded picks are excellent as they work perfectly for electric guitars. You will notice that they have a combination material of rubber and plastic material and have a thickness of 1mm. On an electric guitar, you will notice that they are slightly heavier and darker.
Some contain material that works best when you use the lead electric guitars. The essential thing that you need to look at when buying them is compatibility with guitars. You need to understand that the picks are not always compatible, and you will need to make some selections to get the best ones.
If you get one that you feel you love and cannot leave it behind, you will also need a sleeve. A pick sleeve is helpful because it helps in ensuring that everything remains intact despite the pick you choose. When using the pick sleeve, you have to ensure that you fix it on the guitar and then put the pick inside it.
You may also check our article on Best Guitars Under 800 Dollars
Conclusion
You no longer need to experience funny challenges such as the guitar pick dropping, sliding or moving. We have covered the causes and the solutions that will end the challenge. One thing that needs your focus is having the best pick as it will have fewer challenges.
