Pick technique

[Setebos]

I played finger style for about 5 years. I tried picks a couple of times but always felt them unnatural until a few months ago that out of the blue I tried a guitar pick and felt quite ok. since then I been trying to play more using a pick. For several things a pick helps my playing but I was never able to use them for more funky stuff in which case i kept using my fingers.
Anyway, 2 weeks ago I saw a video of B. Vega where he says he uses a pick not in the normal way but picking with the back of the pick. I tried this and felt it gets a rounder sound and on the other hand the playing becomes more smooth. The pick moves more freely against the string. and I can do all of what I did with fingers before plus the faster passages I was not able to do with fingers.
Did anyone tried this technique?

 

[SurferJoe46]

I've used triangle picks, round picks and square ones and they all produce a slightly different report.

I even super glued two mandolin picks back-to-back with a piece of thin cork between them to give a double click-n-pop and I liked that a lot too.

Try a felt ukelele pick for some interesting effect too.

 

[JimmyM]

I've tried it. I prefer using the tip but I do know of quite a few players who do what Bobby Vega does. Bottom line, if it's working for you, stick with it.

 

[dannylectro]

I use very large 'soft triangle' picks - always. I can play with my fingers, and occasionally just use my thumb - but I can do anything with my pick.

 

[Setebos]

Thanks guys for the comments.
So far I'm sticking to this technique and will see where it takes me. I tried using 0.73 dunlop tortex which is the one Vega uses but I do prefer using .88 dunlop nylons. Less clacking sound against the string and a duller sound when amplified. Still it has more attack than when playing fingers so the pick sound is still there.

 

[SurferJoe46]

If you hear a clack/click when you touch the pick to the string, just try to angle the pick a tad and it's gonna keep the flat side from making any noise with the slight slap it makes.

When the initial contact surface area of the pick is made so thin when connecting to the string by using it on the edge more, the clack/click won't happen near as much.

 

[HereIGoAgain]

I use .73 Dunlop Tortex picks also. I've not tried yet holding them like you describe though.

 

[Marty Forrer]

Try the Dunlop Max-Grips. They're same material as the nylon ones, but have a considerably more "grippy" surface.
Dunlop also make bass specific picks called Primetone Poly picks. They come in 3mm and 5mm so they're quite fat, but they dont feel clunky. They have a soft attack.

 

[anonymous122511]

Rather than use the back or side of a regular shaped pick I've gone with a more blunt mandolin shape.
I used these for a long time:

This shape is what I've been using lately:

 

[Setebos]

Thanks again guys,

Those picks look good. more rounded edge than normal picks. Yet, I'm based in Argentina so not sure I can get my hands on any of those. Will look around though.

 

[enjoi1018]

I use different picks as my mood changes but find that I always return to my 2mm Dunlop stubby. once they wear down a bit, they play like butter. Only downside is they are like trying to hold an ice cube... I always sand both sides when I have to replace ol' trusty with a new one. Which ain't often.

I have some .88 carbon nylon picks that sound smooth as well that still have a nice punch to the initial sound.

 

[McFarlin]

Refused picks for 17 years, but a new project requires very fast (and clean) playing with a lot of chords and some palm muting. Found my best approach for speed (and a better depth of tone) is using one of the rounded corners with the pointed end toward the headstock. Medium-thick pick. Not sure if this is same as the B. Vega fellow, but it helps with speed and deeper tone compared to using the traditional end.

 

[Setebos]

Not sure exactly how B. Vega does it. I tried it with the tip towards headstock and with tip towards bridge.

Towards headstock it gives me a mellower sound (less attack).

Tip towards bridge has more attack. and this is the one I'm currently using.

 

[anonymous122511]

Thanks again guys,

Those picks look good. more rounded edge than normal picks. Yet, I'm based in Argentina so not sure I can get my hands on any of those. Will look around though.

When I was starting to experiment with blunt picks I filed the point off of some regular Fender shaped ones. Dunlop Tortex was the easiest material to work with. Rough shaping with a very sharp file, finishing with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Getting the right edge bevel for them to play nicely takes a little practice.

Buying them blunt is waaaay easier. Many mandolin players seem to prefer blunt picks. Look for them where mandolins are sold.

 

[somegeezer]

I like to use one of these - Steve Clayton - Guitar Picks, Custom Guitar Picks, Straps, Slides, Polish, Capo
Specifically the small teardrop Duraplex - Steve Clayton USA - Delrin Guitar Picks
I've been using the same one for years and not managed to lose it yet. Thinking of getting a few more.

 

[anonymous122511]

Not sure exactly how B. Vega does it. I tried it with the tip towards headstock and with tip towards bridge.

Bobby Vega holds the pick completely backwards with the tip pointing away from him.
I think he uses these:

 

[TDSLaBassiste]

I even super glued two mandolin picks back-to-back with a piece of thin cork between them to give a double click-n-pop and I liked that a lot too.

And now I have something new to try out!

 

[Setebos]

I tried that option too Jeff but didnt feel comfortable. Too much pick area against the strings.

 

[anonymous122511]

I tried that option too Jeff but didnt feel comfortable. Too much pick area against the strings.

That's what I thought too. On the other hand after trying a bunch of different ways and practicing my ass off I can get fairly comfortable in a few minutes with pretty much anything. Where I found the Vega method most useful was with thinner gauges like .60mm that would normally be way too thin for me.

The only thing that's really stumped me so far was the Hotlicks .009 copper pick Steve Swallow uses. After ten years I can get an acceptable sound with one but I could never figure out exactly how Steve gets the refined almost vocal sound he gets with the thing.

 

[SurferJoe46]

And now I have something new to try out!

You can hear the double-pop on this old recording - it's guitar, but the effect is still the same.

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...or here where there is an upright AND a Fender bass playing the same bass line:::

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I call it a 'Euro-Bass' sound when I use the double picks.