Picking with the Side of the Pick

I play with the side of a Dunlop Tortex 0.6mm pick, always have for some reason, but I almost exclusively play rhythm. I'm starting to play more riff/lead based stuff now though, so may start to use the pointy end. The stuff I'm playing ATM is funk/punk/rock.

I'm not the man to tell you how to bring out the best though as I'm rather heavy handed to say the least.

 

If / when I use a pick, I hold it the same as you - i.e. using the side too.

Just go with your own thing. There is no right or wrong.



FWIW, Stevie Ray Vaughan did too - I'm fairly I sure remember reading.

 

+1. Got turned on to playing the pick "on the shoulder" by Dan Huckabee (Texas bluegrass guitar and dobro guru) on one of his instruction tapes (cassette!)...about 25 years ago. Haven't looked back. Bigger, fatter tone and better release off the strings.
Swang on,

 

I do. Stevie did. Dunlop Tortex .88 for me.

 

I first learned that from Matt Schofield's instuctional DVD. I was using Dunlop Ultex 2.0mm Sharps; I found using the shoulder gave a much better release and softer attack. The problem was holding the pick in that manner felt strange and a bit too small, so I went with Golden Gate mandolin picks, which are triangular with a very rounded point, like the shoulder on a standard Fender 351 (?) pick.

Lately, I've gotten more used to using the shoulder on the Dunlops, so I go back and forth between them and the GGs.

 

Hello there, new user here, but long-time follower for infos about guitars and amps!
I only play with the side of the pick (tortex standard) however I am also deeply interested in using a thumbpick, à la Johnny Winter, I was wondering if you knew such a thing, because switching pick to thumbpick gets easily frustrating...
anyone with my same ideas??

 

Howdy!! thanx!!
yea I totally agree with that, thing is, I've played a lot with both picks and thumbpicks, now I wanted to merge things up like an "extended-striking-surface thumbpick" meant to simulate the touch of the side of a normal pick(I know, it's crazy...), it's not that I feel limited by using one instead of the other(both of them have their adv./disadvantages) o well, guess the right path is to carry both in my pocket

 

I know Robben Ford plays like this too, seen some dvd's where he is advertising to play with the pick upside down, kinda gives a thicker sound.

 

For some reason when I first started thats how I did it and now 20 some years later thats still how I do it-every once in a while I notice my pointer finger nail is getting worn down from hitting the string too. Works for me

 

Works for me too.

 

After twenty years playing it's only the last few years that I've really learned to us the pick as a tone control. I use heavy picks (1mm plus) and really dig into the string using the edge of the pick, sounds 'chewy', almost like a wah-wah, depending on vibrato and pitch etc.

 

I stumbled upon this too. Gets a warmer tone out of the strings, I feel more connected w the guitar if that makes sense. I used to play w a thumbpick and remember liking it better when id worn the end of the pick down. it puts you just slightly closer to the strings, gives you more control. I spend A LOT more time playing w just my fingers though. But this trick is helpful for fast rhythm lines.

 

Did SRV play with the side or with the pick upside-down? I thought I had read upside-down, which is how I play. I guess it's similar, I've never tried on the side, but really love the tone I get from the "round end." I've always liked the tone from finger picking, but when I play with my fingers it doesn't have the same bite to it as when I play with a pick, but I've found playing with the pick upside-down has more of a finger picking sounding tone but has the extra bite to it.

 

I use one of the round corners, the point goes towards my palm. Dunlop tortex 1mm (although I've got some Gator grip .96mm which aren't too bad but wear out quicker. I suppose I'm playing a bit hard?)

 

thank you!! I'm gonna try them as soon an I can
maybe I could round 'em up a little bit on the tip to get the exact shape, but those are definitely similar to the side of the pick!