What you’ll learn
- Hold the pick without tension.
- Use small motions.
- Position both hands steadily.
Before you practice
Hold the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger, with only a small tip showing. Too much exposed pick can catch between strings.
Use small motions mainly from the wrist. The shoulder and forearm position the hand without driving every note.
Fret with just enough pressure to make the note ring. Excess pressure can pull notes sharp and tire your hand.
Lesson exercise
- Pick downstrokes on one string at 60 BPM.
- Alternate down and up with equal intensity.
- Cross between two strings without widening the motion.