To begin with the easiest way to get a nice tone and volume from your guitar is to use a pick.

Strumming with a thumb pick or your fingers is possible, but I wouldn’t recommended it for beginners.

Below are 3 simple tips and tricks you can try out to help you hold the pick more easily

You Do Not Want To Hold The Guitar Pick Using Only Your Fingertips

Another crucial mistake new guitarists make is holding the pick between their fingertips. Doing this makes you feel as if you have more control, especially when you start playing. They do this because it feels as if you have more control at first. Instead when you grip your pick try to keep it between between the rim of your index finger and the outside edge of your thumb. If you grip your guitar pick between the tip of your finger and your thumb you will probably drop it because you have very little grip.

Try To Hold Your Guitar Pick With Just 2 Fingers

A lot of new guitarists will make the mistake of holding their guitar pick with 3 fingers because it feels easier initially. Sometimes even the best guitarists do this you are only making things harder for yourself. The extra finger can be very useful when you start finger tapping or playing pinch harmonics. Using just 2 fingers to hold the pick gives you far more flexibility for delicate movements. If you hold the pick too firmly (e.g. with 3 fingers) the tone may sound strange because of the angle you strike your strings at.

Try To Find A Guitar Pick That You Like To Play With

When you initially begin playing the guitar it is a good idea to get a pick of a medium thickness. A lightweight pick will feel flimsy in your fingers as you play and will be difficult for you to play your guitar with. Thick picks tend to strum the strings a little too hard for a beginner. One of the picks I most liked when I started playing was the Dunlop 0.6mm nylon. It’s nicely textured, easy to hold and it’s not too stiff, but it has a good sound.

Do Not Clench Your Fist

Holding your pick with a tightened fist is a mistake because it results in a loss of control and accuracy as you strum.

After you have mastered holding the guitar pick the right way it’s time to start learning some guitar chords. Check out learn guitar