The Art Of Choosing A Guitar Plectrum

guitar
Photo by CZMJ

It’s quite amusing how guitarists put so much effort into such a small object. However, this is because these tiny objects can have a significant impact on their music.

For those who are unaware, a guitar plectrum, or guitar pick, is the flat device that helps players strum their guitars. The most common materials used in making guitar picks are metal, plastic, celluloid, rubber, felt, tortoiseshell, wood, glass, and stone. Guitarists can choose plain or printed picks, based on their preferences. Many pre-printed designs are available in the market, and customizing picks with any image of choice is now possible. It’s even possible to find picks made from silver and gold, with some adorned with diamonds or sapphires. However, all these qualities mentioned above are not the most crucial factors to consider when selecting a guitar pick.

The type of pick chosen will affect the quality of the music produced by the player, so it’s important to choose wisely. There are four significant factors that a player should consider when selecting the appropriate guitar pick: size, softness or hardness, consistency, and width.

Beginners are advised to choose larger picks for ease of use, while experienced guitarists often prefer smaller picks as they find them easier to strum with.

For rock music, harder picks are recommended, while softer picks are preferred by acoustic players for the smoother sound they produce.

The consistency of a pick is also crucial. A textured pick sticks easily to sweaty hands, preventing it from slipping off the fingers like a smooth pick would.

Another important factor is the width of the pick, as it has a significant impact on the quality of the music produced. Guitar picks are categorized into four groups based on their width: light, medium, thick, and extra thick. Light picks, measuring from 0.44mm to 0.69mm, are preferred by musicians who play smooth jazz Jazz Gets Modern With Acid Jazz - I believe that anyone who appreciates music and acid jazz, or has a particular taste in musical genres, can agree that sometimes listening to the same songs repeatedly can become tiresome. Your passion for the music may gradually diminish as you hear the same tracks over and over. In my opinion, this is a sign… chords and laid-back acoustic rhythm guitar. Medium picks, measuring from 0.70mm to 0.84mm, are popular among most guitarists, as they produce clean sound for rhythm, acoustic, and electric guitars. Thick picks, measuring from 0.85mm to 1.13mm, are favored by rockers for the powerful and well-defined rocky sound they create. Picks that measure 2.00mm or more in width belong to the extra thick range. These picks are ideal for lightning-speed guitar solos, shredding, and heavy guitar riffs due to the strong sound they generate.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME