I love learning guitar from Arnold Schwarzenegger Jr.

Thanks for this video! I've been playing for 40 years and this is the way I've always held a pick. I've tried the other pick holding position that is somehow the "right" way and it felt so uncomfortable and unnatural that I couldn't adapt. Thanks for making me feel like I'm not a freak! LOL.

That’s how I’ve always held the pick. I still do and some say it’s the wrong way, but it’s always worked wonders for me

This was so validating because I COULD not for the life of me keep my index finger curled up it naturally wanted to straighten out into this grip lol. Just feels right.

How you explained the differences in how you held the pick is almost exactly what ive gone through with picking ive been playing on and off and not very consistently for a couple of years but the pendulum idea really blew my mind it makes so much sense because ive been trying to be more precise and effective with my picking but i noticed i had to much tension is my right hand and it felt so awkward to try and stay consistent

I discovered this myself 50 years ago when started playing mandolin, which requires fast picking & accuracy, then applied to my guitar playing also.. I recommend for beginners to maybe use the second finger for a little guidance until more control is developed..

I forgot how good this tutorial was for me. If you are new to guitar, listen to this man

The grip he shows is ideal for speed and pinch harmonics. Hit the string at a 30-45 degree angle and you’re golden. If these are your goals it’s worth adopting this technique.

I have played guitar and banjo for 40+ years and I took up playing Irish tenor banjo 2 years ago and pick hold and movement has been my main problem. Your technique will help me and it gave me a whole new way to look at it. Thanks!

Holy shit thank you so much. This feels so much better than anything else I’ve tried

I'm been playing for a little over 5 months now and I'm still experimenting. I actually recently just made the same transition as in the video to the way I hold my pick. I feel like it gets more control/precision compared to holding the pick on the side of the index. I do feel like I loose some economy of motion for certain things though, but it might just be that I need to practice it more.

That is the way I like to hold a pick but I was corrected by so many people or "teacher" . You explained it very good. THANKS!

Well, at least I've found one thing I don't need to change 😋

I only found you channel yesterday and have subbed , you explain so well i love your laid back but direct style no BS just a great tuition. Thanks your the best on youtube that I have seen.

Thank you!! I was already using that grip but started practicing that other common grip because I’d seen so many guitarists (I’m actually a bassist switching over) using it but it was so unnatural and limiting I thought there’s gotta be a better way. Thanks for the confidence!!

Another great explanation, Mr. guitarmastery. I hold my pick almost the same, but not exactly. I'll try your suggestion. I find your lessons most sensible. So, now I'll change my picking technique to what you've demonstrated for a while and see whether I can improve.

Thank you so much Claus!!

This solidifies my current practice regiment. I'm in the midst of switching how I hold the pick ( from the pointer+ middle finger and thumb version to this one) it's so frustrating, because I've been playing guitar for over 10 years and that style worked great for acoustic rhythm guitar, but now I'm really digging in to becoming a better lead player and this is making such a massive difference. Good stuff

Been looking for this! Thanks! I’ll try it. Subbed

I nickname this style "bird-beaking" the pick. I have no quarrel with it as I agree that it's all about your goals, man. I've only seen one other guitar instructor recommend it: Tom Hess. However, I can't seem to get away from "conventional" pick holding (where you hold the pick with the thumb against the side of your index finger). To make a long story very short: bird-beaking wrecks the hybrid/swybrid picking that I'm attempting to get better at (and I've made some decent progress already). Sure, I could set everything aside for six months to really give it a fair shake, but time is the fire by which we burn.

Very good advice...thanks for posting!

He explained exactly how I hold the pick, and now I am trying this the way he is showing, it is a very awkward feeling. But I will stick at it like he says. Thank You

Great video again.. Thank you so much. I've been looking for the best solution, I think this could help me from now on.. Respect

awesome vid... your a great teacher Claus !!

Claus, I found this video tonight and I tried this approach. It worked! I have toyed with two way pick slanting for a while but no speed came. I picked up my guitar tonight and tried it your way, adjust the depth of the pick hitting the string and within minutes I was flying through a scale. But what I soon found was soreness in my forearm from not using the muscle this way. I will work on it some more and keep you posted.

As always................ food for thought. Thanks Claus.

Love the Fender you were using and want one myself and now you're repping a new model Charvel.....Great sounding guitar as well.

Great video, Claus. Thank you

Awesome, great instruction! Explained very well. Did some research and this really makes the most sense.

Thank you so much! I've been struggling with different grips, pick angles and wrist motions and it feels so hopeless sometimes. I'm a beginner with a pick, though, so I'll just get back to experimenting and trust that I'll work it out in time.

I have been a 3 finger guy my whole life and just started experimenting the last few weeks with different 2 finger styles.Thanks to your video Claus, I now have another!! I never felt any constraint with 3 finger, and for me seems easier to switch more comfortably between lead/ rhythm playing then 2 finger. With 2 finger I seem to have to do more adjustments when switching my style of play. So far, however, I am finding 2 finger seems to provide me with a bit more accuracy in my lead playing. Will continue the experiment to see if the lead playing dividends will lead to a permanent switch.

Simplicity, is genius. Biggest improvement in my playing, thank you.

Really good!!!

Thanks so much my boss for this lovely lesson

thank you that was very helpful finally found how to hold it

Hello Claus, this is really great. I agree with you 100%. Cheers!

Good lesson. Thanks for this.

I would like to thank this video to you. I hold the pick the same way. :) I started with 351 shaped medium picks, but it was not comfy. So I moved up to heavy, but it was like stiff, so I changed they way I hold the pick, and in the meantime I tried other picks as well, and I found tri stubby the best for my style, because of the grip it has. I can play nice and soft, real quiet, or I can dig deep in and play loud with it, remaining still flexible.

In my experience, I've gone in precisely the opposite direction. I started out holding the pick in line with my forefinger and secured by my thumb but I was never able to get good control over tremolo picking or a few other techniques. I observed players I admired holding the pick the way you showed in the beginning of the video, so I tried holding it that way. Almost immediately, my tremolo picking improved. This was just a few weeks ago, so the new hold is still not perfectly natural to me, but it's becoming more comfortable and my right-hand technique has improved, including pinch harmonics.

I use that third grip, but!.. the pick is reversed, the fat end on a slight angle hits strings. Weird but works for me!

This video was very afirming for me, been playing for about a decade holding the pick like this and have been thinking in the last few months that maybe I should change because i see so many other people doing it differently.

That's the way I've learnt to hold it too.. Right now I clicked this video overwhelmed with depression that I've learnt to hold the pick the wrong way through all these years and you show me it's the best way to do so.... Thank you.......

Holding the pick properly will force you to retrain your whole attack and will really help you to relax while playing fast. This is a great video!

Great stuff!!

Great teacher ☮️🔥

the way you ended it actually made me laugh and subscribe lol thanks brotha.

This way is so much more stable, comfortable and freeing.. but I was always told it was “wrong” so I forced myself into the other positions you mentioned.. pick always sliding around, just awkward. Thank you so much for validating that this technique isn’t “wrong”.

Can you now explain your picking angles and rotation--pickslanting vs edge picking--or which edge of your pick is making contact with the strings? I've recently reworked my pick hold to this grip you've showed, but I'm reflecting George Benson, Sheryl Bailey, and sort of Santana, using the trailing edge picking technique. I love the newfound accuracy, speed, control, tone and the fact I can use a M - H pick, but I'm having extreme difficult strumming up. I'm going to try your style, leading edge picking (?). Thanks Claus!

Thankyou so much. I have been learning guitar for just under 2 years and always stuggled with a plec.. Until now! I was getting used to the muffled sounds coming from using my thumb but now the notes ring clear as a bell.

Thanks for the tip - hope it works for Bluegrass flatpicking as well.

I am a complete beginner and you are absolutely right this is the natural way of holding the pick. I have been trying all other ways and failed miserably.

Thank you. I’m a senior, a long long time a failure at learning to play. I’ve been a thumb strummer. I’m attempting to use a pick. I use to sometimes but even then I held it wrong. F...k, it’s hard to change. Your words show me what to do. Now I just need practise suggestions. I think scales and riffs will work. Thanks again. How to and why work for me.

It depends what the player wants to be able to do on the guitar, the way Claus is showing is a very effective way which enables you to incorporate multiple techniques into 1 giving you freedom and endless possibilities.

Thanks, will try this

Nice tips!

For me that's correct holding the pick especially when you strumming a guitar before I'm a band guitarist and I holding the pick like that for solo and rhythm I salute u sir!

Thanks for your video, Claus - the first of yours I've seen. I *think* I pretty much hold my pick in the same way you wound up doing; I say "I think" because of the dark pick and dim lighting. :) What I've wound up doing is making a "plus" with the last segment of my first finger and the last segment of my thumb and the pick goes in between, pointed the way the end of the index finger is pointing. This has the pick touching the first finger partway around to the side.

great example of how can a youtuber make an almost 10 minutes of length video out of 10 seconds. Great!

That's how I've held my pick since day one. It just feels natural to me. I've been told 1000 times that I'm wrong but it works for me so I've never changed. Nice to finally have some validation :-D

If you are having trouble holding a pick or are uncomfortable wearing metal thumb and finger picks.(Dobro or Lap Steel) Get some Bohning Tex-Tite Bowstring Wax from Bass Pro Shop. Just a little on your finger will last a couple of playing times. And for the Finger Picks just rub some on the area where they sit. Much more comfortable and no slippage . Around $10 the stick should last you a long time Red with a Black cap.

Great information. I'm going to try it myself. Ohhh and stubbys are all I use they are great

I will try it out!

I’m trying to break out of that two finger way atm after 10 years of playing. Sweeping and hybrid picking have become easier

great video to make me think thanks really big time help!!

3:10

I'm having the exact same predicament right now. I've noticed fir single string playing and especially pinch harmonics, Paul's way works, but for 20yrs I've used 2 fingers. The only fault I've found with one finger, is rhythm playing, I have way more control of my texture and Dynamics with 2 fingers while strumming

Excellent video, really helpful! Are you dutch by chance? All the best (from Belgium)

I followed other videos (not good) when i got my guitar 6 months ago and as soon as I had professional lessons this is the way I was taught and whilst it feels funny to start it works and loosens the wrist whilst giving control over depth.

thanks...from on old beginner...i appreciate it

I have always held my pick the way you are saying works best for you. I have seen so many other people hold it with thier index finger tucked inward like you first demonstrated, and one guy says you can use your thumb for muting strings but, you obviously can't really do that very well holding the pick with 2 fingers like your final demonstration. I was messing around with how I hold the pick and noticed that when I tucked my index finger I can't play as fast and I don't have the same amount of control. So I guess I will stick with what I've been doing. I didn't realize Paul Gilbert held the pick that way too. BTW, I use the Big Stubbys too. Lol

Claus, are there any videos of you playing in a band? Are you currently playing/composing in a group and if so how can we hear it?

Funny. I'm mostly self-taught and recently one of my friends mentioned that I held the pick in a weird way. So naturally I was worried that I had helt it wrong all these years. Bear in mind that I've never really focused on learning to play the guitar, I just play a bit every now and then. So I started youtubing for pick holding techniques and it really seemed like I held it wrong. Most seem to favour holding it at a 90 degree angle with respect to either the thumb or the index finger. So I tried it and I just couldn't make sense of it. Strumming went fine but any type of finesse or especially pinch harmonics was just impossible. Then I saw this video and it turns out this is exactly how I've been holding my pick since I started playing electric. I think it works fine! Especially when playing on a flying V because the strings are so angled, with a 90 degree pick angle you would have to twist your whole arm to get it to work. But with this technique I just twist my wrist a bit and it works. Same also if I want to use different angles between the pick and string, you have so much control with this grip.

Thanks, I had my nails as my pick for over 1 year and half, Its not pretty bad when i hit notes pretty fast But the thing is my nail is starting to worn out and i had to cut it. Now i don’t have to worry having my nails worn out and gets pointy when not cutting it thanks!!

This is one of the two methods I use to hold the pick. Another is a variation that Kiko Loureiro uses where he grips it by the extreme right end of the pick. Sometimes that's the best method when you need to mute a lot.

I'm using Big stubby 3.0mm too because I love the "curve" in the center of the pick. Been my weakness for playin fast n still workin to get to my limit.

Do you hold it the same way for solos as you do for fast rhythm strumming?

I have been holding it like Carlos Santana, worked ok for him.

For thinner strings I can see how this way of a pick hold is beneficial. But for the thicker strings, and playing fast rhythm stuff (like Slayer, Lamb of God, etc) I feel like I have to have more an aggressive hold to play more aggressive riffs.

Thanks

Thx man

Thank you!

u got a new sub god bless you and thank you XD

well keen to give it a go, I normally tuck my finger under so having it straight out on the flat of the finger is damn odd

It's all on what's comfortable to u , Steve Morse used the thumb , pointer and middle finger too pick... Eddie Van Halen used that way too but he used the thumb and middle finger sometimes but he also used the thumb and pointer sometimes... he changed it mid playing depending what's he's playing

lol... i did the changes the other way ;) reason: when i started hybrid picking i was always using the side of my other fingers... the tone was not very nice, with your first versions it works better for me. Anyways, sometimes i still change back ;)

Some fucking idiot told me that the only right way to do it was the first one, watching this makes me happy because I'm used to the third

Hey do you have any advice for a beginner who needs help being able to move up and down the strings? I wanna get faster and picking through the strings to be able to play my scales faster and maybe start shredding

Damn thanks man

Y’all know how slash hold the pick right. Index and thumb hold it then the rest of the fingers lay on the strings. I’m trying to get used to that way cuz I think it looks cool lol

do you change how hard you hold the pick depending on what you are playing?

i hold the pick the second way u showed, the 3 fingers ^ it rly works perfectly for me i guess it's different from one person to another

I think i could have some problem with this technique in doing palm muting but I’ll try it.

that's nice lookin guitar what model is it ?

I came to this video thinking i been doing it wrong all this years, because most people hold it the way you showed first, turns out I’ve been holding the exact same way that you are recommending in this video.

Great video that's the way I pick and my picking is faster and my speed is unbelievable but I learned that from watching John Petrucci and watching him pick. The one thing I noticed when you are holding a pic like that it is easy to clear the next string.

what kind of guitar of hands free guitar holder is that you are using sir. I subscribed.

I play metal, and it took me a while to get the picking down, I looked at Jim root allot to see how he holds a pick so that's what my picking kinda looks like

Very very interesting..thanks

Really cool... Claus is like a guitar technique engineer.

I only just started doing this and I got extremely paranoid that was doing it wrong as I've never really held it like that. When I changed I found that I could downpick much faster but my alternate picking was not as good although after a while it's so much better