How do you deal with pick slip?

Playing Technique
#1

For some time now I’ve been encountering a problem that I’m not sure how to solve. When I play a prolonged amount of time (say 1-2-3 minutes) of riffs without stopping my pick starts to slip backwards. What I mean by this is that when I start the tip is pointing slightly toward the head of the guitar:

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After about of minute of downpicking for example it’s already pointing straight at the guitar:
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And after about another minute it’s now pointing backwards (towards the bridge):
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At this point the attack becomes very weak and “slidy” and I have to stop and readjust the pick. I play metal so I use and need a decent attack. Ironically, it seems that the harder I pick (power chords make it worse) the more the pick slips and the lighter I pick :smiley:

I don’t sweat much but I have always had a problem with gripping the pick and have tried various fixes and hacks for that. For example scratching deep lines on the pick with a knife (I once got a Dave Mustane pick that had such), using Monster Grips, etc. What I have found to work best for me is Dunlop’s Max Grip picks. They do have a much better grip that regular ones but still I have the above problem.

So, have you dealt with this issue? How did you solve it? Is it a matter of just gripping the pick tighter? Or maybe holding it differently?

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#2

I had the same problem, and still have with smooth picks.

Using Max Grips solved it. Those picks are like glue.

Maybe your pick attack is too edge-like so the string pushes the pick upwards on your downstrokes? I noticed that players that edge pick in extreme angles have a very different downstroke than upstroke sometimes.

Still, I’m trying to understand how your pick can slip with the max grip.

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#3

I am drilling holes in mine. With jazz III XL I don’t have those problems because the text on it provides enough structure.

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#4

Yep. I think that’s the reason. My edge angle is about 30 degrees:

Not sure if that’s too much.

I think that between notes I loosen the grip a little and probably don’t “retighten” it as much (or soon enough) for the next note.
I don’t know why haven’t I thought about this before but maybe, just maybe, I should make a Magnet video and see exactly what happens!

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#5

Yeah, I have tried various Gravity picks - some with holes and some with deep engraving. However, I still prefer the Max Grips even though their attack is a little smoother.

#6

I sometimes have the same issue, things seem to improve by reducing a bit the edge picking, as otgers have said. I still haven’t found a good grip for funk strumming though.

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#7

Maybe taking some rough 60 grit sandpaper to the sides of the pick may give it that grippiness.

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#8

Have you tried using Dunlop Tortex picks? They don’t have ridges, but the matte finish of the plastic just feels “sticky” in a way that other picks don’t. The Dunlop Jazz III XL is more slippery than Tortex, but has raised lettering that helps with grip. When I first tried Ultex picks, I found them too slippery, so you can probably rule them out (though I adapted to them eventually).

Further to the sandpaper scuffing suggestion, if you don’t find another solution that works, you could try literally glueing sandpaper of your choice to both sides of the “grip” region of the pick.

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#9

I use Dava grips but you could try scoring both sides of the grip area with a razor blade.

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#10

The best thing you can do is practice moving it around with your fingers, over time you’ll just adjust the angle automatically as you play, make a habit out of playing with your pick away from guitar playing, kee some in your wallet etc…

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#11

That’s an interesting idea! Must try it!

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#12

I use a Dunlop The Wedge 1mm. This pick hands down works for me better than any other pick I’ve tried. This one has stuck with me for years. I’m not sure if I’ve had problems with slipping but my grip may be the reason why. I hold the pick with thumb closer to the tip of thumb, and first finger using the tip of finger kinda between the side and bottom. I think I using a medium tight grip. I also notice that I don’t dig the pick too deep between the strings.

Playing is so personal that I can only tell you what works for me. I think if you find a pick that feels comfortable to you, but you have some slippage, then try a few subtle adjustments to your grip.

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#13

Depending on the type of pick you like
I have used big stubbies and max grips nylon for a bit as well as the Swiss picks and the Clayton sharks that actually have a sandy bit of surface on them with good luck
I use Tortex sometimes but man they get slippery fast for me
I use regular size or Jazz 3 xl cause man those jazz picks are just to small for my hands
Also perhaps grip tape on the pick may work if you got some handy

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#14

This happens to me with some picks,
I wondered if it were slipping or was my body making micro adjustments in order t to play certain parts or maybe even my ear caused the body to do it for tone reasons.

Or of course is it just slipping.

But I do agree that you could practice adjusting it if it is a real issue.

I did this for hybrid picking
Spent time with my pick away from the guitar like a slight of hand magician/weirdo practicing passing the pick off to other digits then passing it back so I could comfortably make those moves on the fly.

#15

do like Yngwie…hit 4 notes then throw the pick away lol