Is there such as thing as too little pick depth?

Technique Critique
#1

Is there such a thing as too little pick depth? I got a stylus pick when they first came out in '89 and in all honesty, I think it’s wrecked my picking.

The issue is that now I play with what I believe is far too little pick depth. My nornal grip results in the pick being visible by only around 1-2mm. I now use the small Jazz III picks and I’ve built speed and endurance, but I’ve always struggled catching unwanted strings, which I now understand can be mitigated with pick slanting. The problem is, with such a tiny amount of pick visible, it’s very hard to get the slant angle to make a difference.

Does this resonate with anyone or am I making excuses for other deficiencies? The simple answer may be to just play with a different pick grip but I may as well learn to play with my toes because after 37 years it’s all locked in and anything else feels alien. Am I a lost cause?

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#2

Yeah. You need to be able to modulate pick depth by feel IMO. You’re not a lost cause, I had to relearn pretty much the same thing. It’s very doable, and, frankly, sounds way better

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#3

Welcome!

Just to clarify, around here that’s referred to as pick “exposure” - the amount sticking out of the grip. Depth is how much actually hits the string.

I do think that’s a very small amount of pick exposure in the photo - it would strongly limit dynamics and overall control, imo.

Definitely not, though there will be some relearning involved. I’d probably start by using a larger pick (perhaps Jazz iii XL, or Flow) and forcing yourself to use more pick exposure. This will be difficult for a while, as you’re going to lose a reference point - I assume you currently use the flesh of the thumb as a sort of depth limiter. But you have to give it a shot, and then assess how well it’s working, where the problems are, etc…

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#4

Sure, there’s little pick showing, but there’s only so much we can deduce from a static picture!

If you are up for it, I’d suggest uploading a short video highlighting a problem you are encountering. E.g.: trying to play a specific riff where the small pick exposure is giving you a result you don’t like.

More generally, if you think about it logically there’s no need to think about the “sunk cost” of the 37 years doing something. If you find a better way, it will feel better instantly :slight_smile:

Pardon the silly example: if I spend 37 years running with 2 left steps and 2 right steps, and then someone shows me that it’s actually better to alternate left,right,left,right… etc. you know where I’m going with this, I suspect :smiley:

Note: I’m not saying your current technique is analogous to running with 2 left 2 right. It may be totally fine - we won’t know until we see it in action!

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#5

Thanks all for the responses and helpful tips so far. I’ve attached a clip of me playing a couple of scale patterns using my grip with minimal exposure (thanks!) whilst trying my best to implement pick slanting. It doesn’t work well because although my speed is kinda there, the pick hygiene isn’t and I can feel/hear it snagging and catching. Clearly I’m not doing too great at slanting.

Picking

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#6

You sound good! What is worth noting is that everything you played successfully is DSX (the final note on a string, before changing to another, is a downstroke) - the Trilogy Suite run is good, and the Gilbert Sixes just get a little mixed up on the higher strings. You attempt, and quickly abandon, playing 6 notes per string around the 27 second mark - this doesn’t work out for you, because it would require either a USX motion, two-way pickslanting, DBX, or starting on an upstroke with your current technique.

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#7

Lost cause? Bro you rip, what’s the problem here? :grin:

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#8

It feels like my limited pick exposure is holding me back from properly implementing pick slanting. I also struggling getting speed up with 2nps pentatonic patterns. I’ve tried a very different grip based on a video from Bernth guitar academy and although it feels alien, it does solve the exposure problem and shows some potential although will take time to feel natural. I guess I was hoping somebody would say “no, your pick exposure is fine and not your primary issue” :blush:

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