To Pick, or Not to Pick?

As a beginner guitar player, you have a voracious appetite to learn all things guitar. You watch videos on YouTube, study guitar tabs, and even join forums to connect with other like-minded individuals who share your passion for the six-string. All that just so you can get to know the secrets behind your guitar heroes and the songs they play.

During your hours of study though, you learn something very peculiar: Some guitar players play with a pick, while some don’t. This discovery spurs one burning question in you: Should you play with a pick or not?

It all boils down to preference and finding your own unique voice. Granted, using a pick is the simpler approach between the two choices, and is therefore a good starting point for a beginner. Using your fingers to pluck or strum demands more skill and is a technique that takes a long time to master.

Still, it is recommended that you experiment with both approaches and achieve a basic facility for each. Most pro-level guitarists can play either way, and will choose one over the other depending on the demands of a song.

In conclusion, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing to play with or without a guitar pick. Again, it’s all about preference, and what feels and sounds good to you. So go ahead and try which one you like.