Types of Guitar Picks

It is funny how the tiniest and cheapest guitar accessory can influence the tone and technique.The type of pick – material ,thickness, texture and shape can strongly influence the tone, phrasing and articulation.

Regardless of the type of genre you play, and the musical applications you’re attempting, the type  of pick will provide a tonal foundation for your sound and your technique.

Shape and size

A typical standard pick looks like an elongated triangle with rounded edge or some would say, like a teardrop.

• On one side, it is a broad surface where it provides a comfortable grip to hold the pick
• The other side, a flat pointy tip to strike the strings

These picks provides more control and direction connection to the strings. These picks are best for playing progressive, metal and jazz styles. Larger picks are typically meant for heavier gauge instruments such as baritone guitar and bass.

THICKNESS

The factor is the thickness of the pick. Most picks have its thickness printed on it.

The lighter picks are usually 0.53mm. These are the types that are ideal for strumming purposes or to produce a more sensitive and trebly tone. If you are looking at control, then this is not the pick to get as it bend and flicks.

For the thicker picks, it provides a rounded, fuller and heavier tone which help to assert the notes more precisely.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, thicker picks yield a fuller, rounder and heavier tone, and help to articulate notes more precisely. Jazz players and fast metal players gravitate towards these, as both the round, full-end tone and speed appeals to them.

In general, thinner striking surface (in other words, thin and pointy) will emphasize higher frequencies and give a more trebly tone; to get those lower overtones to vibrate, you need a thicker, rounder pick. Think about it: when you play with the fleshy part of your thumb it sounds muffled, much darker than with your fingernail. The same principle applies, and it becomes a question of finding the balance of tone that is right for you, and combining it with a shape that you find comfortable to hold.

Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

On a tight budget? No worries, I have a separate list of essential and optional items.

You can slowly acquire the optional items as you progress in your skills.

Which brands do I use?

Guitar: We have our own label of guitars. You can purchase it at our studio (:

Alternatively, you can purchase the recommended brands in our tutorial video

Pick: When you purchase our guitars, we’ll provide you with our home-brand pick as well! I would definitely recommend purchasing a thinner pick for easier strumming.

Watch this video to understand how these accessories works

Extra Strings: Elixir Anti Rust Strings
Capo: D’Addario
Strap: Levy Straps
Strap Lock: D’Addario or Planet wave
Metronome: download this app
Music Stand: Hercules music stand
Recorder/ Looper: Boss

The Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar Review

Beginner Acoustic Guitar Review
When it comes to acoustic guitars, one of the more popular inexpensive options is the Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar. Is this a perfect guitar? By no means – but if you are looking for an acoustic guitar for a beginner or someone who just plays as a hobby, it’s not a bad choice.

This 44 x 21.5 x 5.5 inch, 10 pound Yamaha acoustic guitar has 20 frets, is made of mahogany, with a laminated spruce top and rosewood fretboard. The guitar may be a little bulkier than some entry level options, but it is made of quality wood which means it can still produce a decent tone – something that can’t be said about several of the other cheapest options out there. The Yamaha F310 holds up well over time, but one selling point is that if it does get beat up too much, it wasn’t that big of an investment in the first place and is easy to replace. For these reasons, you can see why it is a popular option for an entry-level Japanese style Acoustic Guitar.
When it comes to how the F310 feels in your hands, the neck is slender and comfortable to grip. Because it’s not too wide, it’s a good choice for younger players whose hands may be smaller and have a difficult time fitting around a guitar with a wider neck. Additionally, the strings on the guitar don’t have tons of action – making it easy for anyone new to guitar to correctly finger chords as they build up finger strength.
Conclusion
So, to sum it all up – the Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar is inexpensive but still made from quality materials. If you can find one used, it’ll be an even better deal. It’s not a large investment for beginners, but, if you put some time into it you may find a more suitable option out there. So if you want something to give to the kids and not care if they destroy it, or if you just need an affordable guitar to practice or use while away from home, it can definitely get the job done.
Want to learn more about your beginner acoustic guitar options? Take a few minutes and check out our reviews of other acoustic guitars options from manufacturers like Epiphone as well as our own in-house model beginner acoustic.
learn how to play the guitar with our online guitar lesson

Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

On a tight budget? No worries, I have a separate list of essential and optional items.

You can slowly acquire the optional items as you progress in your skills.

Which brands do I use?

Guitar: We have our own label of guitars. You can purchase it at our studio (:

Alternatively, you can purchase the recommended brands in our tutorial video

Pick: When you purchase our guitars, we’ll provide you with our home-brand pick as well! I would definitely recommend purchasing a thinner pick for easier strumming.

Watch this video to understand how these accessories works

Extra Strings: Elixir Anti Rust Strings
Capo: D’Addario
Strap: Levy Straps
Strap Lock: D’Addario or Planet wave
Metronome: download this app
Music Stand: Hercules music stand
Recorder/ Looper: Boss

Epiphone Pro-1 Acoustic Guitar Review

There are all kinds of acoustic guitars out on the market. Some are very pricey, some not so much, and some are so cheap you wonder how they are made. If you are a beginner or intermediate who is looking to pick up a guitar that isn’t going to burn a hole in your pocket, the Epiphone Pro-1 Acoustic Guitar is a great option. If you are an experienced guitarist or touring musician who just needs another acoustic axe to toss around on the bus – you might want to grab a few as well.

Let’s break it down. This guitar works for beginners because it’s priced right, comes from an established brand and can take a little beating. Epiphone has been around a while and their parent company is Gibson – one of the world’s leading guitar makers. Even if you are buying an inexpensive guitar, you don’t want to buy one that’s so cheap it’s going to break before you intend it to. What’s more – the guitar needs to have a pretty decent tone or you won’t ever play it. For its price, the Epiphone PRO-1 Acoustic Guitar has a great tone. Simply put, this is well-crafted entry-level guitar from a recognizable name in the industry that has been around for over 100 years.

So let’s talk about the tone for a moment. When it comes to entry level acoustic guitars, the sound of the Epiphone Dreadnought-styled PRO-1 acoustic is going to be about as good as it gets in the $150 price range. The guitar is made of selected laminated spruce, which helps the quality of the tone over other similarly priced models. Spruce is also among the most popular wood used to make guitars in the US because it helps produce a nice tone and can project well.

When it comes to how the guitar feels and handles as you play it, the Epiphone PRO-1 offers a number of benefits over other starter acoustic guitars in its class. First it’s slightly shallower which makes handling and playing a bit easier for beginners – especially if they are smaller, like a teenager. Next, the bridge uses a pin-less design which makes restringing for new players a far simpler task. Strap buttons also come preinstalled so wearing the guitar while standing – if that’s what you prefer – is easy to do as well.

All-in-all, the PRO-1 has four models that are priced at different points making it easy to say yes to that teenager who you aren’t quite sure will stick through with the commitment. Additionally, if you need a cheap burner guitar to take on a road trip or vacation, this is a great option because not only is lightweight and slightly smaller but if it breaks or gets lost, you haven’t lost that big of an investment.

If you’re interested in learning more about your options when it comes to beginner acoustic guitars, be sure to check out our reviews of other acoustic guitars options from manufacturers like Yamaha and Gibson as well as our own in-house model beginner acoustic.