Just started module 1.

Even before I came here I've noticed that I don't hold my pick the same way as most people. I hold it with the pads of my index finger and thumb. When I look at video's everyone else seems to hold it against the side of their index finger.

So I've started to hold my pick the same way as Pebber does in the video. It feels a little awkward to me, especially at the bottom strings, and also Strumming chords. (Especially the up strokes)

Even though I feel a little clumsy with it right now I can see the advantage of it. I would always hit my strings flat with the pick and I just never seemed to progress past a certain speed.

Since I'm making the effort to change something that I've done for a long time I want to make sure I am doing it correctly, and not trading bad technique for a different bad technique. So I want to know about what kind of angle I should have when my pick hits the strings? Should I use a lesser angle when I am strumming chords than playing notes? And should I try to avoid resting my hand anywhere on the guitar or strings?

Ultimately, I'm sure, the best thing for me to do is to take my time and just keep at it until it begins to feel natural but I would like to get some advice so that I avoid any pitfalls I may not be aware of.

SAROD is the best technique for quick pickings. If you got the dedication you to can pick stuff sarod style and be one of the few on these forums with the dedication to learn this picking enigma...I gaurantee that if & When you get it down you will not regret the effort it took to learn it

Troy

This video is a great overview of how to hold the pick and the 3 picking styles Pebber teaches which are alternate, scalpel, and sarod. Of course, there are other ways to pick the guitar but Pebber has found through 30+ years of teaching guitar that these 3 styles tend to work the best.

I would NOT recommend starting with sarod. Start by holding the pick properly and using alternate picking (from the wrist). Once that progresses for you then move on to scalpel. And then sarod.

I too was curious about strumming chords. I have watched the many videos about single string picking styles. I could swear there was a string picking video from Pebber about strumming chords - and I'm not talking about the one where he talks about the strumming, and it's history on the banjo, etc. Thx!

I too was curious about strumming chords. I have watched the many videos about single string picking styles. I could swear there was a string picking video from Pebber about strumming chords - and I'm not talking about the one where he talks about the strumming, and it's history on the banjo, etc. Thx!

Haha! I was watching the strumming video as i was typing my previous post. That IS the video where it describes sarod picking on 2, then 3, 4, 5 and 6 strings. It's towards the end.