How do you hold a pick?

I sorta switch between them, and I usually don't use the point of the pick but the rounded top corners.

And I don't angle it, either.

Between thumb and index. That leaves the middle free for hybrid picking.

Well I'm not a professional but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

I've always used just the thumb and forefinger to hold the pick and for the first 6-9 months I would always have the pick slip and or drop out of my hand when playing.

I tried all different picks, some which seemed to help alittle but eventually I got over that problem and rarely if ever have a problem with the pick and even when it slips I usually can use some part of it to pick a string with until I can readjust.

I don't do any hybrid picking but as Noteboat mentioned if you wanted to do it you may need the middle finger.

I'm not a professional either, but I stayed in a Ramada Inn Tuesday night. I use just thumb and index. I've never had a problem with it moving around, so I can't help there.

Nor am I a professional but, I stayed in a dumpster tomorrow night. :wink:

I use thumb and index. I think the more fingers you have on the pick equals less movement with the pick. I feel like I can control and get better reach with using my thumb and index.

But then again, thats the way I like doing it. Everybodies different.

Well I'm wondering if I might want to start practicing with just two fingers on the pick, think I should? It seems I'm rather alone on the whole 3 fingers thing...

I use three fingers most of the time, I'm all about control. I do stretch out and play with my middle finger when I'm doing hybrid picking, but I prefer to have both my middle and index on the pick.

I suppose you should just do whatever is most confortable.

I hold it with thumb and index.

I sorta switch between them, and I usually don't use the point of the pick but the rounded top corners.

And I don't angle it, either.

Man I thought I was the only freak that did that! I have yet to see another player use the rounded corners.

I use the rounded corners from time to time, I sometimes use them as a way to 'cheat' through sweep picked passages, as they provide less resistance as you go over the strings.

I'm trying to improve my sweep picking right now, trying to get over that crutch...

Well I'm wondering if I might want to start practicing with just two fingers on the pick, think I should? It seems I'm rather alone on the whole 3 fingers thing...
I used to need three fingers (like you) to hold the pick so it doesn't slip or turn. I put a little piece of double-sided scotch tape (sticky on both sides) on both sides of the pick, and now it grips good enough that two fingers gives enough grip.

The stickyness lasts for several hours, then I just put on a new piece on each side.

FWIW: EVH uses thumb and middle finger to hold his pick, leaving the index free for tapping and harmonics

I once broke my right index finger. Until it healed, I held the pick with the thumb and middle - the splint was taped to the back of my hand, so I couldn't hold a pick with the index at all. When I later learned tapping, that grip seemed very natural. The stuff I play rarely uses tapping though, so I end up only using that grip when I'm teaching it.

I'm not a professinal either, but mt wife is, so I slept on the couch in the basement last night.

I hold the pick with my thumb only, no fingers, just the thumb. One thumb. One hand. Nope, no fingers, just the thumb. Uh-huh, just thumb. All thumb here. No Fingers needed. None. (Well, perhaps I do use my index finger occassionally, just to help out that lone thumb a little. :wink: ).

I see no harm in using three as long as it allows you to perform all of the skills you want to. Do what works for you.