Asked/Answered: Does Your Pick Influence How Fast You Can Play?

QUESTION:

Reddit user forgotmyuserbame recently posted on the r/guitar Ask Us Anything: Does the type of pick you use have anything to do with how fast you can play?

ANSWER:

While “forgot” noted that practice is probably the most important factor in playing speed, there could be something to the kind of pick you're holding, according to Fender Digital Learning Manager John Dreyer.

“The answer is yes and no,” Dreyer said. “Some players who play fast tend to use a heavier pick or a jazz shape pick, as in the smaller teardrop. It’s less pick, so that allows you to have less of a pivot point with your wrist so you have to move less.”

Fender does offer smaller-sized picks in the form of the 358 and 354 plectrums. But just switching to a smaller pick doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll start shredding immediately.

“Of course, there are players who have a fast style—like Yngwie Malmsteen—who use the classic .351 shape,” Dreyer noted.

At the end of the day, your choice of plectrum could have some bearing on your ability to shred at breakneck speeds, but it's also about practice, technique and what works best for you.