Guitar Technique: Slanting The Pick

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is meant by "slanting" the pick, as described in The Principles. These pictures should clarify the issue.

The reasons for slanting the pick are as follow:

You get a better, "rounder" tone. Slanting the pick causes a different set of harmonics to be emphasized, and present in the sound. The exact combination of harmonics present in a sound are what give it its "tone".

It helps with speed. You "slice" through the string, and it offers less resistance.

Here the pick is resting flat on the string. Not recommended. The tone will be bad, clangy and harsh. The resistance of the string to the pick will be greater, especially if too much of the pick is into the string.
Here the pick is slanted toward the neck of the guitar, to the left, at about 45 degrees.
Tip of pick on string, with slant. As a general rule, don't put more of the pick into the string than this.
Straight on view.
The same principle applies to fingerstyle. The finger is slanted so that the left side of the tip contacts the string. In general, the finger contacts the string at the point where flesh and nail meet. Here, the finger is positioned for a rest stroke.

Fundamental aspects of technique, illustrated using classic songs you know and love (according to The Principles, of course!)

Powerful Secrets! to improve your playing!

Important info on reaching with the index or pinky, and its relation to arm position.

These are essential, and basic, techniques for the rock guitarist. Many people do them wrong, find out if you are one of them!

The classical and casual positions with electric, acoustic, and classical guitars.

There are always lots of questions about how to apply The Principles to a standing position. Here are pictures of me standing with an electric, and using different strap lengths.

Pictures of good left hand positions for various playing situations.

Video clips of the Walking Exercises from "The Principles".

Video clip of Foundation Exercise # 10, The 6 note Arpeggio".

See the proper form of this difficult chord.

There is much confusion as to the "correct" left hand position for guitar. That is because there is no such thing as THE correct left hand position for guitar!

Find out why you need to have those distal joints in shape for this chord, and also why you don't!

In 30 years of teaching, I have rarely (perhaps never) seen a left hand that wasn't crippled with bad form in one way or another, especially when it comes to doing major scales. This workshop student was no exception......

A common error in technique for students, and contributing factor to a lot of playing problems.

What does good tone and bad tone on an acoustic guitar sound like anyway?

Often, we must squeeze our fingers into some rather unaccommodating positions on the guitar. We know we are supposed to strive to get our fingers "right behind the fret" as we play, but, like so many things in life, we have to bend the rules sometimes (it ain't a perfect world!).


Spread the Guitar Principles message - you CAN be a great guitarist!