3 finger pick grip

[jzucker]

3 finger pick grip


Some of you know that I have had 2 spinal surgeries in the last 20 years. The most recent one was in May 2023 between the two, I'm left me with some nerve damage and cannot hold the pick the same way I used to. Additionally, I permanently lost the nerve connection in my right bicep so I'm unable to pick from the wrist which I did for 30+ years.


One thing I have done is to put sandpaper on the pick so I can hold it better. I use stairway grip-tape. The other thing I have experimented with is gripping the pick with 3 fingers (index, middle, thumb). In this video I'm going to let you hear what that sounds like because gripping with 3 fingers yields a much more positive pick/string connection and better sound and arguably a better feel. I'm still 100% comfortable with the 3 finger approach but I think it will be a very useful technique and it's worth experimenting with, even if you don't have an injury like I do.


This is an original tune of mine called waltz for mike, written for Mike Imlay who was a big allman brothers fan and it's sort of a jazz version of Hot Lanta. The chords are:


| Gm7 | Am7 | BbMaj7 | Am7 | Gm7 | Am7 | BbMaj7 | G7Alt |
| Cm7 | % | F7b9 | % | BbMaj7 | % | EbMaj7 | % |
| D7Alt | % | Db7 Alt | % | C7 Alt | % | B7 Alt | % |
| Gm7 | Am7 | BbMaj7 | Am7 | Gm7 | % | Am7b5 | D7Alt |

#sheetsofsound #3fingergrip #pickgrip
#spinalinjury
#jazzguitarlessons #guitarlessons
#jazzguitar #modernjazzguitar #jazzguitarriffs
#ibanezbenson #ibanezarchtop

[Old Nick]

I've had spinal injuries with nerve damage..I grip the same way, 3 finger. Sadly, it doesn't make me play with the same beauty as you..

[AllanAllen]

A different 3 finger grip has been my standard grip. I change if I go to hybrid picking.

[jzucker]

I've had spinal injuries with nerve damage..I grip the same way, 3 finger. Sadly, it doesn't make me play with the same beauty as you..

Thanks and best of luck to you. I appreciate hearing from someone else who struggles with this...

[charlieparker]

3 finger pick grip


Some of you know that I have had 2 spinal surgeries in the last 20 years. The most recent one was in May 2023 between the two, I'm left me with some nerve damage and cannot hold the pick the same way I used to. Additionally, I permanently lost the nerve connection in my right bicep so I'm unable to pick from the wrist which I did for 30+ years.


One thing I have done is to put sandpaper on the pick so I can hold it better. I use stairway grip-tape. The other thing I have experimented with is gripping the pick with 3 fingers (index, middle, thumb). In this video I'm going to let you hear what that sounds like because gripping with 3 fingers yields a much more positive pick/string connection and better sound and arguably a better feel. I'm still 100% comfortable with the 3 finger approach but I think it will be a very useful technique and it's worth experimenting with, even if you don't have an injury like I do.


This is an original tune of mine called waltz for mike, written for Mike Imlay who was a big allman brothers fan and it's sort of a jazz version of Hot Lanta. The chords are:


| Gm7 | Am7 | BbMaj7 | Am7 | Gm7 | Am7 | BbMaj7 | G7Alt |
| Cm7 | % | F7b9 | % | BbMaj7 | % | EbMaj7 | % |
| D7Alt | % | Db7 Alt | % | C7 Alt | % | B7 Alt | % |
| Gm7 | Am7 | BbMaj7 | Am7 | Gm7 | % | Am7b5 | D7Alt |

#sheetsofsound #3fingergrip #pickgrip
#spinalinjury
#jazzguitarlessons #guitarlessons
#jazzguitar #modernjazzguitar #jazzguitarriffs
#ibanezbenson #ibanezarchtop

Jack, were the spinal injuries guitar related? I've always felt that playing guitar takes a toll on my body.

[jzucker]

Jack, were the spinal injuries guitar related? I've always felt that playing guitar takes a toll on my body.

No, they were degenerative. My mom also had spinal issues

[Cunamara]

IIRC Pat Metheny uses thumb, index and middle to hold his pick. I'm vaguely recalling it is a light gauge pick that he also flexes between his fingers.

[Mick-7]

I was skeptical about these but they were inexpensive so I ordered them, they have made it easier to hold a pick without having to grip it firmly.

You just peel off the paper covering the cork gaskets sticky backing and place it on your favorite pick, but be careful how you apply it because you can't move it without damaging it once it's on. -- Non-Grip Guitar Pick Cork Gaskets - Walmart.com

[alltunes]

As a aside…Jerry Garcia used a three finger grip…according to a Guitar Player interview with Jerry Howard Robert’s called that type of three finger grip the “scalpel technique”.


After Mike Stern”s accident he uses wig glue to keep a grip on the pick.

[jazzchrome]

I understand what you went through. You play beautifully!