Why the Pick Catches on the Strings and How to Fix It

Why the pick catches on the strings

Usually several causes act at once:

• The pick travels flat, parallel to the string, so the string meets the whole surface.
• It goes in too deep past the string, and on the way back you have to pull it out.
• The grip is too tight: the pick cannot rotate slightly and slide over the string.
• The pick is too soft and thin so it bends and sticks, or it is slippery with a worn edge.

Turn the pick edge toward the string

Hold the pick not exactly perpendicular to the string but at a small angle: edge first, like a blade. Then the string slides off the edge instead of pushing against the flat. The angle is small, a slight turn of the hand is enough.

More about grip in how to hold a pick.

Reduce the depth and loosen the grip

Only a small tip of the pick should stick out of your fingers, about 2-3 millimetres, and that is enough to catch the string. The less the pick goes past the string, the less chance to catch. Hold it so it does not fall out but can turn slightly on impact. This matters most for strumming across all strings.

An exercise with a metronome

Set a slow metronome and play one open string with alternate picking: down on every click, then down-up on eighth notes. Make sure the pick slides and does not catch. Raise the tempo only when the sound is even.

What else to check

If the pick still catches, check a few more small things:

• Try a stiffer pick or one with a non-slip surface: the difference is immediate.
• Check the edge: if it is rough or has burrs, the pick catches. Replace it or smooth it lightly.
• Relax the wrist: a tense hand catches the strings more often.
• Play slowly: at speed an angle mistake gets worse.

What to read next

For speed and evenness: alternate picking and downpicking. For metronome work see this article about the metronome.