How to Use a Thumb Pick for Classical Guitar

The thumb pick is a staple of classical guitar playing. It allows the player a greater sonic range for bass notes; instead of attacking the string with the flesh of the thumb, which makes a round, dark sound, the player uses a pick attached to the thumb for increased attack and a brighter and more trebly sound. It also affords the player a chance to practice hybrid picking, a versatile technique used in nearly every kind of popular music.

Instructions

1. Find the pick that is right for you. The two key elements here are gauge and size. Thin picks attack the string weakly, while thicker picks resist the tension of the string more, thereby making the strings sound louder. As for size, choose a pick that fits on your thumb comfortably.

2. Place the pick on your thumb. Your thumb pick has two parts: The first has the traditional triangular shape of a pick; the second loops around the thumbnail to hold the pick onto the thumb. Make sure the pick rests on the fleshy part of the thumb, not on the fingernail side.

3. Adjust the pick to suit your technique. Play the guitar's open E string repeatedly until you are comfortable with how the tip of the pick is attacking the string.

4. Fret an open E chord and play the strings in the following pattern with the fingers specified. This technique can be applied to any chord that uses all six guitar strings.
   Low E string: thumb
   High E string: ring finger
   A string: thumb
   High E string: ring finger
   D string: thumb
   High E string: ring finger
   A string: thumb
   High E string: ring finger
   Low E string: thumb

Tips & Warnings

• This is a basic introduction to the use of the thumb pick and to the hybrid picking the thumb pick makes so accessible. Classical guitarists have been using thumb picks for hundreds of years in supremely creative ways. Practice and experimentation with chords and patterns as in Step 4 will improve both your technique and your tone.