Difficulty holding plectrums due to fingers sweating

CoolCat · December 2021

Not sure if this is the correct section to post in, so here goes.

Due to my fingers sweating when I'm strumming etc, I have difficulty holding the plectrum and as a result the plectrum moves out of position or falls away from my fingers.

I've tried using a thumb pick but that is a lost cause.

Does anyone have any ideas or tricks they can share with me to overcome this as it is very frustrating.

CountryDave · December 2021

I use a hole punch through the middle of my plectrums.
Another thing I’ve seen is in an old, behind the scenes with Quo video, Rick Parfitt’s guitar tech using a hammer and bradawl to put 4 impressions in his plectrums.

hollywoodrox · December 2021

I’ve been using these for about 6 years Kirk Hammett Jazz III

lovestrat74 · December 2021

Jeff Beck-it and throw away your plectrums

axisus · December 2021

I could never hold plecs for strumming, always dropping them or misholding them. I changed to no plec at all (many years ago), and much prefer the feel without.

lysander · December 2021

Dunlop flow ultex in thin gauges ( 0.88 and under ) are grippy with their embossed letters.
I also have problem with tortex picks slipping when playing rhythm guitar even though my hands don’t sweat.

BillDL · December 2021

They used to sell a product named Gorilla Snot for this very purpose. You can simulate the sticky effect by applying a smear of a "rubber" type glue that doesn't dry hard, stays a tiny bit tacky, and can be rubbed off with your thumb if you don't like it or when it loses its stickiness. I have used little squares of thin double-sided tape as well. Peel one side and stick onto pick, peel off upper covering and you have a sticky area. That is harder to peel off and gathers all the cat hair, navel fluff and other detritus around the place and you would end up with a woolly pick. This approach is a lot better than roughening up the pads of your fingers with a rasp

Another alternative might be to check out this combined thumb pick and flat plectrum from Strings Direct (a member here):

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/picks-plectrums-c50/thumb-picks-c409/herco-flat-thumb-pick-light-3-pack-p13254

tekbow · December 2021

How long have you been playing and how much do you focus on picking technique?

CoolCat · December 2021

Thank you all for your comments - much appreciated.
I will definitely look into your suggestions.

@ tekbow - I've been playing for a good few years however, I don't do a lot in the way of picking, mainly strumming.

Roland · December 2021

1. Talcum powder to dry out sweaty fingers.
2. Drill holes in your plectrums.

tekbow · December 2021

CoolCat said:

Thank you all for your comments - much appreciated.
I will definitely look into your suggestions.

@ tekbow - I've been playing for a good few years however, I don't do a lot in the way of picking, mainly strumming.

Ok, cheers.

So I'm no expert in picking, but picking is something I've put a lot of work into in recent years and I've picked up a couple tips, pun not intended.

I had the problem of sweaty fingers and grippy picks solved it to an extent (I use chicken picks btw, still experienced slippy picks though ) but I suddenly realised about 6 months ago I wasn't having issues with the pick slipping/turning away from my strings anymore.

And I think what happened was that the more dexterous I became with the pick, the less tightly I was holding the pick, and my fingers weren't getting slippy Either.

It really just pivots up and down like a seesaw now, which incidentally does wonders for speed and note sustain BTW.

Just a thought to contemplate.

AK99 · December 2021

Have a word with this chap..should be able to help..

Solved the sweating issue a long time ago..allegedly

lysander · December 2021

Just to offer an alternative opinion on gorilla snot - I don’t find it works great for me, it’s either too sticky or not enough, depending how much you put on and how much you warm it. Not much of a sweet spot.
Also sticky is not the same thing as grippy.
Worth a shot though given it’s inexpensive.

Power-Beef · December 2021

Ibanez makes some that are pre-coated with a "grippy" substance but they are not cheap. And they are also very chunky.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324442149020?hash=item4b8a42509c:g:cMsAAOSwT4xf8-p8

Alternatively, would anti-perspirant on your fingertips be worth a try? That SURE advert from a long time ago (about 20 years?) seem to promote that idea!

JAYJO · December 2021

Try the old type sticking plaster. Just wrap around the plec using the sticking part only etc.

EricTheWeary · December 2021

Came here for the Prince Andrew jokes and was not disappointed.

Probably just trying different plectrums and finding ones with a textured surface.

When I was gigging I'd grip plectrums so hard they would become slightly concave. So after a while they had a right and wrong way around. But that helped quite a lot with stopping slipping and my worn picks were better for playing.

wrinkleygit · December 2021

Had the same problem many years ago and went down the drilling plectrums route, however , the game changer for me was discovering “V Pics” long term favourite is the Euro 11, followed by the Jalapeño, believe Maddisonandfifth are still the Uk distributor. They’re made from some sort of acrylic that becomes stickier the hotter you’re fingers get, rarely lose my grip on them.

jaymenon · December 2021

These work really well

https://www.monstergrips.com

Shrews · December 2021

Squash in a bit of blu-tac at the top of each pick. Even a small amount on both sides will be enough to stop your fingers sliding.

Don't put it too low down or it will catch on the strings.

Gorilla snot does work but takes 15 minutes or so until it become fully effective. Then its a bugger to get off.

Not tried drilling holes, but will. That looks like a good idea.

Have tried many different varieties with grips but none work that well.

HAL9000 · December 2021

Ditch the pick. I did. Puts me in the same illustrious group as Wilko Johnson, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, Hubert Sumlin, Derek Trucks, George Thorogood, Steve Hackett, Lindsey Buckingham, Stanley Jordan, etc.

FunkyGibbon · December 2021

I use Snarling Dog Brain Picks which I bought via eBay &/or Amazon. They have c.200 tiny points on both grip surfaces. I’ve never dropped one and only once in the last few years has one been swallowed by the guitar. They come in a range of different weights. Previously I’d always used Dunlop picks.

I use 0.6mm, @CoolCat if you would like one drop me a PM with your address. and I’ll put one in the post.

CoolCat · December 2021

Thank you to all for your comments and suggestions - much appreciated.

@ FunkyGibbon - have PM'd you.

Zoolooter · December 2021

A bit of climbers chalk on your finger tips should do the trick.

https://rockrun.com/products/moon-dust-climbing-chalk-300g?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Paid&utm_campaign=CPC&variant=864791724040&sfdr_ptcid=8795_100_177193980&sfdr_hash=eda303df59a66df9480705548d0a1ee7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxoTDiN3t9AIVD893Ch1WagJaEAQYASABEgKXFPD_BwE

Mellish · December 2021

I had this annoying problem when I started playing guitar in 1960. I largely solved it by drilling holes, or you can buy flatpicks that already have holes and Wegen springs to mind. But Moon Dust? I'm going to have to try that, it sounds way cool

Mellish · December 2021

Liquid Chalk is another product you can use to dry your hands (often used by drummers to hold on to the sticks). And if a pick falls into the soundhole take a pencil, put some blu-tak on the blunt end, get the pick where you can see it and stab it with your homemade pick remover

onehappybunny · December 2021

Another option here... https://www.zenfirepicks.com/ Based in USA but will post for free to UK (std mail). I've order a couple of picks to try out, but not arrived yet

guitarjack66 · December 2021

I find Prime Tone picks are helpful for grip. My fingers get very dry but the bumpy surface helps.

Hootsmon · December 2021

John Mclaughlin and Jeff beck have been known to use Baby powder in a live situation......i use the oil but but not on my pick

greejn · December 2021

I use V-picks (USA) - I think the theory is that the material gets more tacky as it warms up. Great in any case.

CoolCat · December 2021

Update: FunkyGibbon very kindly sent one of his plectrums (Snarling Dog Brain) to try out and it is a vast improvement on the ones I was using. With the extra tiny points on both surfaces has aided me having a better grip - so thanks Funky Gibbon, much appreciated.

Thank you for all your suggestions and I will be looking into them as well.

FunkyGibbon · January 2022

Great to hear it worked for you. You’re most welcome.

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Difficulty holding plectrums due to fingers sweating

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