5 Reasons Why Your Guitar Pick Sounds Bad

Learning to play guitar might start with finger positions and basic chord memorization, but choosing the right pick is also a crucial part of the process. However, understanding why your guitar pick sounds terrible isn’t something that’s covered in most beginner-level guitar courses.

Here are 5 reasons why your guitar pick sounds bad:

You’re holding the pick at an awkward angle.
It’s time to practice your pick technique.
You’re squeezing the guitar pick too tightly.
You’re not using the correct type of pick.
The guitar is out of tune.

Let’s explore these reasons in greater detail to ensure that every strum with your guitar pick produces the sound you’re listening for.

1. You’re Holding the Pick at an Awkward Angle

Holding your guitar pick at an awkward angle (either completely flat or at a steep slope) while picking or strumming can produce unwanted twangs and buzzes. This issue is common, especially among players learning to use a pick.

Fortunately, adjusting your hand position and pick angle can resolve this problem, helping your guitar pick sound far better than before. Still, if you’re new to using a guitar pick, learning to hold it while strumming or picking can take practice.

How To Hold Your Guitar Pick Correctly

Many beginner-level (and intermediate) guitar players hold their pick at a sharp up-and-down angle or entirely horizontal with the strings. The reason behind these positions is the belief that they can offer more leverage when striking a string.

Your pick should be almost horizontal while playing, with the broader end tilted slightly downward and the tapered end pointed ever so slightly upward. Pushing downward on the pick with your thumb is an excellent way to achieve a proper angle, but you may need to practice this hold to get it just right.

Unsure where to start? You might want to check out a video walkthrough to help you achieve the ideal pick angle. Here’s a top-notch instructional guide to get you started:

Remember, even the best picks can produce awful sounds if you’re not holding them correctly or practicing your picking technique. With this in mind, you’ll want to consider studying proper pick-holding methods and picking techniques if your guitar pick sounds bad.

2. It’s Time To Practice Your Pick Technique

Naturally, guitar picks don’t emit sounds like a guitar does. So, when your playing doesn’t sound quite right while using a pick, the culprit could be your picking technique.

While this isn’t accurate 100% of the time, practicing your technique could correct any unwanted sounds emanating from your guitar while you’re playing with a pick. Fortunately, there are tons of online courses that can help you improve the way you handle and use your guitar pick.

Pick Technique Courses To Improve Your Skills

If you’re actively taking in-person guitar lessons, you can ask your instructor to teach you proper pick handling and pick techniques. But if you’re learning independently from home, an online video-based course is the best course of action.

Now, you have quite a few options when it comes to practicing your technique.

For example, if you’d like to start immediately, you can watch free video guides on YouTube. One of the better free-to-watch instructional videos available on this platform is from

YGSGuitarLessons:

Still, some students may benefit from a more in-depth guide to picking techniques. If this applies to you, consider enrolling in an online course that includes exercises.

An excellent option is The 3 Key Elements of Perfect Guitar Picking, a Udemy course that can introduce you to pick types, proper pick holding, and the difference between attacks and accents. This class also includes playing exercises, allowing you to master your technique.

After studying and practicing, you may find that your guitar picking sounds significantly better, making each play session far more enjoyable.

Of course, technique can only take you so far. If you’re clenching up on the pick each time you sit down to play, your guitar pick migh