Guitar Picks (Plectrums)

A pick (or plectrum) is the small piece of plastic, nylon, or other material that many guitarists use to strike the strings instead of their bare fingers. Picks vary along a few key dimensions — shape, size, material, and thickness — and each of these changes how a note feels and sounds. Thickness is usually the most noticeable variable: thin picks (roughly 0.40–0.60mm) flex easily and give a brighter, softer attack well suited to strumming, while heavy picks (roughly 0.80–1.2mm and up) are stiffer, giving more control and a fuller, punchier tone favored for lead playing and precise picking.

Types

• Thin (0.40–0.60mm) — flexible, bright, easy strumming, common for beginners and acoustic rhythm playing.
• Medium (0.60–0.80mm) — a versatile middle ground usable for both strumming and basic lead playing.
• Heavy (0.80–1.2mm+) — stiff and precise, favored for lead guitar, fast picking, and heavier genres.
• Shape variants — the standard rounded triangle is most common, but jazz-style smaller picks, larger "sharkfin" shapes, and specialty materials like tortoiseshell-style celluloid or stone all offer different feel and attack.

How to use it

1. Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger, with only a small triangle of the tip exposed beyond your fingers.
2. Angle the pick very slightly rather than perfectly flat against the strings for smoother, less "clicky" strumming and picking.
3. Experiment with a few thicknesses early on — what feels natural varies a lot from player to player and by playing style.

Care

Picks are cheap and wear down or crack over time, especially at the tip; replace them regularly rather than fighting a worn edge. Keep a few spares in your gig bag or case, since they're easy to lose.