Help with finger pick getting caught on the strings

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 13 Mar 2018 7:28 am

since adding a 3rd finger pick, I've noticed that occasionally the pick will get caught on the strings. Any one have any tips on preventing that from happening?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 13 Mar 2018 7:32 am

Eliminate the 3rd finger pick.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 13 Mar 2018 8:26 am

Not an option Erv.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 13 Mar 2018 9:07 am

Is it the part that connects across the finger?

It happened to me quite a few times in live performances years ago. Totally embarrassing and debilitating, because the pick would come off and either shoot across the room or get stuck on the string.

My solution was to make sure the bands were properly connected (super important that your picks are properly shaped/formed) and to not dig down as deeply into the strings. Also, pay attention to the positioning of your hand and which part of the pick is making contact with the strings. Play a little lighter, too.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 13 Mar 2018 9:25 am

Mike, I'm using propiks with the double band. Yeah, it gets caught on the band that wraps around the finger.

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 13 Mar 2018 9:28 am

Could also be a function of how you hold your hand/fingers when you pick.

If you do a lot of palm blocking (karate chop style), that would put your ring finger closest to the strings and if your ring finger is really low it could snag......OR....if you hold your fingers in a tight-ish claw, there are opportunities to snag your pick either on the part near the cuticles or the actual pick part.

Just some thoughts.....good luck with it and let us know what you come up with that works!

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 13 Mar 2018 9:59 am

I gave all those double band propicks away long ago, same problem. Go back to single band. I used National NP2 for a long time, but just discovered Sammy Shelor finger picks - they grab a little higher on the finger, are really comfortable, and sound more solid. don't know if that is because of the way it grabs and transfers the pick motion, or what it is made of.

Yeah, $35 a pair is a lot...but at 1% of what you spent on the instrument, it is the contact between you and the instrument, and is worth 1% for sure! Same is true of the $40 Blue Chip thumb pick. In fact, you can get both at the Blue Chip site...and Matthew is really great to deal with.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 13 Mar 2018 10:22 am

Jerry Byrd said that he had the finger picks bent around close to his finger tips, which I would think could keep them from getting caught in a string. I haven't done that myself, so no experience there..

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 13 Mar 2018 10:24 am

Bill,
That's the way I wear mine.
Erv

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 13 Mar 2018 10:33 am

Bill is talking about the band getting caught, not the pick - on the double band picks, the lower band is very close to the strings...

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 13 Mar 2018 11:09 am

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 13 Mar 2018 11:12 am

As steve said, it is the second band of the propik that gets caught on the strings. Not the tip of the picks

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 13 Mar 2018 12:52 pm

My solution to this problem, and the band/bands digging into your finger is "Shrink Wrap"
I will try to explain as best I can, buy a piece of Shrink Wrap tubing (usually Black, but comes in colours)the stuff Electricians use to insulate terminal ends of cables, it comes in various diameters. Cut a piece about one inch long, slip one end over one clip and the other end over the other clip, using your cigarette lighter apply heart to the tube and shrink it onto the Fingerpick. No more clicking or biting into your finger.

You can see it here on my middle finger at the end of this Video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsPQxc59ric&t=4s

or this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTmg9o1UXOo

James.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 13 Mar 2018 1:18 pm

I use 3 finger picks, and I agree: lose the double-band version. I like and use Pro Piks, but I found the double-band awkward and prone to more issues like you're experiencing. I find the single-band Pro Piks pretty comfortable - maybe the double-band have a slight comfort edge, but not enough better to fight with them. I also find the single-band stay on better.

I also use Dunlops sometimes - generally .020 to .025 - and haven't had that problem with them either.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 13 Mar 2018 1:52 pm

Yeah, try going back to a traditional pick. Once you get used to making them fit your fingers perfectly, you’ll be fine.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 13 Mar 2018 3:09 pm

Go bold... superglue? Commitment...

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 14 Mar 2018 5:00 pm

I tried various types of picks over the years, have a box full of them !, but ended up using some Dunlops that I've had for years.

Patrick Ickes · Post by **Patrick Ickes** » 14 Mar 2018 7:10 pm

I've tried most, and been pickin for 43 years. Found Propicks to be the most comfortable and secure, but problematic with that short second tab. Also tone wasn't very good.
I recommend for fit and tone, in no particular order, Showcase 41s, BP Cobalt, and Sammy Shelor.
Ditch the Propicks for many reasons.

Patrick