Why can’t I use my thumb?

Many guitar players ask this question when they are just getting started.

It is difficult for many beginner guitar players to use a pick. It is uncomfortable to hold and always seems to fall out of their hand. Losing your pick is even more frustrating if you play acoustic guitar because it always seems to fall into the soundhole.

Many beginners will mention other players who do not use a pick. Jeff Beck and Alan Morse (Spock’s Beard) are great players who play with their thumbs. Brian Setzer and Warren Haynes will switch between using their thumb and a pick. They see these famous players not using a pick and think, why can’t I use my thumb?

Just because you see a few notable players doing something does not mean it is the best technique for beginners to learn.

Playing with your thumb is a very limiting technique. Even though it may seem more manageable when you start, it will hurt your playing in the long run.

Hides Mistakes

You want to be able to hear the wrong notes.

Using your thumb to play notes gives everything a muted or muffled sound, which masks bad technique and hides mistakes.

A pick will bring out the sound of every note, letting you hear everything, good and bad. Bad sounds enable you to know what needs work. Being able to hear the flaws in your technique is imperative.

Plus, players who only play with their thumb tend to have lousy technique, which prevents them from playing more advanced things. Having bad technique leads to unnecessary frustration and eventually leaves you feeling stuck.

Dynamic Range
When you use a pick, you have a very wide dynamic range. It is easy to play brash and loud or tender and soft.

In contrast, the thumb gives you a minimal dynamic range.

Players who choose to play with their thumb tend to have difficulty hearing themselves when they play with others. Their playing is always much quieter than everyone else.

Limited Techniques

Only playing your guitar with your thumb will make it so there are many things you can not play.

• Switching between strumming and arpeggiating chords is easier when you use a pick.
• Advanced techniques like alternate, sweep, and directional picking require a pick.
• Anything beyond basic strumming becomes more difficult if you do not use a pick.

The Best Way to Start

Using a pick is something everyone should know how to do.

It may be uncomfortable at first, but you will be a much better guitar player if you learn how to use a pick from the beginning.

It is easy to learn how to use your thumb after you have learned how to use a pick. The players you see switching between a pick and their thumb do this because they like the contrast of the two sounds.

Unfortunately, the opposite is not true. Players who have only used their thumb have difficulty learning to use a pick.

Set yourself up for success. Learn with a pick from the very beginning.

Once you are used to using a pick, you can explore other techniques because you already have built a solid foundation.

About the author: Brian Fish is a professional guitarist living in Northeast Ohio and is an expert guitar instructor at Guitar Lessons Geauga.