A plectrum, usually referred to as a pick, can be used for any style of music and any type of guitar, but in particular electric guitar players and lead guitar players love the guitar pick. Although there are always exceptions. That being said, most electric guitar players use the guitar pick..
Also question is, is it OK to play guitar without a pick?
Yes, you can make do without a pick if that is your preference. Use or non-use of a pick (or plectrum) tends to vary by musical style. Flat picks are not used in classical guitar playing (to my knowledge), nor are they used in fingerstyle playing, for example (although fingerstyle guitar players may use a thumb pick).
Beside above, is it better to strum with or without a pick? if you use a pick sometimes it can be too loud to sing over, also if you use your thumb you can get more of a smother sound sometimes, and each string blends together better. also if your fingerpicking without fingerpicks then you want to strum without a pick so that the volume of both parts matches.
Also to know, should you play guitar with a pick?
Playing with a pick (or plectrum) is especially useful when playing lots of notes fast. Rock and metal riffs and solos are usually played using a pick. Strumming chords on a steel string guitar tends to be richer with a pick, and you get a louder volume in general.
Can you strum with finger picks?
If your thumb pick causes a lot of string noise, particularly with your low E string, you should switch to using at least a coated thumb pick. Finger picks cannot strum as aggressively as flat picks, but you can get a lot of sound with even light pressure from your picks.
Related Question Answers
Can you strum a guitar without a pick?
Fingernail Thumbnail Strumming For the next technique for strumming without a pick you are going to again put your 1st finger and thumb together like you are holding a pick. Then you will use your 1st finger fingernail to strum down, and your thumbnail to strum up.How long does it take to learn guitar?
How long does it take to learn guitar: Your first 6 to 18 months. After six months, you should start to feel comfortable and know your way around a guitar. You might not be busting out amazing solos quite yet, but you've mastered the basic chords and you feel comfortable playing.When should you throw away a guitar pick?
Depending on what style of music you are playing and your individual technique, your guitar pick can become worn out after only a few hours of playing (or instantly if you are into heavy metal pick scrapes or wild tremolo picking).Should I play guitar with pick or fingers?
Using a pick gives you a brighter and more consistent tone than using your fingers, because the pick is made of the same material throughout, while plucking strings with different parts of your fingers produces different sounds.Can you strum a guitar with your fingers?
How to Strum a Guitar With Your Fingers. Strumming with your fingers can be a valuable technique. Using your fingers gives you more flexibility to get different sounds. There's a wide variety of sounds you can get depending on whether you're hitting with the fleshy part of your fingers, your thumb or your nail.Are guitar calluses bad?
Calluses that have developed from playing the guitar are not bad. In fact, calluses are an asset for guitarists. However, the process itself for developing calluses can bring soreness, and discomfort to the fingers.Can you strum guitar with your thumb?
When strumming with your thumb, you can choose to keep your fingers open and strum from your elbow, similarly to how you would when strumming with a pick. Alternatively, you can anchor your fingers on the guitar and strum using your thumb more independently of the arm.Is fingerpicking harder than strumming?
No. Strumming is actually a lot easier than fingerstyle. When you're strumming you're just holding a chord and playing all the notes. You could easily pick two notes simultaneously but not depending on one another (like strumming).Is fingerstyle guitar hard?
Fingerstyle guitar is not hard. It is an adventure. Fingerstyle playing is not limited to acoustic guitars. Some top-flight players have moved beyond the need for guitar picks because they can get more music from using three fingers and the thumb of the right hand.How long does it take to learn fingerstyle guitar?
10,000 hours
Does Eric Clapton use a pick?
Eric Clapton uses heavy picks supplied to him by Ernie Ball, a manufacturer of guitar strings, picks and related items.Which guitar pick is best for beginners?
Pick #1 – Strumming Songs If you like to strum an acoustic guitar, go for the lighter one – 0.46 is the most popular for most beginner guitarists that I teach. They sound rich, have a lovely `zing` across the strings, and are thin, therefore easy to control.Can I use a pick on nylon strings?
Most people who play a nylon-string guitar use it to play classical music, or maybe acoustic fingerstyle jazz or folk, pick with their fingers, and don't use picks. Picks are not designed for nylon strings on a classical guitar.Do you need a guitar pick to play an acoustic?
Anybody who plays the steel string guitar, whether the electric guitar or the acoustic guitar, should play with a pick from the beginning. Picks are useful for playing lead guitar and melodic (single-note) passages as they allow the player to attack the notes more dexterously than with plain fingers.Do jazz guitarists use picks?
When I play country, I usually have a pick, and chicken pick when I need to play two separate strings. I've watched a couple videos, and it seems most jazz guitarist use a thumb pick, or just finger pick when necessary. I use a small, medium thick, jazz pick for single notes.Should I play bass with a pick or fingers?
Strumming chords is more effective with a pick. That doesn't often happen on bass. The flesh of fingers gives a better sound on bass, as often it's a smoother sound that's required. If it needs to be punchier, there's always the option to slap and pop.Why does my strumming sound bad?
Re: My strumming sounds terrible. Try using a thinner pick, for starters. Also, make sure you are angling the pick so that it isn't exactly 90 degrees to the strings. You can either hold the pick loosely and let the force of the strings change the angle of the pick, or you can angle it yourself.Can't strum with a pick?
One problem with controlling the pick while strumming is the strings push back on the pick. A thinner pick will have more give to it and you won't get so much resistance from the strings. It won't have as much attack, but you'll control it better. Over time, you can work your way up to a thicker pick.Why is a plectrum called a plectrum?
First attested in English 15th century, the word "plectrum" comes from Latin plectrum, itself derived from Greek πλ?κτρον (plēktron), "anything to strike with, an instrument for striking the lyre, a spear point". "Plectrum" has both a Latin-based plural, plectra and a native English plural, plectrums. 
