A guitar pick influences tone and playability. When a traditional pick is unavailable, or a musician seeks a different sonic texture, exploring alternatives encourages creativity and resourcefulness, allowing for continued playing or new sonic experimentation.
Readily Available Household Items
Many common household items can serve as improvised guitar picks. Old credit or gift cards are popular choices. Their plastic material offers flexibility similar to standard picks, and their rounded corners can be used for strumming or picking. At about 0.76mm thick, they provide a familiar feel.
Coins are another option, famously used by guitarists like Brian May and Billy Gibbons. They produce a bright, percussive sound. Softer metal coins, like brass or aluminum, might be less abrasive than harder ones, but their rigidity can still affect strings.
Plastic lids from yogurt cups or coffee containers offer varying flexibility and can be cut to shape. A coffee lid can mimic a medium-thickness pick. Thick cardboard or business cards provide a softer attack; multiple layers can be glued for rigidity. Old CDs or DVDs are usable but crack easily and require significant edge smoothing. Heavy-duty plastic packaging, like from electronics, also provides durable, flexible material.
Fingernails are a natural alternative, especially for fingerstyle guitarists. They offer distinct articulation and a broad dynamic range for a unique tonal palette. This method requires careful grooming, as nails can chip or break, particularly on steel-string guitars.
Crafting Improvised Picks
Common materials can be modified to create functional guitar picks. Options include old plastic cards (expired credit cards, hotel keys, ID cards), plastic sheets from rulers or containers, and even segments of plastic baskets.
The crafting process involves tracing a desired pick shape onto the material, often using an existing pick as a template. Cut precisely with scissors. Smoothing the edges is crucial for comfortable playability and to prevent string or finger damage.
Use a nail file, emery board, or fine-grit sandpaper (200-1000 grit) to remove burrs or sharp points. Rounding edges prevents snagging. Experiment with material thicknesses and flexibilities to tailor the pick to your preference.
Materials to Avoid and Instrument Care
While improvising offers flexibility, avoid certain materials to prevent instrument damage or injury. Extremely sharp objects pose an obvious risk. Highly abrasive materials, like sandpaper, can damage strings and the guitar’s finish.
Rigid metal objects, including coins or metal picks with sharp edges, significantly accelerate string wear and can scratch or dent the guitar’s body, especially without a pickguard. Even softer metals like brass or aluminum contribute to increased string wear due to their rigidity. Stone or glass are not recommended; their hardness and potential for chipping can severely damage strings and the instrument’s finish. Avoid any item that could leave sticky or dirty residue on strings or the fretboard.
To maintain instrument health with non-traditional picks, regularly inspect them for rough or sharp edges. Aggressive playing with harder materials increases damage risk to strings and finish. Washing hands before playing and wiping down the guitar afterwards prevents dirt and oil transfer, extending string life and preserving the finish. Hard or abrasive picks can considerably shorten string lifespan.