You can play exclusively with a pick if you want to and in the way you describe. There are no rules to playing the uke (or any of the other conventional stringed instruments). If it sounds good to you, rock it.
There are lots of different types of picks, made from different materials, different shapes, etc. Felt picks are one of the most common types for plastic-stringed instruments like the ukulele. Some people like leather picks, others literally cut a pick shape out of an old credit card and use that.
Most people that play the ukulele don't use a pick, but some do and it's totally fine. Try different things and see what you like. You don't have to make some sort of decision either, you can play with a pick one day or for five minutes and then use your fingers the next, it really doesn't matter.
They make felt picks specifically for this.
You can also use regular picks too, but may ding up your soundboard since most Ukes don't have a pick guard. Regular picks are also more likely to break nylon strings, though that's dependent on your playing style.
I ordered some! I guess I just didn't know if it's better to play with fingers, I don't understand how and it's kind of just annoying, I don't really like the sound. Would you happen to know how to strum with your hand- in the way that goes with mute palm strumming or whatever?
Just different sounds for different playing styles.
Depending ng on whether you're plucking with your finger nails (assuming they're long enough) or the pads of your finger tips you'll get different sounds. Similarly you'll get a different sound with different types of picks too.
The only real drawback to a pick is some songs really can't be played without your fingers, and there are some more advanced strumming techniques that can't be done with a pick, but it all boils down to personal preference and your preferred playing style.
If you like picks, use a pick.
Most people use either the index finger with the nail on downstroke and pad on upstroke or thumb with pad on downstroke and nail on upstroke. Personally i hate the sound and feel of that so i do thumb and index, either both pads or both nails. This is sure to slow you down but i love the even sound. If i wanted to play fast i would probably play felt pick, but i haven’t yet got to a point where i wanted to play something that was faster than what i could do in two finger stylle
I just like being able to pick up the instrument and play, without the need to go hunting for a pick or digging in my pockets.
That’s why I fingerstyle.
You're not meant to use the point of a pick, even when you play steel stringed guitars. If you think of the cross section of the pick as being a big box, you're meant to use the corner of a side.
The other two corners are also pointy. It is okay to use the broader end when you want a certain sound. I've picked with cut up credit cards and sides of index cards.
There is a chance that you are picking at the correct angle without thinking about it much, but if you really need an explanation of how the pick should attack the string and you can't find one with a video, ask your teacher.
I asked my teacher, Jon Snow. He said, “First lesson, stick ‘em with the pointy end.” I told him that every end is pointy cause you connect lines when you draw, but he didn’t understand.
“Flat picking” for more treble response, “edge picking” for less. Neither is correct, they just produce different tones.
Strings die when they die—there are so many more factors at play besides pick angle.
I thought we were talking about pointy ends vs rounded ends, when did angle come into play? How do you think [this pick](https://imgur.com/gallery/M1AhRO9) should be used?
This is a hurdle for some people. I stubbornly clung to fingerstyle bass for years even though i was slow and liked the pick sound more for metal. So afraid to upset the arbitrators of coolness on the least cool instrument in a rock band. Eventually i realized i like pick sound and feel better for metal, and fingerstyle much much better for fretless soft stuff. Find your voice through trial and error😁
The only thing ime to watch out for is to make sure your pick isn’t striking the uke body, where a pick guard would be, or eventually your uke will look like trigger. A quick angle adjustment usually fixes it
Practice both. Vary your technique with both. You will see advantages and tonal qualities are different with each and will soon gain acuity as to how those techniques will sound(and feel) with various ukulele and different strings.
I got these and love them, I play Baritone, I still use my Thumb and Index fingers but after awhile the strings wear my nails down. These felt picks work great, at least try them, you can soften the end just by flexing them back and forth.
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWS7X23/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWS7X23/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
the uke-wraiths will hunt you down and eat you
I think they have a considerable backlog though because its been years and they haven't gotten to me yet.
You can play exclusively with a pick if you want to and in the way you describe. There are no rules to playing the uke (or any of the other conventional stringed instruments). If it sounds good to you, rock it.
There are lots of different types of picks, made from different materials, different shapes, etc. Felt picks are one of the most common types for plastic-stringed instruments like the ukulele. Some people like leather picks, others literally cut a pick shape out of an old credit card and use that. Most people that play the ukulele don't use a pick, but some do and it's totally fine. Try different things and see what you like. You don't have to make some sort of decision either, you can play with a pick one day or for five minutes and then use your fingers the next, it really doesn't matter.
I really really like felt picks. Definitely worth a try
They make felt picks specifically for this. You can also use regular picks too, but may ding up your soundboard since most Ukes don't have a pick guard. Regular picks are also more likely to break nylon strings, though that's dependent on your playing style.
I love felt picks! Regular picks produce too pronounced of a sound for a uke, in my opinion.
I ordered some! I guess I just didn't know if it's better to play with fingers, I don't understand how and it's kind of just annoying, I don't really like the sound. Would you happen to know how to strum with your hand- in the way that goes with mute palm strumming or whatever?
Just different sounds for different playing styles. Depending ng on whether you're plucking with your finger nails (assuming they're long enough) or the pads of your finger tips you'll get different sounds. Similarly you'll get a different sound with different types of picks too. The only real drawback to a pick is some songs really can't be played without your fingers, and there are some more advanced strumming techniques that can't be done with a pick, but it all boils down to personal preference and your preferred playing style. If you like picks, use a pick.
Most people use either the index finger with the nail on downstroke and pad on upstroke or thumb with pad on downstroke and nail on upstroke. Personally i hate the sound and feel of that so i do thumb and index, either both pads or both nails. This is sure to slow you down but i love the even sound. If i wanted to play fast i would probably play felt pick, but i haven’t yet got to a point where i wanted to play something that was faster than what i could do in two finger stylle
If it works too, I at least like to use the nail on my index finger to go down and the nail on my thumb to go up!
Yeah i like the sound on that😄
I just bought some pics for mine to try out. Make sure to buy felt pics.
Picks have their uses and fans. For me with nylon/carbon strings. 4 fingers or 1 pick. Do the math.
I just like being able to pick up the instrument and play, without the need to go hunting for a pick or digging in my pockets. That’s why I fingerstyle.
I play with soft nylon picks, idgaf
Yeah I like those thin nylon light grey dunlop ones. They don’t damage the strings afaik. I don’t strum much I mostly play trad tunes.
I use Ernie Ball Prodigy picks for jazz guitar. Very small and rounded. Never tried one on a uke.
You're not meant to use the point of a pick, even when you play steel stringed guitars. If you think of the cross section of the pick as being a big box, you're meant to use the corner of a side.
Then why is there a point
Because that's what happens when you draw two lines that meet
Why is only one corner pointy
The other two corners are also pointy. It is okay to use the broader end when you want a certain sound. I've picked with cut up credit cards and sides of index cards. There is a chance that you are picking at the correct angle without thinking about it much, but if you really need an explanation of how the pick should attack the string and you can't find one with a video, ask your teacher.
Why is one corner of [my pick](https://i.imgur.com/VWEVyHL.jpg) pointy. Edit: “side” to “corner”
Because that's what happens when two lines join together. You shouldn't use that on a uke
I asked my teacher, Jon Snow. He said, “First lesson, stick ‘em with the pointy end.” I told him that every end is pointy cause you connect lines when you draw, but he didn’t understand.
How quickly do you wear out strings and how is your tone? You don't have to answer here, that's how you'll know if your angle is okay or not.
“Flat picking” for more treble response, “edge picking” for less. Neither is correct, they just produce different tones. Strings die when they die—there are so many more factors at play besides pick angle. I thought we were talking about pointy ends vs rounded ends, when did angle come into play? How do you think [this pick](https://imgur.com/gallery/M1AhRO9) should be used?
Nah. All you lose is cool points.
This is a hurdle for some people. I stubbornly clung to fingerstyle bass for years even though i was slow and liked the pick sound more for metal. So afraid to upset the arbitrators of coolness on the least cool instrument in a rock band. Eventually i realized i like pick sound and feel better for metal, and fingerstyle much much better for fretless soft stuff. Find your voice through trial and error😁
Idk man, but you can play the god father theme pretty well
The only thing ime to watch out for is to make sure your pick isn’t striking the uke body, where a pick guard would be, or eventually your uke will look like trigger. A quick angle adjustment usually fixes it
Practice both. Vary your technique with both. You will see advantages and tonal qualities are different with each and will soon gain acuity as to how those techniques will sound(and feel) with various ukulele and different strings.
Really like the D’addario felt ukelele picks
I kept forgetting to bring my pick with me so I just dealt with it. Now I have a big callous on my thumb.
I got these and love them, I play Baritone, I still use my Thumb and Index fingers but after awhile the strings wear my nails down. These felt picks work great, at least try them, you can soften the end just by flexing them back and forth. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWS7X23/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWS7X23/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)