Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar.

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Where’s My Pick?

April 04

Q: Sometimes when I’m playing my guitar, my pick falls into the guitar. Is there a particular or proper way to retrieve the pick?

B: Surprisingly enough, I haven’t found much literature on such a technique. The most common way is to flip the guitar upside down and shake vigorously. The problem with this technique is that it is not very consistent, or accurate. Sometimes shaking doesn’t get it out, and other times, when it does come out, it may fly out at such surprising angle and speed that it’s lost; maybe never to be found again.

The technique I am going to describe is a method I developed in the mid-90’s. I believe it is far more effective than the “traditional” technique. Someday I’ll have illustrations to demostate the process, but until then here’s what to do:

Step 1: Once the pick has fallen in guitar. Hold the guitar, flat on your lap, and look into the sound hole. Give the guitar a couple shakes until you can actually see the pick directly under the sound hole. Most guitars have support braces running on the inside of the back. These can help to “barge” the pick in a particular area. Once the pick is in the center barge, slide it so it is directly under the sound hole.

Step 2: Take your finger, or your hand and reach into the sound hole between the low E string and the body of the guitar. Depending on the size of your hand you may have to move the strings to the side or pull them away with your other hand.

Step 3: With your hand in the guitar, place 1 (one) finger on the pick. Use pressure to hold it against the back of the guitar.

Step 4: Continue pressing the pick on the back of the guitar while lifting and turning the guitar upside down.

Step 5: Now let gravity do the work. Loosen your pressure on the pick and let it fall into your hand or through the sound hole and onto the floor.

Assignment: This exercise takes practice. Try dropping the pick and retrieving it with this technique several times before you are in a professional situation.

Hopefully, you will find this to be a superior way of exhuming a pick from the instrument. Show your friends; spread the word.