Question: What size guitar pick should I use? I have favored the thinner picks because they don't make me push as hard against the strings. This allows my picking hand to be less tense. I haven't tried yet but I think it might help me with your thumb muting practice.

Tom Hess's Answer: If you are noticing a lot of picking hand tension, it is likely NOT due to the pick you are using (in fact, a ‘heavier’ pick will require less effort to get notes to sound). In order to ease picking hand tension, make sure that you are not holding the pick too tightly and that your thumb is straight (without an extreme bend) while you hold it.

Also tilt the pick slightly towards the headstock of the guitar (where the tuning heads are) will make it easier for the pick to slice through the string with less effort (and resulting tension).

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