I like using .88 mm picks for alternate picking...actually that's what I use for everything sweeps, alternate, etc. I just use the normal? style of grip...i dunno, ive once or twice tried holding the pick like friedman haha, didn't workout too great for me, i guess it's all about comfort for everyone.

my problem is more with fast, heavier rhythms i think.. my index finger tends to get in the way and slices across the string with the smaller picks, lol

(that was who gave you -1 rating, total accident.. meant to press +1. sorry)

I use pickboy 1.0mm they have a good point to em like the jazz III but they are bigger picks with raised dots for grip. They are hard to come by though the only place i can find them is at brooklyngear.com. and ya gotta buy 50 at a shot.

I've been using Snarling Dogs Brain Picks (1.14mm, the orange ones) for awhile. I like the emery-like grip they have on them. And I just use the stock, standard way of holding a flatpick, with the pick held between my thumb and the first knuckle of my index finger.

Well you could try holding it like Mustaine when he picks heavy fast riffs sometimes...I've seen him do it a few times before. He holds the pick with his index and middle finger hehe, I guess it gives you more control of it and it won't slip out or anything.

I use the dunlop jazz III picks too. I've been using them since I started playing when I was 7 (i'm 20 now). My guitar teacher reccomended them even back then and they're great. They are small, but thats why I like them. For rhythm playing I tend to use a looser grip, with my thumb, and I kind of curl my index finger back a little bit. For lead I tighten my grip a little bit and poke my thumb out because I do a lot of pinch harmonics in my soloes.

The most important thing is to pay attention to 3 things:

The pick should not move when you play (this also means the pick must not bend)
Only about a quarter of an inch should be making contact with the string
The pick should be tilted and not held perpendicular to the string.

These 3 things are the only things that really matter, the actual way you hold it, really doesn't matter as much as making sure that the above 3 things are happening . This is key for fast and accurate picking.

Hope this helps.

Mike Philippov

www.mikephilippov.com
www.thenextstepguitar.com

I pinch the pick (steel pick or pickboy 0.8 normal shape) between the thumb outter segment pad and the side of my index at the last segment (which means the index points towards the strings in a 45deg angle).
With the nylon picks, especially after they had worn off a little, my index used to hit the strings too and that caused my fingernail to wear off. The steel pick I use now maintains its length, so I haven't run into this problem since. Then again, the weight of the steel pick makes it inappropriate for speed picking, and I don't do pinch harmonics all the time either, although I can make them if I want to...

I can't stand tiny picks. My fingers (both index and thumb) are always in the way.

I like big triange picks that give just a little bend when picking. I hold the pick with thumb and index finger for most stuff. My index finger rarely touches a string unless I do it intentionally however my thumb is in contact with a string probably every time I strike a string. I ring off pinch harmonics by simply squeezing the pick slightly which pulls it back between my thumb and finger exposing less of the edge of the pick. Also to note... Pick is almost always slightly angled to the string which makes picking easier and prevents hanging on the string. Note: I don't know anyone else who likes the triangle picks but I'll explain why I use them... When I use your typical teardrop shaped pick I can never keep the pointy end toward the strings. I always end up picking with the rounded end of the pick. Then I eventually drop the pick and have to get a new one (you can never find them once you drop em). Anyway... Using the triangle picks ensures that there is always a pointy end toward the strings and provides a little more real estate to keep your grip. (Just my preference...)

I use .38mm dunlop nylon. Yeah, I know, they're paper thin and difficult to control, but that's the point! The pick isn't going to cover up any sloppy play, either you hit it, or you don't! Thumb and forefinger. At most only 1/8" of the pick exposed, more and it bends too much resulting in your playing sounding weak and uncertain.

I play pretty much only 12 strings. With these picks it's easier to control individual string volume so that one string doesn't overpower another. It also allows me to pick individual strings from a pair.

Dunlop Tortex, as heavy as I can get. Usually 1.4mm or 1.6mm. I even have some Dunlop 2.0mm picks. I had to order them from Musicians Friend. I love those picks. I choke up on the picks. I don't want any pick give, none at all.