Pick

The pick — or plectrum — is a small flat piece, made of plastic, metal or nylon, held between thumb and index finger to strike the strings. Its thickness (0.4 to 1.5 mm) shapes the sound: thin for arpeggios and strummed chords, thick for precise, powerful solos. Many styles (rock, metal, country) are played almost exclusively with a pick; others (classical, fingerstyle) prefer fingers.