I know that the "pick thing" has been discussed lots, but something happened recently that made me think again about the various methods of holding a pick. I hold my pick in the "text book" pre-rock music method as advocated in books by the "danceband" generation of guitar players. I mentioned this fact to a professional guitarist recently and he immediately said that he didn't care for that method of holding the pick as it made his hand tighten up. He then demonstrated what he meant; however, his interpretation of the method was - to my mind - all wrong. The problem is - I think - do to with trying to learn the method of holding the pick via, not very well illustrated, photos and drawings. Interestingly, can anyone out there explain how the gypsy jazz guitarists hold a pick, because, surely, their's is the best method - judging from the resulting technical facility, sound and volume.