The right pick (at whatever price–high or low) can really boost your sound, speed and volume.

Good mandolin picks are important for moderate or advanced mandolin players, which are concerned about their sound and how a pick reacts and interacts with the approach as they attack the strings for maximum playability and tone.

Getting a good pick is the cheapest way to make that much difference in tone. You can try changing your mandolin, but this will certainly prove expensive!

Pick material is really important, as it affects tone and also durability.

For example, Blue Chip Mandolin Picks are said to be made of Meldin, an industrial grade plastic that is extremely hard and very expensive. A small sheet of it cost about $1300. Some players report that with this pick they  can play all night with almost no wear on the edges of the pick. Some even report they have had the same pick for 3 years of tough playing with no wear!.

Maybe the best advise is to both:

• Try a whole bunch of mandolin picks, to see which one you prefer. You can easily do that at music shops
• If you’re taking lessons ask your teacher what he or she recommends.

But, the bottom line remains, you don’t know if a pick is good for you, until you try it.

As a beginner there’s no point on buying a really nice pick yet, especially if you have a habit of losing things. A good pick may not make a great difference  if you’re a newbie.

You should wait till you develop more technique in their right hand, because then, subtle differences like picks can make a big difference.

For beginners, the only thing to remember it to get a  hard pick, i.e. 0.75mm or thicker.

Mandolin picks are small and there is a chance you will lose yours, no matter how careful you are. So, a good advise is to always have a bunch of picks in your mandolin case so they are always good when you  grab one.

It takes more than an expensive pick to be a good musician, it’s more about knowing what you want to get out of the instrument. The balance of the instrument, strings, set up, pick and attitude is what makes it work. The player’s skill is the most important ingredient, as a good pick may improve your tone, but it probably won’t improve your playing.

Without practicing, not even the best pick in the world will make you a good musician. So, grab your mandolin, play and have fun!

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