Mike WIlliams asks:

“I often have a problem keeping hold of my pick/plectrum, which tends to slip around between my thumb and forefinger. This doesn’t do much for the sound or my nerves, and isn’t very helpful when the pick pings inside the guitar. I’m not particularly good but bold enough to play for several children’s groups (church toddler’s, library and our son’s school). With some children’s songs I can get away with re-positioning the pick at an appropriate pause, but it would help my confidence if I could hold the pick more securely.”

 Andy replies:

It is partly a fine motor skills issue that will improve as your playing hours progress but it may also be to do with the thickness and type of plectrum/pick you use. If it’s too thick its easy to loose grip. Same happens if the pick is completely smooth plastic too. Try roughening it up with some sandpaper or use one of the slightly textured nylon picks. I use Dunlop .60mm for acoustic which seems to stay put and something slightly thicker like a 1mm for electric. Also if your hands get hot, oily or sweaty try to relax as much as possible as this may be due to nerves and washing with soap and drying them just before you play. Hope that helps.