How to Get a Pick out of a Guitar

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Did you drop your guitar pick through the instrument’s sound hole? Fret not, and don’t race to the music store for a replacement. There are quick and easy techniques you can use to rescue a lost pick from inside the body of your acoustic guitar.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Flipping the Guitar Quickly

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    The sound hole should be facing upward. Ensure that the floor around you is free of grates, nooks, or other spots in which your pick could get lost. Also be sure that you've got clearance to move your instrument around without knocking over a nearby object.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    Finesse is key here. Gently use the guitar’s interior support braces to help slide the pick directly under the sound hole, so it sits over the label inside. Grab a flashlight if the room's lighting isn't enough to get a good look inside.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    If you flip it over quickly enough, inertia will cause the pick to "stick" to the back of the guitar until the sound hole is facing down. The pick will fall in your lap. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Shaking It Through the Sound Hole

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    This technique involves some up-and-down movement, so it's easiest done standing. You should have some space to move around, so be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you - and the guitar's neck - are far enough away from your 60 inch flat screen TV or mom's favorite lamp.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    The sound hole should be facing the floor. Keep a firm grip with one hand at the heel where the fretboard meets the body, and the other on the lower bout. If you're lucky, the pick might just fall out, but you'll more than likely have to do some maneuvering.
    EXPERT TIP

    Carlos Alonzo Rivera, MA

    Professional Guitarist
    Carlos Alonzo Rivera is a guitarist, composer, and educator based in San Francisco, California. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from California State University, Chico, as well as a Master of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Carlos specializes in the following genres: classical, jazz. rock, metal and blues.
    Carlos Alonzo Rivera, MA
    Professional Guitarist

    Our Expert Agrees: Flip the guitar over so the soundhole is facing the ground. Then, shake the guitar up-and-down instead of side-to-side. The pick will bounce around inside the chamber and eventually fly out of the soundhole.

  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    Listen for the sound the pick makes from inside the body to track where it is. If the pick doesn't fall out of the sound hole, try to shake it to the top and center of the guitar, toward the neck. The goal is to strategically corral the pick.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    Do this in a quick motion once you’ve moved the pick to the top and center of the body. Let gravity slide the pick down the body until it falls out of the sound hole.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Stick Tool

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    It should be long and thin enough to get through the sound hole without touching the strings.
    • A chopstick, small paintbrush, or pencil will work fine. Go with something you're comfortable with modifying. Don't select, for example, your favorite pen.
    • For the adhesive, you can use poster putty, double-sided tape, a bit of glue from a glue stick, or even chewing gum.
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    The instrument should be facing up, with the strings and sound hold facing the ceiling. Position it so that you can see the pick through the sound hole. You might need to carefully shake it around until the pick comes into view.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    Touch it to the pick. Apply pressure so it sticks. Make sure you've got a grip on it before you start to pull it out of the guitar.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Get a Pick out of a Guitar
    Slow and steady wins the race: don't rush or you might drop the pick and have to start over. Be careful not to hit the strings or sound hole’s sides, and try not to get the sticky stuff everywhere.
    • With practice, you might be able to skip the adhesive altogether, and use the stick to keep the pick anchored to the base of the guitar, against the inside label, as you flip the instrument over and let gravity do the rest. [2]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How else can I get out the pick without shaking it?
    Community Answer
    Unless your hands are small enough to fit in there, you'll have to use the shake method.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 15
  • Question
    I can't really see through the sound hole. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Try removing the strings and using a flashlight.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • Make sure not to shake too vigorously. Shaking your guitar hard isn’t very consistent or accurate, and you could damage the neck, fretboard, or another fragile part of the instrument.
        Thanks
      • Be careful with your guitar.
        Thanks
      • If you've made an adhesive tool using a chopstick and poster putty or glue, don't use the chopstick for eating in the future.
        Thanks
      • It could also fly out at an unpredictable angle, so make sure you’re far away from floor vents or grates, or other spots in which the pick might easily get lost.
        Thanks
      • You should be able to easily spot your pick once it falls out of the sound hole, so shaking it out over a colorful rug might not be the best idea, depending on what color your pick is.
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEOGWMQYejI&feature=youtu.be&t=81
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GtomHkRhmo&feature=youtu.be&t=51

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you need to get a pick out of a guitar, hold the guitar flat on your lap, with the sound hole facing upward. Gently shake the guitar from side to side until you can see the pick through the sound hole. If you’re somewhere that’s dark, use a flashlight so you can see into the guitar. Once you can see the pick, quickly flip the guitar upside-down, and the pick should fall into your lap. Keep reading to learn how to shake the pick out of the guitar!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Ron Bon

        Mar 3, 2021

        "I had my pick in my guitar. Now I do not."
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