When you are picking, when you hold down the strings on the fret, do you pick that string aswell with your pick or do you strum through it..?

I don't have my guitar yet but in music class i managed to get one to play and i was looking through some picking tabs and i tried to play them but i wasn't sure.

Basically, on a tab, if it says there's, for example, the 4th fret of the 3rd string and nothing else, you simply need to pick it.
Some songs are picking only, some are strumming only and some are hybrid.
Usually, when you play picking only, you would use your fingers instead.
With the other 2 types, it's up to you whether to use a pick or not.

Don't know if that answers your question though. XD

That answers most of my question, thanks :]

If it's marked in the tab, then you have to play the string.

Actually I don't really get what you're saying. But you can fret a chord and play a particular pattern without playing all the strings that you've pressed. So it's not that you have to play every string you press. But if it's stated in the tab then yes. It all depends on the tab.

So uh for example:

|-------2---------------
|-----------3--------2--
|---------------4-------
|-----------------------
|----6------------------
|-------------2---------

Just random stuff but like so on the last string you would press on the second fret and sixth line and pick that string with your finger or pick?

The number on each of those lines represent the fret that you are suppose to press.

As for picking with a pick or your finger, it depends on what kind of sound you want from the guitar. Finger plucking gives a softer tone, while a pick would give a sharp sound.

Yes. Whatever which is on the tab is a must to play. But do it from left to right. As in read the tab from left to right.

Okay, shankyuu :]

Yeah..i have a story to share :rolleyes:

I self taught myself and in my struggles i asked my sister (who lives 1000miles away) about how to get my "picking" right.

She told me lesson number 1

DO NOT USE PICK (therefore use your fingers)

Her argument was with my zero knowledge going straight to pick/plectrum will left me handicap if i don't have the pick with me (when i need to play the guitar). Plus (she says) it'll give me more "feel" if i personally touch the strings with my fingers.

Second, some "tricks" can only be done properly with finger picking. (tho at that time i have no clue what she's saying). For example picking more than one string at one time. (mind me; no technical words here coz i never went to any classes :swt )

So i ditched my pick and learned picking with fingers until i'm comfortable, then i started to use plectrum for obvious reason (it's clearer and sharper)

I do have friends who never use plectrum (or the fact that they're not familiar with it).

I think it's good to know how to use both of them. Well atleast trying them out :wink .

Well good luck! (i'm a learner myself :D)