flat pick

¹

noun

1. a usually triangular plectrum used in plucking or strumming the strings of an instrument, especially a guitar.

flat-pick

²

[flat-pik]

verb (used with object)

1. to play (an instrument) by plucking its strings with a flat pick.

verb (used without object)

1. to play a stringed instrument using a flat pick.

Other Word Forms

• flat-picker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flat pick¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Speaking to the website Bluegrass Situation in 2017, he explained: “Since I always liked fiddle tunes and the mandolin is tuned like a fiddle — and I was good with a flat pick from guitar — I got completely wrapped up playing fiddle tunes with the mandolin.”

From New York Times

Most notable was Mr. McReynolds’s widely imitated cross-picking technique, which employed a flat pick to approximate the three-finger banjo roll of the bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs.

From New York Times

I started playing with a flat pick like everyone else, and an older kid turned me on to Chet Atkins when I was working at a music store.

From Washington Post

Mitchell’s advice to the fledging guitarist included telling him to switch from the thumb pick commonly used by country bluesmen to a flat pick favored by many jazz guitarists.

From Washington Post

Then I began to learn the Jimmie Rodgers licks on the guitar, then all at once I began to figure out, ‘Hey, I could play that Carter stuff a lot better with a flat pick.’

From New York Times