Hilla <3
you dont have to but your fingers will hurt if you just learning. definatly go out and buy some books and just enjoy it.

dsvgdfbgdfg
you dont have to use a guitar pick,when i started i did...its easier..

swimming_sweetheart19
you don't have to play with a pick. it just depends on the sound you want your guitar to make.

bonecrusher
YOu don't need a guitar pick for acoustic. Actually, alot of acoustic DOESN'T use picks, but uses strumming and string picking with different fingers for different strings.

Greg D
no a pick is not necessary but it will help because the alternative is your fingernail

Nate B
hi, and no you don't have to use a guitar pick if you are good at playing the guitar but since you are a beginner i would recommend that you use a pick, plus it is easier to play the guitar with a pick.

did_u_no_wrong
Depends on your own preference. You can use a pick or just your fingers. Picks are cheap, so why not pick up a few different kinds and play with them? If you like one, keep using it. Guitar tabs are pretty easy to read for beginners. It's usually just a picture of where to put your fingers on the fretboard. If you mess around with a tabs book , pretty soon you'll get a feel for how things are supposed to sound and you can start practicing individual songs.

Sam S
You don't have to use a pick unless you want to. You can play with your fingertips which is known as fingerstyle or fingerpicking. As for tips...practice every day, even if its just for half an hour, learn a new chord every day, and learn some scales.

Ol' Sasquatch
No, a pick is not necessary and I personally perfer not using one. However, might I suggest seeking a teacher to help you learn? Most folk who try to learn on their own, stop after a few weeks. And please, choose one who is qualified to teach you. Learn the easy stuff, simple chords and the like and you could carry on on your own. It is worth the few bucks to learn it right, IMHO. Good Luck with this. The Acoustic Guitar Slinging, Folk Music Writer of Songs, The One and Only ... Ol' Sasquatch Ü

guitarpicker56
I started out using no picks at all. Gradually, I turned to the thumbpick and let the nails of my right hand grow long and sturdy for fingerpicking methods ala Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. Sometimes I enjoy sitting and playing an acoustic using no pick because the plain skin generates a most pleasing sound. The longer one uses the thumb, the sooner a callus begins to grow, and coupled with a strong, healthy thumbnail, speed and dexterity come into play. Note: There are exceptions to every rule. Contrary to my friend Cconsaul's comment on using the fingernails only in a downward pattern, I have for years used my fingernails both downward and upward in rhythm--especially when playing Flamenco music like "Malaguena." I've learned that the collagen in good hair conditioners help toughen the nails, but so too does regular maintenance and trimming of them.

cconsaul
You can use a plectrum, or pick. You can also play with your fingernails, fingernails going down, (Downstroke)thumb nail going up. (Upstroke) < doing it the other way tends to tear nails > The other thing you may wish to explore is fingerstyle guitar. If you think it's just for classical music, think again. Prominent fingerstyle players include Lyndsey Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac, Mark Knopfler from dire Straits, and even Ritchie Blackmore and Eric Clapton during this portion of their careers. I put a few lionks below just in case you want to look into this style of playing. Hope this helps.