SharkTooth & Kodiak Crossover Pick Products

Educator Steve Trovato at NAMM 2006

Universal Picking Technique Method

Steve Trovato -also known as the "Great Cameleon" for his broad guitar playing styles- is now working to develop what is known as "Universal Picking Technique" method.

Universal Picking Technique uses the new and comfortable Crossover Pick technology to help develop right hand playing skills. Blending strumming, flat picking, finger picking, harmonics, percussion and finger tapping skills are made easier with the SharkTooth and Kodiak Crossover Pick gear.

(click on the image to the right to learn more about "Universal Picking Technique")

SharkTooth Crossover Pick Product Overview
Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Strum ‘N Comfort® Picking System. The SharkTooth Pick product from Strum 'N Comfort is a new and exciting music accessory for Guitar, Banjo, Resonator, Bass, Autoharp and Pedal Steel. Now on the market at expanded locations, SharkTooth promises to be standard gear for beginners and established players alike.

SharkTooth Crossover Picks evolved over the last three years by working with music teachers and professional musicians. Each of the three models has a  unique set of attributes in terms of fit, feel and adjustability.

The three models are the Traditional, Hybrid and Un-Thumb-Pick (see photos of all three on this page).

SharkTooth picks are designed to support and extend today’s established guitar playing methods. The Strum-N-Comfort Picking System promotes skill development by facilitating the blending of important playing techniques. Flat-picking, Strumming, fingerstyle, harmonics, percussion and finger tapping can be more easily combined using SharkTooth Crossover Picks.

In conclusion, the Strum-N-Comfort Picking System promotes the concept of a "Universal Technique" for playing stringed instruments.

"Improving Your Musical Skill in Comfort" is our motto!

Three unique SharkTooth Crossover Pick designs are available!

The first model of the SharkTooth pick to be presented here is called "Traditional". The Traditional design uses an interchangable Velcro pick/strap assembly and can be easily adjusted for thumb size and for overall plectrum flexibility. The pick tip protrudes through a lateral hole in the sleeve. The pick tip can also be adjusted in and out relative to the thumb line. The Traditional model also has a balanced up and down tension or playing feel. Therefore, using the Velcro strap for adjustment around the thumb, the player can control all of the pick flex attributes. In addition, the Traditional model makes it easy to substitute your favorite flat pick for use with the Neoprene sleeve.

The second model, called the “Un-Thumb Pick”, is a revolutionary design that offers abundant technical flexibility. “Un-Thumb Pick” supports the plectrum on the outside of the sleeve. This pick orientation allows control over every aspect of play. The guitar player engages the pick using the first finger, and when released, the pick retracts to enable a natural Classical approach. That is, play with your bare fingers or engage the flat pick at will. While some practice is required, the musical rewards are well worth the effort.

Third, the “Hybrid” locates the plecrum on the front inside edge of the sleeve and is quickly learned (see Hybrid photo on this page). The Hybrid model owes its basic playing approach to the Merle Travis and Chet Atkins fingerstyle. However, flat picking and fluid strumming come more natural to the player. In other words, just like a thumb-pick, a firm down stroke is achieved by the Hybrid design. However, the pick upstroke tension is loose and is, therefore, well suited for strumming and flat picking applications.

When strumming the guitar is desired, the soft and flexible sleeves eliminate the discomfort and rigidity found with most plastic thumb-picks. Also, single note lead lines are more fluid and the angle of plectrum attack control features of all three models provide significant dynamic and tonal variations.

In addition, common accessory products like plastic or metal finger-pick devices may be used along with SharkTooth.

With the Strum ‘N Comfort® Picking System, flat-picking, thumb-picking, finger tapping and the widely taught "Classical" guitar technique is divided no longer.