picking style/technique

[slowpoke]

Hello everyone,

I've been noticing more and more how I anchor my arm and also a bit how I hold my pick.

I want to eliviate these but it's difficult.

I usually hold the pick sort of between the finger print of my first finger and my thumb (and the index finger is somewhat curved/almost like pointing-- sometimes I add a second finger for better grip).

I want to change it to more like a fist because I think I'll be able to play with my wrist more and it sounds a lot better.

It's hard because I play out with a band (folk/rock/exp) and I can't really adapt to it (speed is one thing, but I also can't sound chords well this way). I noticed it getting better and thought I'd make a thread to see if anyone had any advice.

I'm not sure this too much or not enough info, but let's see if it starts some conversation.

[dkaplowitz]

That's an interesting way to hold the pick. It sounds kinda' like how George Benson holds a pick. It works pretty wonderfully for him! He anchors too. I don't know what kind of anchoring you are doing (you didn't specify). I was told to avoid anchoring if I could, but there are so many great players with great technique who anchor there really is no rule that says you can't. It's a matter of whatever works to give you freedom of motion, relaxed playing, and a good tone, right?

But if you wanted to change, I wouldn't envy you changing your technique mid-stream. However, You might find it very liberating. You could probably switch to a new picking technique for your practice sessions (or for a part of your practice session) and allow yourself to use what you've been using during gigs -- until you feel comfortable enough to make a clean break. Anyway, that's how I might approach it.

I personally hold the pick against the first joint (from the tip) of my index finger and the fleshy part of the thumb. And I hold it in a loose fist that floats freely (except for muting against the strings by the bridge). Sometimes I extend my pinky and ring fingers a bit while playing, but I don't find it hinders smooth picking so I don't bother correcting it. When I pick it's kinda' like a turning a key in the keyhole type of motion, but not quite like screwing something into a piece of wood --- it's looser. I learned it from a shredder (Paul Gilbert) when I went to GIT. I figured his single note picking was about as fast and fluid as anyone I'd heard at that time, so if it worked for him I'd emulate it. Al DiMeola had a similar style when he did his string skipping chordal stuff (though I think he anchors when playing single note lines).

Good luck whatever you choose!

[slowpoke]

Yeah, I don't want to change it because it's not standard technique but because it makes me tired/inaccuarate over time and I don't think it's the best sound. I suppose I anchor with my elbow but it feels like it's my whole arm (forearm).

The way I've been practicing and improving on slowly sounds more like the technique your using. That key analogy is interesting i'll think about that next time I'm picking.

I don't think I would completely abandon the original way I've been picking but I'm just trying to get more sounds and more control. It's the same reason I'll use my fingers (all or hybrid).

How long were you at GIT for? That must've been some time, eh?

[dkaplowitz]

GIT was cool. I went for a year back in '87-'88, when it was only a 1 year program. I wish I could go there now that I know a little more about what the hell I'm doing. (Alas, it's not likely I'll ever have the time or money to do something like that again.) I think I was still too new to get out of it all that I could have when I went. Nevertheless it was a great experience, and I really did learn a ton (and my playing has never been the same). I think the best thing they taught me was giving me enough musical literacy and the ability to figure out just about anything musically I would need to figure out in the future. That's not to say I can do it all on my own. In fact, I just took up with a new teacher in my area to help coach me with some of the jazz stuff.

Anyway, good luck with the picking!