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Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 23 2011, 08:27 AM

I have gotten used to keeping my fingers floating while alternate picking due to the fact that I mostly enjoy playing with hybrid picking as well so, I was thinking:

how do you prefer your right hand fingers while performing - floating or leaned towards the guitar body? What are the advantages of your approach?

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 23 2011, 08:40 AM

For 'small, concentrated' techniques like alternate picking I rest my little finger towards the guitar body but for general riffing and strumming I let my whole hand move freely... whatever it needs to do at the time. It's a good idea to be able to do both

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 23 2011, 10:14 AM

Indeed, there are moments when resting a finger on the guitar body is necessary, although I feel very free when I'm not doing that

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 23 2011, 11:36 AM

For chugging and digging into the strings I go free hand it seems to give me more strength and control for palm muting as well. Leads and faster licks I tend to plant the pinky. String skipping I'm just up in smoke about because neither way seems to feel comfortable with me, maybe I need to work it more? Last is sweeping I tend to do it the Herman Li way, I'm free hand and move the whole arm .

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 23 2011, 12:10 PM

I've noticed a difference between Steve Vai for instance who likes to free float the hand when alternate picking and Michael Angelo Batio who plants more than the pinky, using his fingers as some sort of supporting device. Nevertheless, it works awesome for him, although it looks rather strange and uncomfortable.

Posted by: Michael AC Aug 23 2011, 12:25 PM

Ok that just makes me sick! In a good way!

I do not think I will ever be able to play like that...argh!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 23 2011, 01:07 PM

Michael Angelo Batio is an amazing dude! He is NOT just a brainless shredding machine! I can guarantee that

Posted by: ZzRenato Aug 23 2011, 01:30 PM

Floating for all

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 23 2011, 03:03 PM

I have used my pinky finger very much anchored to the body for a number of practicing years, and still do sometimes. It doesn't really bother me that much. Floating, no floating, it's just about making nice relaxed smooth transitions/movements of the picking hand.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 23 2011, 03:05 PM

Nicely said Ivan! For instance I anchor my hand when I hold my guitar lower than usual, as it helps a lot when I move around.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 23 2011, 03:26 PM

Good method for keeping the guitar with the body

Posted by: slash48 Aug 23 2011, 04:38 PM

Hey Guys, important point- Grazing over the body of guitar with fingers is not a bad habbit.... It's when you have one or more of the fingers fixed on the body of the guitar and not moving that it is! This restricts wrist movement and creates tension- it's a bad habit.... Another point- Palm Muting is not a bad habit since it's consciously done to change the tonality of the notes and doesn't restrict wrist movement or create friction! What about Michael Romeo from Symphony X? He picks at blazing speed while anchoring.... It works for him because he preforms the gross movements with his wrist, and "picks" with his fingers. Most people don't do this....Steve Morse, great at picking while anchored but developed carpel tunnel in only his right hand.... Does it have to do with anchoring? Well, it does create tension!

If you don't believe me, believe physics. Physics will tell you that the least amount of surface area interacting with another surface equals less friction, and therefore, more speed.

Sorry for the rant but this is something I've thought for a long time about and wanna share what I know!
If you anchor try not anchoring, you just might like it.... Cheers!,
Dylan

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 23 2011, 04:53 PM

No ranting mate! Not at all, your words are very true thanks for sharing!

Posted by: K1R Aug 23 2011, 05:10 PM

My pinky usually rests on the guitar. I was worried about it and wanted to tech myself to play without that "support". But then I saw this vid:


If Guthrie plays like this, then there is nothing wrong

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 23 2011, 05:13 PM

I use both depending on what I'm playing. Using floating fingers allows me to play faster. I use my pinky anchored in the guitar body when I'm playing bluesy/melodic licks that are slow and must be played strong with my pick.

Posted by: slash48 Aug 23 2011, 06:21 PM

Don't get me wrong, I love Guthrie and he's possibly my favorite guitarist but what he's doing with his pinky is exactly what I would advice against.... Again physics will tell you that the least amount of surface area interacting with another surface equals less friction, and therefore, more speed. Therefore Guthrie Govan could have less tension and have the ability to play faster and be less prone to injury.... And just because a certain guitarist gets lucky and doesn't get injured doing it, there are still people like Steve Morse who would probably give an arm to recreate their picking technique into a floating one considering the injuries they've gone through. Oh, and by the way Guthrie is a perfect example of the restriction it has on wrist movement... Right when he needs to go to light speed, he picks with his forearm, not his wrist. I think the reason Guthrie hasn't been injured yet is he's only anchoring one finger on the body. The more fingers the worse, and he's just doing one.Saying So and So good guitarist plays with anchoring so there's nothing wrong with it is really kind of illogical because they had to overcome the problems with anchoring by practicing technique more then floaters.... Give floating an honest try K1R, you might like it better.
Cheers! (Great job with the sweeps by the way... Always refreshing to hear actually clean sweeps with good tone)



No problem, just wanted to share my insights!

Cheers!

Petrucci visibly relaxes at the end of every fast run and Steve Morse actually has carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists.
Conversely, look how relaxed Shawn Lane and Paul Gilbert are when performing similar runs.

Posted by: Twinbroz Aug 23 2011, 06:56 PM

Look up a japanese guitarist, Takayoshi Ohmura. He picks insanely fast without moving anything but his finger, a mix of economy picking know in jazz as circle picking.

His mentor and an also very well know Japanese guitarist know as Kelly Simonz also uses this anchoring. I feel people are too into western music. Stay open minded

Posted by: K1R Aug 23 2011, 07:00 PM

I'm in the group of risk then, as I usually anchor ring finger too...Thanks for the information, mate. I will try not to anchor fingers.

Posted by: slash48 Aug 23 2011, 07:43 PM

I'm glad your switching! After you've practiced floating a decent amount let us know how you feel about it compared to anchoring....

Cheers mate, good luck with
the practice!



No sir. Takayoshi Ohmura is my favorite guitarist along with Guthrie and the Japanese guitarist of Galneryus, Syu. His phrasing, tone, solos, and riffing all are incredible.... I listen in a single day to Symphony X, Miles Davis, and Takayoshi, so yes, I consider myself open-minded. I'm aware of circle picking too.... But keep in mind Takayoshi Ohmura isn't JUST doing circle picking. We never do any pure technique. There are always other motions involved.... I myself can see wrist movement in Mr. Ohmura. There is also something called Sarod picking which is explained by Buckethead's teacher Pebber Brown on youtube which is circle picking with alterations. My general rule is big muscles for big jobs and small muscles for small jobs so although that would make me think circle-picking could be efficient, the thumb and first finger already have enough trouble holding on to and adjusting the angle of this silly piece of plastic to also function in moving it.... That's my philosphy and I'm sticking to it. I know Kelly Simonz also and again, just because so and so good player uses anchoring doesn't mean it's a good technique, it just means they have to practice more on technique, and are more prone to injury. Again, it's not me telling you this, it's physics....
Blah, I'm bored of all this technique talk....
Cheers mate

Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Aug 23 2011, 10:17 PM

+1

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Aug 23 2011, 11:58 PM

same here! you should be able to change between both as you like

Posted by: thefireball Aug 24 2011, 01:27 AM

I am an anchor almost all the time - except strumming.

Posted by: moleman Aug 24 2011, 02:20 AM

I definitely anchor too, and Slash's comments have got me a bit worried.
I do it because it allows me to gauge my right hand position better, and means I can pick with more accuracy without needing to look at that part of the guitar.

It is really hard to stop, but I have found that palm muting is easier when I float.

Posted by: jstcrsn Aug 24 2011, 02:24 AM

I anchored for many years,but when I started to focus on alt.picking ,I noticed pain
so I am currently trying to do both ,equally

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 25 2011, 07:57 AM

When I hold my guitar up high (ar the Mozart Rocks! thing I really don't have any other choice my hands are almost always floating by nature ) but yesterday, I was thinking about this post when playing at rehearsals and guess what...I caught myself anchoring while my axe was swung low I guess it's a matter of situation after all.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 25 2011, 09:32 AM

Guys just remember all the guys who are awesome at alternate picking and you will remember that they use all approaches.

John Pretucci, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Angelo - anchoring

Paul Gilbert, Al DiMealo, John McLaughlin - floating

There is no advantage of one over the other. The only advantage is personal and whether it makes you feel you have a better grasp on rythm and timing.

The only point to avoid is tension as Slash correctly pointed out. But that is a consequence of the indiviudal rather than the system he/she uses.

So panic not my friends - either way is good as long as it feels natural and relaxed

Posted by: Azzaboi Aug 25 2011, 07:34 PM

Agree, it's a matter of what your more comfortable with and so long it's not slowing you down or getting in the way, I don't see any need to change. I believe the positioning of the picking hand is more important, getting it in a place where you don't have to move up and down much (or at all).

I personally play floating spreading the fingers but I sometimes give the feeling of being anchored (more control) by curling the pinkie finger just touching under the 'e' string (using it for muting purpose as well). I use to play loosely with the fingers curled inwards, but felt that got in the way for me and slowed me down. Just practicing holding the form with the index finger curled fully but other fingers stretched out which I wanted without even playing helped it become natural, then just letting it relax, curl slightly when playing. Changing my picking to more like Paul Gilbert's (awesome guy to study picking off) style of playing, I wanted that aggressive attack while just grazing the string rather than digging.

If I wanted to trill then I would anchor the middle finger on the base of the guitar to vibrate off and keep much more control. Michael Angelo style of playing (but not to his extreme)! Keeping timing on that and not making it messy is hard, but it's really easy to reach your max speed (which is a lot more than you first believe). I also have his DVD - Speed Kills 2010 (some insane showing off but very helpful as he does teach you a trick or tip you might not be aware of).

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 25 2011, 08:20 PM

I agree with you ben, both are fine if you feel like it

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 26 2011, 09:02 AM

I"m also a "Hybrid" kind of guy I generally do what sorta feels right. I usually start floating and then at some point depending on what I"m playing I"ll notice my pinky providing support, then back to floating.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 26 2011, 09:02 AM

I"m also a "Hybrid" kind of guy I generally do what sorta feels right. I usually start floating and then at some point depending on what I"m playing I"ll notice my pinky providing support, then back to floating.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 28 2011, 01:59 PM

Guys! I have analyzed myself during the gigs I had on Friday and Saturday and I observed how I unconsciously switched between the floating and anchored position it made me think of all of you here at GMC hehehe! Hugs to everyone!