Floating Fingers ..or Not? |
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Aug 23 2011, 11:58 PM
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QUOTE (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  same here! you should be able to change between both as you like -------------------- Visit my:
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Aug 24 2011, 01:27 AM
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I am an anchor almost all the time - except strumming.
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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 
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Aug 25 2011, 07:34 PM
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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). This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Aug 25 2011, 07:36 PM --------------------  Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
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Aug 25 2011, 08:20 PM
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QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Aug 25 2011, 03:32 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 I agree with you ben, both are fine if you feel like it
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