Comments

• JSanta NY✭✭✭ Dupont, Gaffiero, AJL

  May 2020 Posts: 272

  There's a lot of variation in how people pick. Stephane Wrembel anchors his pinky when he plays (depending on the lines) and has his ring and middle fingers curled in. Jimmy Rosenberg brushes the top with his middle and ring fingers (at least it looks that way to me). I don't think there's necessarily a "right way" as so much variation within the best players exists.
• dennis Montreal, QuebecModerator

  May 2020 Posts: 2,161

  Do whatever feels right for you. As long as it feels good and you can get the sound you want, it’s fine. I have a studied all the best players’ picking hands up close, they all have their own variations on roughly the same technique. One person who floats a lot like you want to is Mozes Rosenberg who happens to be Stochelo’s own brother.

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• vanmalmsteen Diamond Springs ,CANew Latch Drom F, Eastman DM2v, Altamira m30d , Altimira Mod M

  May 2020 Posts: 337

  I have always done it just us Matthewkanis describes, I always thought it was incorrect. All the gypsy guys I watch always have their fingers closed and hovering above the bridge. I do it that way sometimes, but it feels quite natural for my pinky to lightly touch the body of the guitar. Glad I read his post, now I feel like it’s not ‘wrong’
• mac63000 Fox Island, WANew Geronimo Mateos Jazz B

  May 2020 edited May 2020 Posts: 248

  Funny timing, I've been teaching a friend some techniques lately and this came up too. I think it's another example where there is not a "right way" or a "wrong way" for technique, just use what's comfortable and gives you the sound you like, as the others mentioned. The only reason I've shifted my playing on my latest guitar is just to avoid wearing down the oil finish in that spot where my pinky hangs out, but the worn out look is certainly en vogue these days... To each their own!
• vanmalmsteen Diamond Springs ,CANew Latch Drom F, Eastman DM2v, Altamira m30d , Altimira Mod M

  May 2020 edited May 2020 Posts: 337

  I just cut out a circular shape from a screen protector and put it right there were my pinky rubs

  i’ve also in the past ordered some stuff from eBay, some kind of clear plastic that adheres wonderfully to the wood and peels off with no problems, the guy sells it as pick guard material.
• pdg ✭✭

  May 2020 Posts: 484

  Watching videos of Bireli, it seems like he doesn't touch the top unless he's playing really fast, in which case sometimes he lets his third and fourth fingers drop down to touch the top, probably for stability.
• vanmalmsteen Diamond Springs ,CANew Latch Drom F, Eastman DM2v, Altamira m30d , Altimira Mod M

  May 2020 Posts: 337

  Maybe I’m crazy but, I believe that by not touching the top whatsoever, has a positive effect on the overall tone of the instrument .

  
• ChrisMartin Shellharbour NSW Australia✭✭ Di Mauro x2, Petrarca, Genovesi, Burns, Kremona Zornitsa & Paul Beuscher resonator.

  May 2020 Posts: 959

  https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/101309#Comment_101309

  This is a strange question for me, but as a relative beginner maybe it is just because I am not up to the speed of the masters, and I am trying more to work on rhythm playing anyway but it would seem to me the reason some do it would simply be a reference point of spacial awareness, that contact point for the tip of maybe just the pinky lets the hand, and therefore the pick, know exactly where it is in relation to the strings.

  If that is all that is required there is no need for any great pressure on the guitar so would hardly have any effect on the tone. What you are saying is valid in cases where some people hold the guitar too tight against them, or rest an entire hand on the surface then certainly one can strangle the tone but I doubt it is a problem for the likes of Angelo, Bireli, Stochelo or Tchavolo.
• vanmalmsteen Diamond Springs ,CANew Latch Drom F, Eastman DM2v, Altamira m30d , Altimira Mod M

  May 2020 edited May 2020 Posts: 337

  https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/101324#Comment_101324

  well, that’s why I prefaced the statement.lol

  I still stand by it. I mean obviously the more pressure one puts on the top ,the more drastic would be the effect, whereas just an extremely light brush would be nearly imperceptible. A difference nonetheless.

  I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that I am Notorious with the pinky drag
• Jose Minneapolis New DuPont MD 50

  May 2020 Posts: 49

  https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/101300#Comment_101300

  I believe Gonzalo Bergara also picks with a floating hand. Right?