Picking details

[rich5581]

Hi again,

I'm getting on fairly well and can now improvise a little with a few songs but I'm still a little unsure about picking technique.

I can hold the pick correctly but it's just the action of picking that I'm a bit vague on.

When I pick, does the down and up motion of the pick come from the wrist? I presume when strumming chords it comes from the elbow. Also, how far does the pick go down below the strings when I pick them? Currently the pick goes in by 1/2 cm each time I pick a note - is this too far? It's like when I pick I move my hand into the strings a little as well as up and downwards.

For strumming chords up and down, does the pick angle change from the fingers, the wrist or just automatically from the horizontal as the pick hits the strings?

Finally...what are your views on anchoring your little finger? I thought I'd try to learn to picking with no anchoring but I feel that my shoulder becomes more tense. I've heard conflicting views so maybe it's just personal preference.

Thanks for the help and I hope I've explained things reasonably well


Richard

[Danny Poole]

When I pick, does the down and up motion of the pick come from the wrist?

Yes, depending on how fast you play. Everybody has their own style, when I pick at a normal pace I use my wrist. When I start to play fast (speed picking) my wrist locks up, the base of the palm of my hand sits on the bridge and I'm relying on the elasticity in my skin to provide the quick up and down motion needed. You can see it a little on the link provided above (must be a G.T.O. member)

I presume when strumming chords it comes from the elbow.

When strumming chords you use a little bit of your elbow and as much of your wrist. For faster strumming patterns it's more of your wrist. Look about 1 minute into this "Time Of Your Life" video example (don't have to be a member) to see how the wrist and elbow work together.

how far does the pick go down below the strings when I pick them?

Use the speed picking example above as well to see how to roll the pick on a bit of an angle. When you do this the pick slides off the string. You should really only let you pick go in a few millimeters. But once again the harder you pick the further the pick will have to go in so as always it varies and the is no 100% conformed way.

For strumming chords up and down, does the pick angle change from the fingers, the wrist or just automatically from the horizontal as the pick hits the strings?

I don't think it's so much the pick angle that changes more so the lighter you hold the pick, then the more give it will have. This means when you strike the strings the pick will naturally angle away from the strings you're strumming.

Finally...what are your views on anchoring your little finger? I thought I'd try to learn to picking with no anchoring but I feel that my shoulder becomes more tense. I've heard conflicting views so maybe it's just personal preference.

Spot on! personal preference. I like to anchor my little finger and instruct my students to do so as well. But if you ever get the chance to see a Van Halen DVD you'll see that Eddie Van Halen has the oddest picking style where he has absolutely no anchor when picking at an incredibly fast rate.

[angelofdeath]

that time of your life tuition vid is ace