Hey Neil,
I have been concentrating on fingerstyle and can't seem to stop my pinky finger from anchoring on the sound board. I see that you don't really recommend this I can see why it does lead to fatigue. Any suggestions for breaking this habit?
Anchoring Right Hand When Finger Picking
Great question Mauro, I was just about to ask the same question. I actually saw a video lesson from a fingerpicker who said that was the way to do it.
So, I would like to add to the question, if I may, does it matter if you anchor the pinky finger?
Keep Playing
Ric
So, I would like to add to the question, if I may, does it matter if you anchor the pinky finger?
Keep Playing
Ric
Anchoring your little finger when fingerpicking is very common among players. Whether or not it is a good idea depends on a few things, the main one being how many fingers you pick with. Some early blues players, like Rev. Gary Davis and even Merle Travis only used their index finger (along with the thumb of course) and anchored the rest of their fingers.
Players who use two fingers, index and middle, frequently anchor as well. Stefan Grossman claims that this allows him to hit the strings harder. He has a very heavy handed approach to playing and seems to think the more buzzes and snaps, the better.
I teach people to use three fingers in the classical style, no anchor. When your ring finger is part of the team, anchoring your little finger hinders its range of motion. A good range of motion gives you a lot of control over the sound of every note, and even lets you change where you hit the strings, i.e. near the bridge, over the sound hole, or even over the fingerboard. I probably shouldn't even mention playing artificial harmonics (using your right hand alone for a harmonic while your left hand frets a note).
Guitarists who use this technique include John Renbourn, Keola Beamer, and Laurence Juber. These are players who get a great sound and quite a range of tonal variations.
In general, there are no advantages to anchoring your little finger but there are some disadvantages. It is a habit worth correcting. As a matter of fact, my son Coree, is dealing with this and other hand position problems right now.
Neil
Players who use two fingers, index and middle, frequently anchor as well. Stefan Grossman claims that this allows him to hit the strings harder. He has a very heavy handed approach to playing and seems to think the more buzzes and snaps, the better.
I teach people to use three fingers in the classical style, no anchor. When your ring finger is part of the team, anchoring your little finger hinders its range of motion. A good range of motion gives you a lot of control over the sound of every note, and even lets you change where you hit the strings, i.e. near the bridge, over the sound hole, or even over the fingerboard. I probably shouldn't even mention playing artificial harmonics (using your right hand alone for a harmonic while your left hand frets a note).
Guitarists who use this technique include John Renbourn, Keola Beamer, and Laurence Juber. These are players who get a great sound and quite a range of tonal variations.
In general, there are no advantages to anchoring your little finger but there are some disadvantages. It is a habit worth correcting. As a matter of fact, my son Coree, is dealing with this and other hand position problems right now.
Neil