Right Hand Picking Position

[zbalz]

I know that Stonedragon said that the right hand picking position doesnt matter as long as one is comfortable (in chapter one). However, I noticed that many popular guitarists pick like Stonedragon does in that picture (in chapter one) while I pick with a closed fist. Should I worry about this or should I just play whatever feels comfortable?

Thanks
-Zbalz

[StoneDragon]

I think as long as your not talking about a "tightly closed" fist.... then you are alright. Tension in the fingers, hand, wrist, arm or shoulder is the enemy.

I play with my fingers loosely curled (like I'm holding an imaginary broom stick) way more than I play with my fingers splayed like in that picture. That was just the only good picture of my picking hand that I had.

[MrSamson]

My two bits is this...

I never worried about it when I first started because it was all I could do to focus just on picking....

But..I naturally picked with the bottom three fingers of my picking hand relatively open...and thank goodness I did because now...for a different sound or more emphasis...I will actually pick with those open fingers to give a note more emphasis and punch...a la country guitar...

The sound of flesh on the strings is drastically different then a pick...and it is nice...when you start getting comfortable with things...to be able to throw that style in...even if you are not a country player...

Soooo....I recommend having the picking hand relatively open...

http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/devil.gif

[zbalz]

Thats another thing, do you guys suggest a certain time when I should start trying to learn fingerpicking rather than focusing 100% on picking (...or should I just do it when it feels comfortable)? Of course I wouldnt drop everything and learn how to fingerpick but Id like to learn it sometime.

Thanks

-zbalz

[StoneDragon]

I don't think you should worry too much about it. If you feel like fingerpicking... then fingerpick. If you feel like flatpicking... then flatpick.

It's all good.