Pick hand?

[Strange1]

...the right hand for most of you and the left hand for a special few http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif . Was noticing I hold my hand diff than most. my remaining fingers (middle, ring and little) remains open and the pinky rests lightly on the pick guard and my forearm rest lightly on the edge of the mandolin. I noticed that most pickers' remaining (unused) fingers are curled into the palm. I keep my wrist loose and hold the pick very lightly. How about YOU?

Jack

[jim simpson]

I find that my non gripping pick fingers are open. I found my pinky starting to put a mark on a previously owned mando so I put an abbreviated pickguard on it to prevent wear. I have been using the clamp on arm rests and I find that my pinky doesn't come as close to the surface now.

[250sc]

Look at Sam Bush. His fingers are wide open.

I find that I sometimes play with my fingers open and sometime closed.

[250sc]

Look at Sam Bush. His fingers are wide open.

I find that I sometimes play with my fingers open and sometime closed.

[bluegrassplayer]

I play with my fingers open.

[otterly2k]

I'm an open hand finger dragger too... that's why I prefer to have a fingerrest/pickguard to avoid messing up the top. I had Bill B. add one to my Old Wave b/c the previous owner was clearly a pinky planter, and had left a worn spot on the top.

[arbarnhart]

I do tend to curl mine toward my palm, but not quite touching (not clenching). If I ever hit a solo perfect, I guess I am prepared to punch my fist in the air a la McCartney. Hasn't happened yet, so I am not sure... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[lkb3rd]

I use the loose fist, and occasionally open it and drag the tips of one or two fingers if i'm trying to play really fast. Generally i take that as a sign i need more pratice on that part.

[Strange1]

Hm... I guess more use the open or relaxed hand style than I thought. Thanx for the feedback. BTW, If I remember correctly, Jethro also used the open hand style some too.

Jack

[straight-a]

Closed fingers and no plant for me. Just felt natural. Total opposite on guitar though. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[jackofall]

Sometimes loosely closed, but more often fairly open.

I wondered if it was just my inexperience that accounted for the open hand. I always noticed the same thing when I played guitar though - the other gitbox players all seemed to have these neatly curled picking hands, while mine splayed out like the fingers of a crazy person... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[gnelson651]

I like the loose fist because it gives a better foundation for picking.

Try this experiment:

Hold you thumb and index finger together, as if you where holding your pick, and the other fingers open. Now push down with your thumb and feel how much give there is(index finger is pushed or mashed down easily).

Next while in the same postion thumb/index fingerpick grip, make a loose fist. Now push down and feel little give, there is a more solid feel, thus providing a stronger foundation for greater pick pressure against the strings.

I've found that this foundation gives me a louder tone because my index finger doesn't have that give or downward motion.

Just some food for thought. . .

[Strange1]

Very well said, Glenn. My feelings exactly. I hadn't really thought of it that way but when I next picked after reading your post I realized the truth in your post. Henceforth I will plagiarize your words and and explain my preference that way. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Jack

[gnelson651]

Very well said, Glenn. My feelings exactly. #I hadn't really thought of it that way but when I next picked after reading your post I realized the truth in your post. Henceforth I will plagiarize your words and and explain my preference that way. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Jack
Thanks Jack #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Go right ahead and use my words, no plagiarizism needed.

I should have added that for me the loose fist allows for a more relaxed grip and hence loose wrist because I don't have to tense up my index finger to generate more sound. I also like to give my pick a slight angle by pointing my thumb nail toward the stomach where I can look down and see the flat top of the nail.

This method gives me a better and smoother tremelo, too.

[arbarnhart]

Hmmm...
That does make sense.

But I am still going with the McCartney thing. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jmcgann]

I learned stuff from Andy Statman and Russ Barenberg that was very helpful indeed. (http://www.johnmcgann.com/techtips.html)

[mandroid]

Metaphor given, skater in a spin pulls arms in to go around faster,, fist on pick better than loose open hand grip.
not quite angular momentum, but an image was imparted.. stuck..

[lkb3rd]

I like that. It's definitely true that the more closed your hand is, the less extra weight you are flinging around.
Yea, Sam Bush doesn't do it that way, but i sure as hell ain't Sam Bush http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif and want every little bit of advantage i can get
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[gnelson651]

I learned stuff from Andy Statman and Russ Barenberg that was very helpful indeed. (http://www.johnmcgann.com/techtips.html)
I knew I plagiarized some of this stuff from somewhere. Just couldn't remember where! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif