Palm behind the bridge?

[NewSong]

I recently attended the Wintergrass Academy, at which I asked Shawn Lane the following question: I notice that when I lightly plant my palm behind the bridge, I am able to pick with greater fluidity and speed. I've heard mixed reviews about this habit, what do you think? Is it detrimental in the long-term or is it an acceptable practice? His response was that, if it helped me sound better (which, again, it seems to), I should go with it. I am hoping that y'all could chime in with your opinions. I don't want to "just go with it," if it's only going to build a bad habit that I'll regret down the road. On the other hand, if it's no big deal... well, then I will "just go with it."

[Peter Hackman]

I recently attended the Wintergrass Academy, at which I asked Shawn Lane the following question: #I notice that when I lightly plant my palm behind the bridge, I am able to pick with greater fluidity and speed. #I've heard mixed reviews about this habit, what do you think? #Is it detrimental in the long-term or is it an acceptable practice? #His response was that, if it helped me sound better (which, again, it seems to), I should go with it. #I am hoping that y'all could chime in with your opinions. #I don't want to "just go with it," if it's only going to build a bad habit that I'll regret down the road. #On the other hand, if it's no big deal... well, then I will "just go with it."

There have been several threads on this. Look further down.
Seems most players agree on the important distinction between
"brushing", "touching", "dragging" on the one hand,
"posting", "planting", "bracing", "anchoring" on the other.

Floating is probably best of all if you can achieve it.

[JeffD]

The only issue I can see with palm planting, as opposed to pinky planting - is that I like to pick at various places up the strings, from down near the bridge to sometimes right up to the 12th fret. Planting my palm would limit my range. Planting or dragging my pinky seems to work better for me.

[Tim2723]

As Pete mentioned, I've seen a number of discussions here and elsewhere on this topic. A lot depends on what you're doing and why you're doing it. Any habbit can become a bad one if it interferes with what you're trying to accomplish or if it limits your ability to progress as a player. I put the heal of my hand behind the bridge sometimes, and I put my fourth finger on the soundboard sometimes, but only when it helps me do what I have to do. I know that if I do it all the time for everything it might be a hinderance, but ya still got to get the music out.

[devilstone_the_bard]

When I am chording /chopping etc, I definitely float, when I pick slowly (and with *feeling* like Amazing Grace or Greensleeves), I float, if I have to pick something fast or hard (as in I am learning the line and it's hard for me, not physically hitting the strings with great force ) I tend to rest my hand, dunno if I am doing it for speed or to just let my picking hand get (and keep) my bearings.

Again, I'm newer to all this and it seems once I have a fast / hard run "down pat" I tend to not need to rest my palm behind the bridge...

[Ken Sager]

Don't do it. Learn to play with as free a hand as possible.

Best,
Ken

[Mandomax]

what Ken said. I had to unlearn it, and it took a while, but it was well worth it. Definite tone killer. Record yourself playing the same thing with palm on and palm off. This made it abundantly clear to me that it was time to make the switch. I have and have never looked back.

[Peter Hackman]

Touching the strings behind the bridge doesn't affect the tone as long
as it doesn't impede the mobility of your right hand. But, again, don't
plant

[rhess595]

Is planting the small finger also bad for tremolo?

[Jerry Byers]

Record yourself playing the same thing with palm on and palm off. This made it abundantly clear to me that it was time to make the switch.

Do you have audio samples?

[Doug Edwards]

I'm not trying to promote anything, but an armrest helps me with the problem. I find my hand in a better and more stable position (off the bridge)when using an armrest. My pickguard also helps by keeping me from planting my pinkie on the top. I just brush the top of the pickguard with my hand, providing me with a reference point. Each to thier own I suppose.

[MandoSquirrel]

Is planting the small finger also bad for tremolo?

Definitely, and everything else as well, except Maybe for crosspicking.

[JeffD]

Is planting the small finger also bad for tremolo?

Does planting include brushing?

I plant my pinky for melody, but when I tremolo I just let my pinky brush against the pick guard i.e. touch with no pressure, no weight bearing.

It would impede my tremolo to firmly plant, as I use my whole hand, wrist, and forearm to tremolo.


Regarding planting in general, there seem to be equal and opposite super star mandolin performers on this. The preponderance of the expertise seems to be against, but it is by no means agreed upon.

Regarding the superstar mandolin performers who are firm pinky planters - the arguement seems to be - how much better they could be - or how much easier it may have been to be that good, had they not planted.

I honestly don't know.

If I could only ever get as good Jethro Burns I would be better than I could imagine in one life time.

[MandoSquirrel]

Regarding planting in general, there seem to be equal and opposite super star mandolin performers on this. The preponderance of the expertise seems to be against, but it is by no means agreed upon.

Regarding the superstar mandolin performers who are firm pinky planters - the arguement seems to be - how much better they could be - or how much easier it may have been to be that good, had they not planted.

I honestly don't know.

The "Golden Era" method writers, such as Bickford taught the free floating pick hand; I'm of the "how much better they could be - or how much easier it may have been to be that good" camp.

quote "If I could only ever get as good Jethro Burns I would be better than I could imagine in one life time."

Then you'd dream of becoming half as good as Dave Apollon

[JeffD]

Then you'd dream of becoming half as good as Dave Apollon

OMG you got that right. He is a great example of a non-planter. His right hand just flies.

He is the Mt Everest. I get nose bleed on the garage roof.

[incoserv]

Wow, I logged on to the msg. board to ask exactly this question. I've been wondering about it for a few days now. At this point, I know that I do have substantially more control and precision if I let my palm rest lightly on the strings behind the the bridge, but like Newsong have worried that it might be a hinderance later. I'll search for more posts on it.

Thanks,
Scott