Right Hand Technique

[dhergert]

Maybe this informal clip will show how this new pick posture is working out for me...

[Eric Platt]

This has been a good discussion as I'm also trying to modify my right hand technique. For many years I was using an open hand, kinda sorta based on the Norman Blake style. Unfortunately, on mandolin when trying to play loud and fast, my middle finger was curling up and pushing against the index finger. Hard. Enough to cause discomfort and pain. Cannot figure out why it's happening. And also no idea how to stop it.

So, am experimenting with a closed hand. Not sure if it's going to take. Seems to work better on some mandolins than others. And it's difficult to transition from one instrument to another. Want to keep working on it. Only 25 to 30 years of habit to break.

[dhergert]

It's sort of exciting to change things that are so fundamental, the learning curve brings in lots of other nuances. I'm really glad to have gone through it.

[dhergert]

So in light of some other things that are happening with my hands since the onset of winter, I'm pretty certain the "high string under the index fingernail" situation that inspired my pick-holding posture changes is a part of these more general age related degenerative hand changes. I'm having to also make changes with my picking posture on banjo and with left hand technique on my double bass. The good news is that having successfully gone through these pick-holding posture changes on mandolin, I'm very confident that I can also make the required changes on banjo and double bass. It just takes a little time.

[Bill McCall]

Good for you. My grip change has gone pretty well as well.

Can always learn something when necessity is the driver