Where Do You Rest Your Hand When Picking?

Where do you rest your hand when picking?

Where you rest your hand can significantly impact your playing technique, comfort, and tone. The placement of your picking hand involves a balance between control and flexibility. Some guitarists rest their hand lightly on the bridge for stability, while others may float their hand above the strings for greater freedom of movement. Factors such as the style of music, the specific guitar being used, and personal preference all play a role in determining the optimal hand placement. Understanding these nuances can help you refine your technique and enhance your overall playing experience.

Introduction

If you’re like most players, you’ve probably encountered this dilemma more than once. Maybe you’re trying to emulate your favorite guitarist or bassist, or perhaps you’re just experimenting to find what feels right for you. Either way, rest assured, this is a perfectly common query among musicians.

Your picking hand plays an instrumental role—pun intended—in your playing. It’s the driving force behind your strumming, picking, and overall musical expression. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of where you should rest your hand while picking, how it impacts your play, and the benefits of different techniques.

Why Hand Position Matters

Tone and Dynamics

Choosing where to rest your hand doesn’t just affect physical comfort; it significantly impacts your tone and dynamics. The angle, position, and pressure of your picking hand can make your notes sound brighter, fuller, or more muted.

Playing Style

Your hand rest position can influence your playing style. Whether you’re into shredding, fingerpicking, or strumming, the positioning can either make your life easier or more challenging. Imagine trying to fingerpick with your hand in the wrong spot—it’s like attempting to write with your non-dominant hand.

Ergonomics

Bad hand positioning can lead to strain and even injury over time. Nobody wants to end up with carpal tunnel syndrome from practicing “Stairway to Heaven” for the thousandth time. Proper positioning helps avoid unnecessary strain and enhances your endurance.

Common Hand Rest Positions

Floating Hand

The floating hand technique implies exactly what it sounds like—your hand doesn’t rest on the body of the guitar or bass.

Pros	Cons
Allows the most freedom of movement	Harder to maintain control
Ideal for strumming and sweeping	Can be tiring for long sessions

Anchored Pinky

Here, you rest your pinky finger on the pickguard or body of your guitar. This technique gives you a reference point, which helps in maintaining consistent strumming or picking.

Pros	Cons
Provides stability	Can limit range of motion
Good for precision picking	Might cause tension in fingers

Palm Muting

Palm muting involves resting the edge of your palm on the strings near the bridge. It’s commonly used to create a muted, percussive sound.

Pros	Cons
Creates distinct, percussive sounds	Limits dynamic range
Good for rhythm playing	Can be challenging to maintain accuracy

Thumb Rest

Bass players, this one’s for you. The thumb rest technique sees the thumb anchored on the edge of the pickguard or a dedicated thumb rest.

Pros	Cons
Provides excellent control	Limits freedom for thumb movement
Great for fingerstyle	Can be restrictive over longer sessions

Techniques to Improve Your Picking

Practice Slow

Slowing down is underrated. If you’re working on your hand positioning, take your time to get it right. Practice at a slow tempo to ensure you’re forming good habits. You’ll thank yourself when you crank up the speed without compromising your technique.

Use a Mirror

Yes, it sounds vain, but using a mirror can help you see what you’re doing wrong. You might feel like you’re hand-modeling for Instagram, but it’s incredibly beneficial for identifying tension and poor positioning.

Recording Yourself

Another method to check for errors is to record yourself. Video, in particular, lets you play it back and scrutinize your technique. You might spot areas where your form needs improvement—like a sports coach analyzing game footage.

Popular Guitarists and Their Hand Positions

Ever wondered how the pros do it? Here’s a look at where some famous guitarists rest their picking hand:

Guitarist	Hand Position	Why It Works
Eddie Van Halen	Floating Hand	Allows for rapid tapping and movement
Mark Knopfler	Anchored Pinky	Provides precision for fingerstyle picking
James Hetfield	Palm Muting	Creates that classic heavy metal chug

Exercises to Find Your Ideal Hand Position

String Skipping

Practicing string skipping can help you determine the most comfortable hand position for accurate picking. It forces you to move your hand while ensuring precision—a win-win!

1. Start slow, focusing on clean, precise notes.
2. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking helps in understanding how your hand responds to repetitive motion.

1. Use a metronome to keep a consistent tempo.
2. Experiment with different hand positions until you find one that minimizes fatigue.

Alternate Picking

This technique requires your hand to move fluidly across the strings, making it an excellent exercise for finding an ergonomic hand position.

1. Start with a simple up-down pick motion.
2. Increase complexity by incorporating scales or arpeggios.

Adapting Hand Position Based on Play Style

Fingerstyle

In fingerstyle, having a fixed reference point for your hand can be beneficial, but your fingers need freedom. Resting your thumb on a lower string or the edge of the pickguard while keeping the other fingers poised is often optimal.

Hybrid Picking

Combining pick and fingers can be tricky. Rest your palm lightly on the bridge for stability while keeping your fingers agile.

Fully Electric Vs. Acoustic

If you’re switching between electric and acoustic, you’ll notice that the hand rest position can vary. Acoustic guitars often have a thicker body, which might make resting your hand on the bridge less comfortable. Adapt your positioning to best suit the instrument.

Adjusting for Different Types of Music

Rock and Metal

For these genres, palm muting is almost a staple. Having your hand near the bridge not only aids in muting but also allows quick transition between muted and open notes—ideal for those powerful riffs.

Jazz and Blues

These genres often benefit from a floating hand position to allow for rapid changes in dynamics and fluid motion across the strings.

Classical

Classical guitarists swear by a more anchored approach, with the thumb often resting on the back of the neck for more intricate finger picking.

Tools and Gadgets to Assist

Thumb Picks

If you’re into fingerpicking but crave the stability of a pick, thumb picks are a boon. They wrap around your thumb, leaving your other fingers free for intricate work.

Ergonomic Picks

Designed to make holding and maneuvering easier, these picks have contours that fit comfortably between your fingers, reducing strain.

Guitar Supports

These can be lifesavers if you’re practicing for long periods. Some supports attach to the guitar body, giving you a better angle to rest your hand comfortably.

Addressing Common Issues

Tension

Tension in your hand can be the bane of your existence. If you find your hand cramping, check your thumb position. It should be relaxed, not pressing down hard. Take frequent breaks and do hand stretches.

Inconsistent Tone

Lousy tone can sometimes be traced back to poor hand positioning. Make sure your picking hand remains relaxed and fluid, adjusting as needed until you find that sweet spot.

Missing Strings

If you’re constantly missing strings while picking, check your elbow position. It should be loose, allowing your hand to naturally move across the strings.

Tips from the Pros

John Petrucci on Relaxation

John Petrucci emphasizes the importance of relaxation. He often suggests practicing without a pick to force a lighter touch.

Steve Vai on Anchoring

Steve Vai recommends focusing on wrist motion rather than whole-arm movements. He uses an anchored pinky for precision and control.

Paul Gilbert on Movement

Paul Gilbert advises practicing in front of a mirror to ensure minimal, efficient movements. He uses both floating and anchored positions depending on the song.

Personal Experience and Experimentation

Ultimately, the “right” position varies from person to person. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Adjust based on the type of music you’re playing and how your body feels.

Journaling Your Progress

Keep a practice journal noting how different positions feel during different songs or techniques. Over time, you’ll notice patterns that can guide you to the best hand positioning for your style.

Regular Adjustments

Don’t hesitate to tweak your positioning regularly. What works for one song or technique may not be optimal for another. Flexibility is key.

Conclusion

Where you rest your hand when picking might seem like a simple matter, but it holds the power to transform your playing. From tone and dynamics to comfort and style, every aspect is influenced by this small but crucial detail.

Experiment with different positions, be mindful of tension, and make adjustments as needed. A little focus on your hand positioning can go a long way in making your musical journey smoother and more enjoyable. So, where will you rest your hand the next time you pick up your instrument?