Closed vs open picking hand

[Willy25]

Im still trying to decide my technique. The players that dont anchor and use a closed picking hand, how do you guys do it so your knuckles or part of the fingers dont touch the strings when palm muting? Or is it normal? Does it affect sound? The only thing I like about it is that im less tense and more faster. Also would it be hard to switch to tapping or using a trem system? Sorry still a beginner, my mistake was starting to play things fast.

 

[dave74]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I use open-hand but try to not anchor around the ring or pickup. I used to sort-of anchor (more of a rest than anchor) around the bottom edge of the ring but have finally and thankfully broken the habit so now it's more comfortable and relaxed, plus now it doesn't "mess with me" when I'm on guitars with direct-mount pickups.

 

[Korvanjund]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I'm always using an open hand when playing rhythms, if you use palm mutes very liberally it's certainly a more comfortable and it's helpful to have one or two fingers anchor down, to keep consistent in picking and palm Muting position. As far as leads go, I also use open hand to keep things quieter when playing fast or sweeping or anywhere where you may trigger unwanted noise. The ease of tapping is only really utilised if you're tapping the very highest frets very quickly as it takes almost no time to unfurl your fingers for longer runs. But at the end of the day you can get used to either.

 

[emilio]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I use an open hand. it's mucho more comfortable in my opinion. Also when arpeggiating, I use my pinky, not as an anchor, but more as a feeler. This gives me reference and control. If I'm riffing out, I don't use it at all.

 

[Diego]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

Closed hand. It feels more controlled to me, and there's less chances of involuntarily picking strings.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

Open hand anchor usually, I think.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

Open-hand rhythm, pinky anchor on single-note lines.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

Closed always, as I do a lot of hybrid picking, and I don't want to have to change my right hand for different techniques. The only part that touches the top of the guitar is the forearm, so when I switch to acoustic, I don't deaden the top vibrations.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

Mostly open hand, pinky anchor on the pickup rings for anything fast or technical.

I've tried closed hand before, but I almost always end up rubbing the strings with my knuckles by accident. And there's just something satisfying about anchoring on the guitar, gives me the illusion of more control

 

[Blille]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

Closed. But there's no right answer imho.

I think I may have a Gambale book explaining it. If I find it I'll take a pic and put it here.


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[HotHead]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I'm a metal guy, so open hand with pinky anchored is my default. Especially while playing rhythms, a closed fist would make them extremely difficult to play. However, I feel like my technique doesn't translate well to acoustic. Especially because I'm used to playing more towards the bridge, which takes a lot of the body away from the strings. I feel like the closed fist, non-anchored just sounds better on an acoustic. I'm trying to get on top of that and try to pick more non-chalantly on acoustic.

 

[Lovegun]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I use open hand. I gently mute the strings I'm not playing with the side of my palm or the side of my pinky depending if I play the low or high strings. I think I picked it up from Kirk Hammett.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I use both...for vigorous strumming I tend to open up my hand and for single note picked lines where I need greater accuracy I close the fist. But yeah, I find myself overthinking it a lot. It tends to screw me up.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

Closed hand. It feels more controlled to me, and there's less chances of involuntarily picking strings.

+1. More natural/comfortable & my fingers aren't where I don't want them to be. But basically, it's what you've gotten into the habit of, whatever works.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I've developed this whole Willie Adler closed hand rigamortis type technique, so don't look to me for any tips...

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I am starting to wonder if I'm the only person who NEVER thought about this before! [emoji12]

In fact, I've paid so little attention to the idea of closed-hand or open-hand, that I couldn't really decide which way I play until I got home and actually tried it, and I've been playing for over 30 years!

Closed-hand… all the way.

I even tried to make myself play open-handed, but just ended up asking myself, "Why in the HELL would ANYBODY want to play this way?" No control and very uncomfortable.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I am starting to wonder if I'm the only person who NEVER thought about this before! [emoji12]

In fact, I've paid so little attention to the idea of closed-hand or open-hand, that I couldn't really decide which way I play until I got home and actually tried it, and I've been playing for over 30 years!

Closed-hand… all the way.

I even tried to make myself play open-handed, but just ended up asking myself, "Why in the HELL would ANYBODY want to play this way?" No control and very uncomfortable.

Up until recently I never gave it much thought either. I've also been playing 30 years.
I started to try to work on improving my alternate picking technique and came across a bunch of YouTube vids with people talking about open/closed hand techniques.
I had always used open hand but soon came to realize that I was more accurate with a close hand. But I'm still in the phases where it isn't automatic just yet. Also I find that open hand can still be effective for other techniques such as strumming.
I suppose at the end of the day whichever way get the desired result is the best way. There's no "one" right way.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I wonder how many people developed what they use because their guitar heroes played like that....for me, it was about efficiency: I don't want different techniques to play different things. I want one way I can adapt to everything, no matter if it is hybrid picking, sweep picking, fast chromatic 1 string things, or muting.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Closed vs open picking hand

I tend to hold the pick with thumb and index finger and rest the bottom edge of my palm that's parallel to the thumb on top of the strings to mute them as needed. Can't imagine playing while holding the pick in what amounts to a closed fist.

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[BriGuy1968]

Closed vs open picking hand

I tend to hold the pick with thumb and index finger and rest the bottom edge of my palm that's parallel to the thumb on top of the strings to mute them as needed. Can't imagine playing while holding the pick in what amounts to a closed fist.

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What you're talking about sounds a lot like how I would actually describe my hand when holding a pick if I were to be quite detailed. I decided to call it "closed" because my I saw my hand as being more closed than open, but the reality is that it's actually "loosely closed." I can't imagine playing with a pick in a fist either!