Anchoring the pinky while picking?

[1940andy]

I was watching some live Incubus vids, and something intrigued me about how Ben plays his bass. It appears as though he's holding it with only his index and thumb, but his middle finger is sticking out sort of? It also kind of looks like his pinky is anchored to the bottom of the bridge pickup. Is this a popular way to play? I've never had good picking hand form, and I'd like that to change. =)

[Ray C Parrish]

I would suggest not starting that. Most good teachers will never allow you to "anchor" your hand with a pinky etc. Most great players incourage a floating picking hand. While I use the word "picking hand" I don't mean you should use a pick.

[fretlessman71]

Jason Newsted anchors his pinky on the G string when he plays. I picked up the habit from watching him. It adds to downstroke play, i.e. if I'm just doing downstrokes for a rock "ride the A note" kind of groove. But generally I agree with Ray C Parrish. You'll never develop much speed or dexterity with your pinky holding you down.

[ninefingerbass]

I did that years and years ago when I first started playing. Though you can still play it's a very bad habit in that in can limit your playing to soe extent. I pulled away from it and found that it was much better for me. To each his own though.

[1940andy]

That's what I don't get though: Some of the posts in here state that it's bad, that you can't build up good speed and such, but I watch Ben Kenney use this technique, and he rips. He plays super fast sometimes and does stuff I sure know I couldn't.

[Dave Muscato]

Anchoring diminishes dexterity in your other fingers. If you can help it, avoid anchoring. Observe classical guitarists for an example of excellent right-hand technique.

Gary Willis technique/lesson vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u82A7ILPKHE

[Nick Kay]

When you're playing really aggressively with a pick, your hand is going to want to hook that pinky around something - it feels more natural, IMO. It helps you gain control when you're putting all that power into it. But, truth be told, you should never be playing hard enough to REQUIRE an anchor. Avoid it if at all possible. I'm guilty of it myself sometimes, but I have a lot more dexterity if I'm not holding myself down like that.

Anchoring with your palm on the bridge is fine, though. You don't tend to hold that as tightly, and it doesn't affect your hand shape if you have to move to another position to play different strings. It's somewhat like the floating thumb in finger style, where you move your thumb to rest on the string below the one you're playing. It won't allow the absolute freedom of movement of a floating style, but it's as close as you're going to get while retaining muting ability in your right hand.