How do you hold your plucking fingers?

[Wootsticks]

Do you have them close together...



Splayed out...



Or somewhere in between?



For me, most of the time it's somewhere in between. If I'm playing something soulful with a groove my fingers get close together. If it's like Iron Maiden or something repetitive I'll have my fingers farther apart, but not as far out as in the splayed out picture.

EDIT: I also play with three fingers sometimes.

[mellowgerman]

usually close together because i like to pluck with two fingers simultaneously most of the time to get me a nicer, thumpier sound. it's only when i do the real fast runs and i need both that i alternate. interesting inquiry though

[Mark Wilson]

Close together, and right near the bridge.

[nysbob]

Just straight out - too splayed or close will slow you down.

I play with three all the time.

[MrBorisSpider]

Close-together for economy of motion.

[GavinScott]

close together, i don't know why i just do it... not as close as pictured tho. i usually tend to play closer to the bridge tho

[Deacon_Blues]

As close as I can without the fingers rubbing against each other.

[cossie]

As close together as possible, I've started using both fingers to pluck a note lately when I play with my fingers - it seems to have a nice "rounded" sound.

[stratovani]

Somewhere in between, with my fingers hanging naturally, usually directly over the pickup.

[Erick Lam]

Originally Posted by nysbob

Just straight out - too splayed or close will slow you down.

I play with three all the time.

You'll play faster by plucking with one finger after the other.

[low-endz]

Originally Posted by nysbob

Just straight out - too splayed or close will slow you down.

I play with three all the time.

Same here exept I use 3 for fast triplets, I gallop with 2 tho

[PaulMacCnj]

Both fingers close together. This also keeps the tone more consistent. For instance, playing 8ths on a single string, single note. If the fingers are far apart then each pluck is going to sound quite different.

[MikeVQ]

Depends. If I'm using a softer attack, I tend to keep the fingers closer together, but if I'm going for a harder attack my fingers spread out more.

[capnsandwich]

I usually put my thumb over the low B string and dangle my fingers over the neck pickup. I also use 3 fingers to pluck on occasion and even get my thumb involved in the action.

[jayarroz]

it doesn't matter! Don't think about it your body will do what it needs to make the sound. Use your shoulder and back more to get a better pull for whatever fingers you use. You can start wide, together, or straight but its what they do right at the impact on the string. Focus more on pulling through the string. Closer to the neck more tone closer to the bridge tighter sound, but you can move quicker, use all of them!!

[artistanbul]

I' dont anchor too static, but I prefer upper string. Keep them close. usually near bridge. Pinky curled all the way up.

[ProgRapture]

Usually in between, but where I position them depends on where I'm playing. If I'm on the lower strings I'm usually right above the neck pickup for a heavier sound, while on higher strings I'm more near the bridge for a more focused attack.

[seanm]

Close together. And I play near the neck.

[Valerus]

More of a medium. I rest towards the center between the neck and the bridge, usually hovering over the neck pup

[BigBud]

I've kinda gotten into using all 4. I think it's called the crab walk or something. Occasionally find myself plucking singly with my pinkie. For many years it was just the 2 though, and close together....Bud