Picking Obstacle

[HoosierBassist]

Hey everyone,

I play bass with fingers and a pick. I can build up some speed with a pick but then my ring finger (which is freely floating around), digs into the palm of my hand and slows me down. What do I do to make my ring finger not do that? I trimmed my fingernails. But the problem still happens. my pinky doesn't bother me, and i hold the pick with my index and middle finger and thumb.

[Jason P Bass]

Are you gripping the pick very tightly?

[HoosierBassist]

I don't have a death grip on it, but it's not super floppy either.

[makkE]

Maybe this can help:

Make a very fluffy ball out of some paper towel or hankerchief and hold it softly in your palm with your ring and pinky, and use this as an aid to teach your ring and pinky to relax.

I used it to learn curling in my ring and pinky while using fingerstyle, since I had problems with them sticking out.
Now I understand your problem is gripping too tight with your ring finger, but maybe it can help your ringfinger to be more aware of the problem. Could work in both ways maybe