Robert, I’ve just watched yesterday’s live stream and want to give you a big thank you for the technique lesson. I'm learning a lot!

You’ve made every effort to explain how to focus on the picking hand. All the things I have to work on! I really appreciate it.

And you talked about memorizing, repetition, trying out different approaches and so on.

I will keep in my mind what you said: „Trying to enjoy the ride“.

I also want to mention that, a few days ago, Clayton told me that there is another way to anchor the picking hand by using the pinky or ring finger to anchor onto the guitar body below the strings. I will try out all these possibilities.

And yes, Robert, your new Gibson sounds really amazing. I’m looking forward hearing your new guitar in many more lessons.

A big thank you again,

Birgit

My apologies to Clayton, but I do not recommend anchoring your picking hand. It leads to more tension in your picking hand. I believe you get greater freedom of movement if you don't. Any part of your hand that is touching the guitar is restricting movement. It's almost too opposite to having your whole arm free, which is way too much freedom of movement. Resting your palm on your bridge/strings gives you muting benefits as well as great support and accuracy in picking.

@robert, @bluesiline, I think we are on the same page.  I was using anchoring as a general term.

YES, I do "Rest(ing) your palm on your bridge/strings gives you muting benefits as well as great support and accuracy in picking." That's exactly my method. 

Literally anchoring on the guitar body using palm or fingers is way too limiting for me.

Ok this picture might make it clearer. Look at the X photo. Anchoring your fingers like that is not something I recommend.

@robert

Robert, the picture makes it much, much clearer. Thanks a lot. From this perspective it’s now really understandable.

I admit, I tried it out with my pinky and it felt good for me. I was convinced that I can stabilize my picking hand. BUT: I wasn’t satisfied with the position of my wrest and didn‘t know why. Now, looking at the X foto I can clearly see why: the distance between the wrist and the guitar body is too big and causes more tension in my picking hand!

Resting the palm on the bridge/strings, however, like the other foto shows, makes the difference.

Trial and error, I’m learning a lot. Talking about all these things opens my mind and will definitely help me now focusing on my neglected picking hand.

And, as you said in your last live stream, I'll "try to enjoy the ride".

Thank you for your help,

Birgit

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the live stream. Thank you for recording it. I've watched part of it and must say... that 335 is a really sweet sounding guitar!!! Congratulations again!