#1
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Ben Howard picking hand position
I don't actually know if this is considered anchoring, but it looks like the wrist is anchored on the picking hand to help with accuracy. It seems like it would work well without killing mobility. Does anyone here use that picking hand position/have any tips. Not sure how he hits the A string without muting the low E string while anchoring his wrist like that. Can see it around 1:45 of the first video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAMZ9k8PR-E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVLxOVFjaBs |
#2
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(At 1:45 he's not actually playing the 6th string, so having it muted is a good idea. Of course it's no problem playing the 6th, later, when he needs to.) Personally, I often anchor my wrist when picking, but usually on the top end of the bridge (corner of the wrist opposite the thumb). That not only helps accuracy, but helps give a more aggressive attack on the strings than the floating wrist position. (I might anchor for playing blues, but probably use a floating position for folk or classical.) Having tried his position - with the wrist flat above the strings, bent so that the fingers still sit at right angles to the strings - it feels weird (I don't use fingerpicks), but I like the fact that the 6th is easily muted (by the thumb) when I play the 5th. You often don't want the 6th to stay ringing when picking the 5th, at least not if your root/key note is on the 5th. It's actually the sideways bend of the wrist that I find uncomfortable about his position, and is why I wouldn't choose it myself. But it obviously works for him - and is a good lesson in finding whatever works for you, to give you the sound and control you need. If you don't like (or don't want) that muting effect on 6th, then use a different position.
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"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen. |
#3
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Pretty bad position in my opinion. He is getting a poor sound. He does not seem to be using it for muting strings, it is just a bad habit. IMHO of course.
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Derek Coombs Youtube -> Website -> Music -> Tabs Guitars by Mark Blanchard, Albert&Mueller, Paul Woolson, Collings, Composite Acoustics, and Derek Coombs "Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Woods hands pick by eye and ear
Made to one with pride and love To be that we hold so dear A voice from heavens above |
#4
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His man bracelet might be scratching the guitar too....
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Beginner/Student Guitar Player Left Handed Player Francisco Navarro Concert Classical Francisco Navarro Student Flamenco Eastman AC708 Sunburst Seagull S6 Cordoba C-5 Fender Strat MIM |
#5
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poor sound....ben howard....really? lol
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#6
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Seems to me Ben keeps his picking hand positioned on the end of his wrist-very convenient.
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#7
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I simply do not understand the proposed notion of stabilizing the hand to pluck something as easy as guitar strings. One would think it similarly necessary to stabilize when tying shoes, buttoning articles of clothing, selecting and removing grapes from the vine, using eating utensils, turning pages in a book, using a keyboard, etc. It isn't necessary and will greatly impede becoming the best one can be. But, then there's always settling for good enough and if that's the argument proffered, I stand corrected. |
#8
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I like Ben Howard...I've heard some of his material, and he was featured in the documentary "Austin To Boston" on Netflix...he was part of a 25 person caravan of 5 VW buses that made a tour after SXSW that ended up in Boston...he's a very talented songwriter and musician...
I've only been playing for a couple of years and even I noticed right away that his style is different from most I've seen...but it suits his material very effectively, and I enjoy listening to and watching him perform... I also remember reading an interview with Martin Simpson where he said he was much more interested in "songwriters, rather than guitar players of extended technique"... Ben Howard hits that mark for me... |
#9
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Maybe he had a guitar fall out of his lap once and swore that would never happen again. Kind of a tone killer though.
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#10
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Definitely would call it anchoring, though plenty of great fingerstylists (& banjo players) anchor or 'reference' the top to some extent.
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Not sure about the context there...maybe he was talking about listening preferences, as opposed to technique preferences. Martin has great technique and, as a teacher, I'd be surprised if he promoted poor technique in his students. |
#11
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Ben Howard seems to be making a decent living in the music business so far, with a playing technique that suits his original material...and I like listening to what he does... I give him kudos for that... Different strokes, you know... |