Right Hand Basics

[Alan Ford]

After being away from playing for 30 years, I have taken up playing again, and I am re-starting at the very beginning. In doing so, I took notice that in every instructional video I watch, the player picks the string nearest his thumb with his index finger, and the string furthest from his thumb with his middle finger.

After years of fingerpicking six string guitars, my muscle memory is accustomed to just the reverse for picking. I tried to follow their example but it just does not feel comfortable or natural. I have no problem picking chords, double stops, or single strings the way it feels natural. After doing some online research, it is appearing to me that it really won't have an adverse effect on anything down the road, just as long as it doesn't interfere with proper palm muting.

Here are my questions:
1. Are their any other players out there that pick the way I do?
2. Are there any reasons I haven't thought of that should make me change?

Thanks in advanve for your feedback,
Alan Ford

[Bill McCloskey]

i'm trying to understand what you are saying. If you are picking string 8, 6, 5 you would play 8 with the thumb, 6 with the middle finger and 5 with the forefinger? That would seem very awkward to me, even as a regular guitarist. You might want to look at Jeff Newman's Right Hand Alpha video which is available online https://youtu.be/W9B9Kc7-sdw?si=ciMNRpXmKcfHnyei

[Alan Ford]

Bill McCloskey,

I appreciate your reply. I have viewed Jeff Newman, Jeff Rady, and many others. You are correct. That's the way they play. And for me, that is just not natural or comfortable.

With that said, thank you for the link. I am going to follow along with Jeff on this is see where it takes me. I'll post a followup later. Thanks again brother!

[Bill McCloskey]

As Jeff points out. It will seem awkward at first but stick with it

[Doug Taylor]

Johnny Up on YouTube has a new series of videos on palm blocking. I just watched the first 2.

Looks a little different than Jeff Newmans approach. I have spent a lot of time with Right Hand Alpha but this might be worth a look!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_KdbliT_4

[Alan Ford]

Thanks Doug, I'll take a look.