I’m finding that upward pick slanting is incredibly easy (just roll the wrist back a little and it’s like playing “normally” for me) but downward pick slanting is extremely difficult. If I slant the pick downward at all my index finger is rubbing on the next string even before I play a note. When I watch the videos it doesn’t seem like anyone else is having that problem… Any idea what the cause could be?
Thanks.
Hi - thanks for posting! Lots of variables could be causing what you’re describing. The Pickslanting Primer now has tons of good closeups and instructions for getting all these basic variables set up in a way where this should not be an issue.
If you haven’t checked out the pick grip section and new wrist motion sections yet, I recommend giving those a spin. We’ve been uploading new chapters frequently, even this weekend, so these are our absolutely most up-to-date instructions for getting the two most common types of pickstrokes going with the most common joint in picking technique. You can find these new chapters here:
Specifically, I demo all the most common grips with all the most common motions, so almost no matter which of these you’re doing, one of them should be at least similar.
I think the best way to go through this process is to try out all the grips and motions, as I demo them, using exactly the same grip, form, motion, etc. that I’m using. This way you have a super clear visual reference for whether or not you’re really doing what I’m doing. You may eventually decide to go back to whatever grip or motion you are using now, but it can really help to know what it feels like to dial in a setup that just totally works, with no issues, even as just a learning opportunity when you’re trying to sort out basic technique issues like unwanted finger / string contact, arm or hand positions that only work for some motions and not others, and so on.
Any questions, absolutely post them right here. Let us know how you make out.
I know this well. I grew out my nails to play more fingerstyle and I ran into the problem a lot for a bit. I couldn’t figure out what was going on until i noticed a lot of string wear on my index finger nail. My best advice is to tuck your index more. Instead of a round position between index and tumb try turning the index so the nail is more parallel with the length of your thumb.