Holding a pick when strumming vs. picking

[handybh]

Hey everybody,

I'm working on stage 6 of the beginners course when Justin introduces picking.  My question is: should I be holding the pick the same way I do when I strum?  He says that I should use my pinky as an anchor, and while I want to, I find that it changes my grip on the pick a little bit due to my hand stretching.  Is this OK?

Thanks!!!

[davyboy]

I think its just something to just feel whats right for you.  I normally just slightly change the angle between strumming and picking.  When I started to pick I help the pick quite ridgedly, but gradually I learned to slacken the pick just as much as when I strum and found this a great improvement.

[mumbles]

I believe the reason most players anchor is for precision and consistency when they pick individual notes. The change of grip you describe is only a problem if it adversely affects the tone you produce when you pick and/or you can't make a smooth transition out of it to continue playing passages without the anchor.