look at this video - (forward a minute or so)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbXnEvQ0xZM

I've noticed Ben Nichols and some other artists I like do this - they flatpick with that pinky (and sometimes the ring finger) braced against the guitar

is that for flatpicking control? - I admit I get a bit sloppy on my flatpicking - but it's tough to play that way for me - just curious of anyone else tries it or has any advice - I think he gets a nice rhythmic technique out of it - (of course, i've also seen flatpick some interesting rhythm the other way too) -

if you guys have seen a video or an instructional video on that technique I'd like to hear about it

RB

I wasn't sure if I did it or not, so I had to pick up my guitar.

I guess I do do it. idk why, I guess it just developed naturally for control. My advice would be to not focus on it at all and just focus on your index and thumb - the pick I'm talking about. Just focus on picking the correct strings and let your other fingers do whatever they want to.

That said, here's probably about as good a video as any on picking.

Unless I'm doing some wider strumming I usually anchor my pinky, but it'll slide around a bit. Not something I actively think about but it's enough to have to move knobs away from the bridge on my guitars, that first volume knob on Strats in particular.

You mod them to get the knobs out of the way?

I use all four fingers. I find it really necessary to play with my pinky, though I do practice NOT using it as an exercise. I really don't find myself having to "anchor" my picking hand to the guitar body... it only limits my range.

Most guitarists I've talked to advise against anchoring, as do the forum folks on UG. The argument they often use is that it's limiting and that you should use the strings as reference points instead, that it's much better.
However there are plenty of great guitarists who do anchor the pinky

I just realized I kind of do. I've tried to consciously practice without doing it but it has "just happened" probably because I palm mute all the time and parts of my hand are always touching the guitar

As long as you don't use any force with it, it's probably OK

I do realize I have a problem maybe because of this when string skipping especially if tremolo. Gonna try to work it out

Drives traditional Strat guys up the wall to see this but so much more comfortable. One tone knob controls both.

I tried it without a tone knob once too, but I missed it before long.

I don't have any problems with the volume knob. I naturally pick between the neck and middle pickup though so others who naturally pick lower might have problems with it. Jimi Hendrix naturally picked between the bridge and middle, but he played lefty on a righty guitar and the knobs were up top as opposed to on the bottom.

I think people shouldn't get too caught up on stuff like should I or should I not anchor my pinky? Where should I pick the strings at? Just let your own natural preference develop imo.

I pick between the neck and mid pickups, and I anchor my hand against the body when I play. I play well that way and it's comfortable and natural to me, why should I fret over it at all?

Puns are cool.