Originally Posted by: pureyou're both dead wrong.

the movement of the right hand can be divided into three categories, depending on where the picking motion is generated. the threre possibilities are elbow, wrist, and fingers.

Elbow.
properly developed, this type of movement can produce high speed and precision, including when moving from one string to another. this movement however requires more practice to properly develop the concerned muscles, because the mass of forearm and hand must be moved.

Wrist.
in this case the elbow and forearm dont move, and the picking motion is done by the wrist. this type of movement has two main variations.

1. wrist anchored to the bridge- the wrist and/or the palm of the hand rests on the bridge or other part of the guitar.

2. wrist hovering above the strings- neither the wrist nor the hand touch the guitar.

Finger.
Elbow, forearm, and wrist don't move. the picking motion is generated by the fingers only-- thumb pushing down and index/middle finger pushing up.

each approach has advantages and disadvantages, and they're all used by the best and fastest players in different situations.


the reason the elbow motion is hated so, is because people develop it the wrong way, and eventually screw their muscles.

Actually, I'd say we were closer to both right than "dead wrong," if I read you correctly. I'd like to make a quick correction.

Elbow picking, as you described it, IS the incorrect development. It's hated when it's used in alternate picking. However, when moving from string to string, your forearm and elbow will obviously move up or down in order to bring the pick to the next string. However, the actual act of picking (in alternate picking at least) should be done exclusively with the wrist. It is the technically correct picking method and the most efficient one. It can also produce high speed and precision if you've ever watched John Petrucci or Paul Gilbert play the guitar, and it will do so without possibly injuring your elbow, and allow you to play even faster because MUCH less movement is involved. Speedy playing is all about economy of movement, not power in the forearm and elbow.

I've heard of fingerpicking, but I have to say, controlling a pick with only your fingers is simply a good way to drop your pick, and not have the grip for speedy playing.