I've been playing for two years now, and for about three quarters of that time, i've been resting my picking hand on the bridge when i'm not strumming. Then my guitar teacher told me I should float my hand over the strings and anchor it with my pinky, so I switched to that way and it just feels so unnatural.
Is the difference an actual technique issue or is it just preference?

I'd definetly have to say it's a preference. You can play guitar however you want, what you should focus on is the sound. What makes it sound better? What helps you play better?

You play however feels comfortable.

But, there are just as many guitarists who rest thier hand on the bridge as there are guitarists who anchor with thier pinky.

I personally rest my hand on the bridge, because I play a lot of metal, and only need to move my hand a little bit to go from regular to palm mute. A friend of mine does both, he has his hand on the bridge, but anchors his pinky on either his bridge pickup or his high e string.

I used to have a teacher who didn't anchor his hand to anything, he just floated his hand over the guitar.

But it's really all up to preference, and the way you anchor your picking hand really makes NO difference in your playing.

Alright! :D
Thanks guys, I was getting really frustrated with this hand floating bull :P

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=974860

AQA. The consensus seems to be against anchoring.

Hahah I always make fun of my girlfriend for "anchoring" her pinky

I don't anchor at all, just pick from the air ^^

Besides this frees up the rest of your fingers for plucking, and tapping etc

Every guitarist goes through this period of making sure you do every thing "right". I even remember starting a thread like this but over time you will probably just do whats comfortable

in really depends on the situation, you will need both.
Unachored when doing wide string skipping and anchored when picking fast in one area but believe me you will do that with out even thinking.

It reminds me of how I totally wish I had learned to play with my left hand's fingers parallel to the frets, with only my thumb touching the back of the neck, as opposed to how I play, with the bottom of the neck resting between my thumb and index finger, and my fingers slightly angled.

I've been trying to change my left hand position to be better at sweeping and wide stretches, but I just can't do it. So, I'm just learning to sweep better using my regular hand position.

Basically, an inch of difference in how your right hand is positioned, whether it be floating, anchored on the bridge, whatever, is not going to make a huge impact on your playing. Don't stress too much on shit like how your hand is positioned, just fucking play your guitar as much as you humanly can.
How much do you watch tv? Whenever your watching tv, have your guitar on your lap. Whenever your on the computer, have that shit on your lap. You don't get good at guitar worrying about technical bullshit, you get good by practicing a bunch.

Fuck, I just realized that I already posted in this thread. I need to stop drinking.

I guess the pinki method would build endurance and stamina better but in the end that's probably because it's more challanging

How much do you watch tv? Whenever your watching tv, have your guitar on your lap. Whenever your on the computer, have that shit on your lap. You don't get good at guitar worrying about technical bullshit, you get good by practicing a bunch.

Fuck, I just realized that I already posted in this thread. I need to stop drinking.

good to hear from someone else, It's what I tell all my students