Using my baby finger for single notes.
What is a good way to get my baby finger under control, when I am playing single notes. It could have come from bad habits early on. I need some input please. Thank you
# 1
Just keep using it an eventually it will become stronger and easier to use. In just the 3 weeks since I picked up the guitar again my pinky has become much easier to use.
When I first took lessons many years ago, I never used the pinky because it was too hard, caused it to ache and didn't want to cooperate, but since I have been here on this site I don't have the same trouble.
One of the instructors here, probably all of them suggest using the pinky even if it easier not too, the only way to get good at it is to use it, and keep at it.
Hope this helps
Jaime
When I first took lessons many years ago, I never used the pinky because it was too hard, caused it to ache and didn't want to cooperate, but since I have been here on this site I don't have the same trouble.
One of the instructors here, probably all of them suggest using the pinky even if it easier not too, the only way to get good at it is to use it, and keep at it.
Hope this helps
Jaime
# 2
The best advice I could give you is to make sure you keep it "in the mix" at all times. What I mean by that is do not ever allow it to stray off and get to far from the strings. If you do this even though you may not be fretting with it at any given time, the finger will always be right there ready for use.
God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”
# 3
Oofdah. The pinky!
Try this:
|------------------------------1-3-4-----------------------------|
|------------------------1-3-4------1-3-4------------------------|
|------------------1-3-4------------------1-3-4------------------|
|------------1-3-4------------------------------1-3-4------------|
|------1-3-4------------------------------------------1-3-4------|
|1-3-4------------------------------------------------------1-3-4|
1st fret - pointer finger
3rd fret - ring finger
4th fret - pinky finger
|------------------------------1-2-4-----------------------------|
|------------------------1-2-4------1-2-4------------------------|
|------------------1-2-4------------------1-2-4------------------|
|------------1-2-4------------------------------1-2-4------------|
|------1-2-4------------------------------------------1-2-4------|
|1-2-4------------------------------------------------------1-2-4|
1st fret - pointer finger
2nd fret - ring finger
4th fret - pinky finger
By doing this it will strengthen your muscle memory, and then will be able to use your pinky in any situation, either coming after the middle finger or coming after the ring finger.
Another good exercise to do is:
|------------------------------1--4----------------------------|
|------------------------1--4------1--4------------------------|
|------------------1--4------------------1--4------------------|
|------------1--4------------------------------1--4------------|
|------1--4------------------------------------------1--4------|
|1--4------------------------------------------------------1--4|
1st fret - pointer finger
4th fret - pinky finger
|------------------------2-4------------------------|
|--------------------2-4-----2-4--------------------|
|----------------2-4-------------2-4----------------|
|-----------2-4----------------------2-4------------|
|------2-4-------------------------------2-4--------|
|-2-4----------------------------------------2-4----|
2nd fret - middle finger
4th fret - pinky finger
|------------------------3-4-----------------------|
|--------------------3-4-----3-4-------------------|
|----------------3-4-------------3-4---------------|
|-----------3-4---------------------3-4------------|
|------3-4------------------------------3-4--------|
|-3-4---------------------------------------3-4----|
3rd fret - ring finger
4th fret - pinky finger
Do these shapes all the way up the neck, and my friend, you will have a stronger pinky and better muscle memory.
Hope this helps! Any questions, message me!
-Jesse
Try this:
|------------------------------1-3-4-----------------------------|
|------------------------1-3-4------1-3-4------------------------|
|------------------1-3-4------------------1-3-4------------------|
|------------1-3-4------------------------------1-3-4------------|
|------1-3-4------------------------------------------1-3-4------|
|1-3-4------------------------------------------------------1-3-4|
1st fret - pointer finger
3rd fret - ring finger
4th fret - pinky finger
|------------------------------1-2-4-----------------------------|
|------------------------1-2-4------1-2-4------------------------|
|------------------1-2-4------------------1-2-4------------------|
|------------1-2-4------------------------------1-2-4------------|
|------1-2-4------------------------------------------1-2-4------|
|1-2-4------------------------------------------------------1-2-4|
1st fret - pointer finger
2nd fret - ring finger
4th fret - pinky finger
By doing this it will strengthen your muscle memory, and then will be able to use your pinky in any situation, either coming after the middle finger or coming after the ring finger.
Another good exercise to do is:
|------------------------------1--4----------------------------|
|------------------------1--4------1--4------------------------|
|------------------1--4------------------1--4------------------|
|------------1--4------------------------------1--4------------|
|------1--4------------------------------------------1--4------|
|1--4------------------------------------------------------1--4|
1st fret - pointer finger
4th fret - pinky finger
|------------------------2-4------------------------|
|--------------------2-4-----2-4--------------------|
|----------------2-4-------------2-4----------------|
|-----------2-4----------------------2-4------------|
|------2-4-------------------------------2-4--------|
|-2-4----------------------------------------2-4----|
2nd fret - middle finger
4th fret - pinky finger
|------------------------3-4-----------------------|
|--------------------3-4-----3-4-------------------|
|----------------3-4-------------3-4---------------|
|-----------3-4---------------------3-4------------|
|------3-4------------------------------3-4--------|
|-3-4---------------------------------------3-4----|
3rd fret - ring finger
4th fret - pinky finger
Do these shapes all the way up the neck, and my friend, you will have a stronger pinky and better muscle memory.
Hope this helps! Any questions, message me!
-Jesse
# 4
Originally Posted by: infinitesoundWhat is a good way to get my baby finger under control, when I am playing single notes. It could have come from bad habits early on. I need some input please. Thank you
These tutorials have exercises aimed at including all fingers (one finger per fret rule) all over the fretboard. Some of them are for speed building, but you don't have to use them that way. You can use them simply as a way of building strength & dexterity:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=419
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=898
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=899
Also, I used to play chords without using my index finger at all. And power chords with my middle finger on the bottom note & pinky on the top note.
Lisa & Ben have great exercises on finger strength & dexterity also!
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=621
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=915
Hope this helps.
Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 5
One other pointer I can give you is to watch where your left hand thumb is. The reason for this is if you have mal-positioning it will effect the stretch and strength of the pinky. To keep the thumb behind the second finger at all times will make it a lot easier to facilitate what you want on the guitar. There are a series of exercises in an ebook you can download for free at http://www.guitarlessonsbuffalony.com
All the best,
Joe Pinnavaia
Test Tube Rhino
All the best,
Joe Pinnavaia
Test Tube Rhino
# 6