classical picking

Hey, I'm having trouble understanding why sometimes on a sheet of music there are two 'm''s in a row or two i's (notation telling me which fingers to use) And there doesn't seem to be any reasoning behind it. I was under the impressions that I should always be alternating but in the book I'm using "Christopher Parkening method" he seems to stray away from that often.
Also, sometimes in the sheet music, it starts with m finger, and sometimes i.

Part of me just wants to forget all of that and just play the music, but then I also feel that on fast runs having an efficient fingering method would be a huge benefit.

any help would be appreciated.

It really depends on the context of the music. Is it changing between two strings? Is it when there is an arpeggio? etc. An example of what you are seeing would help. I thought at one time Parkening had some right hand issues with some finger weakness and possible nerve damage (if I am correct) - maybe that would explain the fingerings. If you could post an example some one here would be able to help for sure.

Regards,
Joe Pinnavaia
http://www.guitarlessonsbuffalony.com

When you're dealing with finger picking you have to think of how you are setting yourself up for the NEXT notes. Sometimes it's better to break away from the imimi and switch it up. Especially when switching between strings.

Generally you want to stick with the fingerings that you are being given. Sure it may be hard, awkward, or even feel wrong to do like you are thinking, but that's kind of the point of practicing. Practice the hard stuff and it'll become easier.

hey guys, here is an example from the book.

The first one is this:

http://tinyurl.com/68tqp9v

in the first measure, he ends with i, and then in the 2nd measure (after the bass note) he picks with i again.

Then another one in the book where he ends with i and then starts the next measure with m again.

and wow, I just realized that in the 1st example the notes were played on the same string and in the second example he uses two strings...that could be the answer I was looking for.

Is it safe to say that when you use two different strings you would alternate and the same string you could either use the same finger OR alternate?

Originally Posted by: seedevil1
http://tinyurl.com/68tqp9v

in the first measure, he ends with i, and then in the 2nd measure (after the bass note) he picks with i again.
[/QUOTE]

So it's: p, m, i, m, i, p --- p, i, m, i, m, i ?

[QUOTE=seedevil1]Is it safe to say that when you use two different strings you would alternate and the same string you could either use the same finger OR alternate?

It depends on a lot of things. Like I mentioned before, think about how you are setting up the next notes. If you've ever played pool, you can think of it in those terms. When you are shooting, you aren't just worrying about the ball you are trying to hit. You also have to worry about where your shot ends up and how it sets up your NEXT shot. That analogy might not make sense if you've never played pool I'm guessing.

There is no single correct formula to follow in terms of alternating.