Finger 4 pinky at weird angle

So the pinky when fretting four string on upper fretboard is at a 30 degree angle to my other three.

Fingers 2-3 haven't ever been more apart than 1.5 inches and that is with daily exercises for over a year.

Originally Posted by: B08maz@ gmail.comSo the pinky when fretting four string on upper fretboard is at a 30 degree angle to my other three.

Fingers 2-3 haven't ever been more apart than 1.5 inches and that is with daily exercises for over a year.

What do you mean 30 degrees? Can you be a little more specific? Also, what kind of exercises have you been doing?

I have the same issue. To try and be specific, if I'm fretting something ike an open G Chord or an E or A Minor shaped Barr chord, my pinky intersects the fretboard straight on at a 90 degree angle and on the tip, just like the index, middle, and ring finger do. But, if the pinky has to stretch an extra fret over, such as in playing "The Hendrix Chord", my pinky will not intersect the fretboard straight on. I can only get it to fret the B string while laying a bit on it's side, pressing the string along the outside of the nail instead of on the tip. This seems to be an issue when the pinky is 1 or more frets over from the ring finger, and only when the pinky is playing a higher string than the ring finger, for example, ring finger is on the 7th fret, G string and pinky is on the 8th fret, B string.

If these lines were my fingers, it would look like this | | | /

Is this common? Is it something common only to beginners (I've been playing for 19 months). Can it be corrected with excercises? Does it need to be corrected? Thanks.

Yup, it's common. Often, so is a slant by the index finger, i.e., \ | | / .

If you're bored, go through GT lessons and count how many instructors you see whose little fingers are doing the same thing. :eek:

I was really working hard trying to get my little finger to do a vertical, straight on approach to the fret but after I looked close at some GT vids I relaxed (about that :D ) and focused on getting a nice, high arch.

Hi-
I'm pretty new to the site. I've played acoustic rhythm guitar for years and I'm just starting to learn how to play melodies. Can anyone suggest any exercises for strengthening my left pinky and extending its reach?

Originally Posted by: bobdefandorfHi-
I'm pretty new to the site. I've played acoustic rhythm guitar for years and I'm just starting to learn how to play melodies. Can anyone suggest any exercises for strengthening my left pinky and extending its reach?

There are lessons here on GT that address the issue..and forum threads; https://www.guitartricks.com/forum/thread.php?p=309159
https://www.guitartricks.com/forum/thread.php?p=304092 (see my post#3 and Christopher S' #4)
https://www.guitartricks.com/forum/thread.php?p=301052

This is the current url of the great exercise on Justin Guitar, http://www.justinguitar.com/en/TE-101-FingerStretchExercise.php

Great! Thanks, John.

Hey, there! Thanks to Jon for the great reply. :)

Just for future reference here's my post on getting the pinky up to speed.

Being able to get your pinky to do that much work requires that it has enough strength & dexterity. With that in mind, first make sure you are properly warmed up & stretched.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1525

Next, this tutorial to build up your pinky strength & dexterity.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1292

Then, use these trill drills to work on finger independence & control.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1829

After working with these exercises for a while you will be in much better shape to play those parts! I use these exercises regularly to warm up & stay in shape.

Best of success!

Thanks to you as well, Christopher!