Does it matter what fingers are used for fretting

Hello,

I have a question about fingers used on strings/frets. 

An example while working on a simple chord practice c major and a minor.

For the a minor - I'm  placing my index finger on the b string, first fret however, once I place my middle finger on the g string second fret, my index finger lays on the high e string. No matter how much I try/hold the index finger in position, apply/release the finger the index finger does not cooperate.

I switched fingers, I replaced my middle finger with my ring finger on fret 2 g string and problem resolved. I can play the a minor clean, much easier.

So my question - if I can play a chord(s) with using other fingers than noted, it that ok ? 

Thanks,

Bob

Because hands and fingers vary in shape, size, flexibility, range of motion, strength, disability, etc. many people have no choice but to use alternative fingerings for playing chords. When you play barre chords, you use that same A minor shape up and down the neck using your middle, ring and pinky fingers. I use a lot of strange fingerings for playing difficult chords. In most cases, it doesn't matter what fingering you use to fret a chord, so long as you can play it cleanly.

Hi BP9

Glad you've found a good workaround for yourself! As yossarian22 says, "it doesn't matter what fingering you use to fret a chord, so long as you can play it cleanly."

I would add 2 points to that: 1: if you CAN manage the standard recommended fingering after some dedicated practice, there may be good reasons behind WHY those standard fingerings are recommended - for use in musical technique contexts you haven't gotten to yet in your studies.

But if you can't, you can't, and that should be fine...

....as long as this is true: you CAN get good clean tone out of your alternate fingering, AND, in the flowing context of a song, you are able to GET TO your preferred fingering cleanly and on time, and get yourself on to the next chord in the song cleanly and on time.

If all that falls into place, you're golden!

Have fun!

-Lisa

Thank you for the two replies I appreciate it, I will continue to use whatever finger works as needed.

Bob

If switching your middle for your ring finger on the G string helps your index stay upright and not touch the high E string, do it! That means your hand and finger position are working more naturally that way.

slice master

Thank you.👍

What I found helped me and I have show some others who seemed to like it is this. While keeping my wrist straight I move my forearm forward until I can see see the heart line (the crease that crosses from under the little finger towards the index) of my palm in front of the fretboard without my palm touching the neck. This helps with getting the proper finger angle without muting other strings and allows my fingers to move more freely.