Pinky problem...

Well I'm a beginner having a problem with my pinky. Problem is that it seems to be slower and not as independent as the other three fingers (if that makes sense...). So I was wondering if anyone had any exercises that mainly focuses on the pinky - or should I just keep at it with the basic ones?

I've been working on my pinky strength lately. Basically all I do though is bend strings with my pinky for abotu 5 minutes a day. Also, with scales I've substitute my pinky in for my ring finger sometimes. I also try to learn and write songs that include the pinky like Under The Bridge by Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

The pinky is my worst enemy. Lots of artists have gotten away with out its use, as some styles can get away with not using it, but overall you'll find that you've got so many more options when you use it. It's weak, sure, I mean look at it, but just beat the crap out of it every time you play man. There's no other option.

Bending- and stretching-practice.
Thats the magic formula.
Since you dont use the pinky for much, except when you impersonate
Dr Evil, the muscles in that finger are weak, much like the ears muscles
(yes, you do have muscles there, enough to wave if you train long enough).
Luckily, it's much easier to train the pinky than the ear.
Bend alot.
Stretch alot. Thats it.
There is a good stretch exercise called "The spider", which I will
post in my tricks section soon, check it out.
And dont forget that it will take time. Lots of it.

Francisco Tarrega's "complete technical studies" are a series of exercises he developed for his students. they focus on each finger individually. they are pretty usefull!

I hate when my fingers ignore my brains commands, and turn into little commies. I practice finger runs.


[FONT=Courier New]|--1-3-2-4-----------------------------------------------|
|-----------1-3-2-4--------------------------------------|
|--------------------1-3-2-4-----------------------------|
|-----------------------------1-3-2-4--------------------|
|---------------------------------------1-3-2-4----------|
|------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4-|[/FONT]

I'll do stuff like that in different combo's. while holding down the "1" on each string the whole time.

If the little finger is what you primarily want to work on try something like:
l r m r l (l) m r l l m r ....
e |--4--3--2--------------3--4--5---/6--5--4-----
b |------------3--4-/5----------------------------
g |------------------------------------------------
d |------------------------------------------------
a |------------------------------------------------
e |------------------------------------------------

l = little
r = ring
m = middle
/ = slide

While you are playing this, vary the dynamics on each finger each time you play the riff (sometimes emphasize the little finger, others emphasize the ring, etc...). You can try to change the slides to bends, vibrato, or any other technique. Also, I added the ellipses (...'s) to mean that you can keep going up the neck in this pattern. Maybe you could try going all the way up to the 12th fret or, if you're feeling really adventurous, you can try to play it going up the strings (to the Low E string and back). Hope it helps ya.

David
-G101

I have a problem with my pinky too, it's shorter than the rest of my fingers. :rolleyes:


Anyways, try doing what I suffer said, I do one similar to that that goes like this

e|--0--2--1--3--2--4---3--2---0--3--2--4--3--5--4--3-- and so on

up and down the fretboard, on all different strings. Alternate picking of course!

I posted my stretching exercise, it might help you, at least with you strecthing.

http://www.guitartricks.com/2000/trick.php?trick_id=7638

wow... thx for all the answers... Guess I'll be practicing :)

Cya

dont forget the chords. the faster you can get to the chords that you use your pinki on, the more coordinated it will get.

Yeah and the chicks. It always comes back to the chicks. So don't forget em.

Try trilling between all your fingers and pinky, such as index-pinky, middle-pinky, and ring-pinky. This should wear you out.