How to play like Clapton (3 fingers)?

[mrid]

I've watched Clapton play and read about his style, and apparently he only uses three fingers. Apparently, this is how all the old blues guys play. Now, I come from a classical background, and I can't comprehend not using my pinky. Can someone explain it to me?

 

[kmcguitars]

Clapton's style like most other Blues player's is based on the
Pentonic scale. Your pinky is optional when playing these's scales.
I'm sure he use's his pinky for Double stop bends and chording?

 

[jmv]

also, that guys hands are HUGE... he doesn't really need to use his pinky for big reaches and stuff.... i actually don't use my pinky alot, because its the weakest of my fingers, and i consider myself a 'blues' player, so..... it just kinda happens that way.

 

[Curly]

I've seen Clapton at fairly close range, like 20 feet, and that's true, he doesn't use his pinky much, but he still has plenty of reach. Some of his fingering looked unorthodox to me - as you might expect from someone who's self-taught - but it works for him!

 

[Scott_F]

I only use my pinky for chords. I'm strictly a 3 finger guy.

 

[xerxes]

i would like to consider myself a blues guy. i use my pinky a ton, and dont understand how to do a scale without it. well, i do, i just find it easier. but i use my pinky for soloing as well as chords


also, the 3 finger thang seems to be working for him! lol

 

[JOLLY]

I only use my pinky for chords. I'm strictly a 3 finger guy.

Unfortunately, I'm the same way.

 

[xerxes]

at first i thought i was never going to be able to play with my pinky, but i practised. think about this, it helps you play faster with more fingers there and more of a finger reach.

 

[mrid]

I use all my fingers all the time...I feel like such a dork.

 

[beandip]

i only use my pinky for chords also. and maria maria by santana, a cover that my band does. other than that, i might as well not have one.

 

[spidey]

i guess it comes from being self taught. When you start to play guitar alot of people find the pinky difficult to use (myself included) and therefore use just the 3. There are some brilliant players (on this site alone) who certainly can do without their pinky for leads. However, if you've had formal lessons, chances are you may have been taught to use the one finger per fret rule and made use of all your fingers.
I suppose that whatever works for you is cool. If you use all 4 fingers and are comfortable that way, I personally wouldn't want to try and stop using your pinky.
Different strokes for differnt folks.

 

[xerxes]

yup, my teach tought me one finger per fret

 

[Mincer]

I use all 4...from watching Steve Morse and John McLaughlin with Shakti. No way to play that stuff with 3 fingers...

 

[Mr. Loud]

Are you people talking about the left (fret) hand?

 

[xerxes]

yes

 

[SoCalSteve]

I've been using one of those gripmaster finger exercisers and I'm amazed how fast I built more strength in my pinky. I just keep it by my recliner and use it when I watch t.v. I have small hands and need all the strangth I can get. Born to be Wild has a 5 fret stretch that's a challenge for me. (7-12)

 

[Tweed]

I like fingerstyle acoustic stuff, so the pinky gets it's share of work. I use it playing electric..blues and rootsy-stuff.

 

[Dime59hum]

I always use my pinky, and I usually bend it with it instead of my ring, my pinky is stronger. I know. Im a weirdo.

 

[Blue Calx]

my pinky is just as, if not more clumsy and sloppy as the rest of my fingers, so I always invite it to the party.