little finger

just_me_really

just_me_really

New member
i've been told i really should be playing using my little finger on my fretting hand as well as the other 3, (i use thumb for chords sometimes), but i've been playing for about 3 years now and i never really use my little finger. i only use it if theres a really big stretch in a chord or for a single note.
problem is, whenever i try and use it, because i havent practised, its really weak and its in the wrong position.
anybody else have this problem? is it a problem??? i might be ok carrying on as i have been, but i dont want to limit myself to what i can play properly.
any tips/exercises would be helpful too.
cheers
-just_me
 
Re: little finger

hey, what i'd do to bring your little finger into your technique is to start off by practising chromatic scales - boring i know but it'll get you using them

try these patterns 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1
1 2 4 3
4 3 1 2

play them on E, then A, then D, then G, Then b... then all the way back

then do them with string skipping so E, then D, then A, then G... and back

that should help
 
Re: little finger

Try and get used to keeping your thumb on the back of the neck rather than over the top like you said you use for some chords. Nothing wrong with playing some chords like this but with the thumb on the back of the neck you will have more leverage for your little finger.
 
Re: little finger

as i said in another post, tap on things. it helps so mutch. if your sitting at a table do a trill as if the table is a guitar neck. if you r working ur pinky trill between there fingers as a cool exersize. (1=pointing finger 2= **** u finger 3= ring finger 4= pinky)
4-3-4-2-4-1-4-2-4-3 repeat.
this will help soo mutch
 
Re: little finger

if you got the nerve to it, try classical guitar.
proper playing on a classical will make your pinky a bulletproof weapon of annhilation, because you wont be able to sound good if you wont use it. in electric you can get away without using it because the guitar is easier to press on, and the frets are alot shorter.
even when watching Petrucci you know he had the same problem, look at him play pentatonics.
this is one way that wasnt said, the chormatic practices suggested above will do the trick
 
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