Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

[Guitar Toad]

I was reading about BB King that he's well known for his signature first finger bends. It got me to thinking since I mostly use my ring finger for bends and vibrato. Occationally, I'll do a half bend or little vibrator with my first finger.

What about you guys? Are you guys equally adept at bending with any finger?

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I actually happened to stumble across an inteview of BB King where he actually says that he does vibrato and bends on whatever finger feels the most comfortable.

I think it's about four minutes in or so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UsEsYbaX7Y

 

[vinterland]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I bend with fingers 1 through 4 and vibrato with fingers 1 through 3. It really just depends on the pattern I'm playing and what not as to which fingers I'll use.

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

Forgot to answer the question :smack:

Actually, I'm not good at vibrato, for bends I'll use any finger that feels good which generally tends to be any other than my pinky, but sometimes my pinky gets the bend.

I'm much too used to slides with which I can do much better vibrato... I guess that means my pinky :laugh2:

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

i do bends and vibrato with all 4 fingers, but is sometimes a little uncomfortable to vibrato with the pinky, but sometimes needed for the song.

 

[Jeff Dunne]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I can't bend with my pinky, but I've never felt a need or want to, and really haven't tried.

 

[Tux789]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

i pretty much use whatever finger fits best but tend to use another finger to assist in bending/vibrato with the pinky.

 

[RiffRaff]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I can't bend with my pinky, but I've never felt a need or want to, and really haven't tried.

Same here, I can't go to the pinky and be 100% sure I'm going to get the bend or vibrato I want, it's the ring finger for me.

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I can vibrato with pretty much all fingers. It works best with the index and middle though. As for bends, the middle and ring work best for me.

 

[CGord]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

In this order of preference: middle, index, ring.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

Generally I do bends and vibrato with either my middle or ring fingers (reinforced). Sometimes I stab for some pinkie vibrato but my single-finger vibrato is weak, so I'm working on that.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I was reading about BB King that he's well known for his signature first finger bends. It got me to thinking since I mostly use my ring finger for bends and vibrato. Occationally, I'll do a half bend or little vibrator with my first finger. What about you guys? Are you guys equally adept at bending with any finger?

Me, I can do both with all four, but it feels better with ring finger. I like the finger for vibrato to have a lot of tip meat so it feels natural. My first finger tends to feel like it has virtually none.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I use all fingers, but am best with first and third fingers. I don't vibrato with my pinky unless it's requires.

 

[fingerace]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I use all fingers, but am best with first and third fingers. I don't vibrato with my pinky unless it's requires.

+1

 

[nuntius]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

You should always try to support bends and vibrato with as many fingers as you can.

Eg if you bend/vibrato with your third, try to support with your first and second.

The only finger you should use on it's own is your first finger, IMO.

 

[CGord]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

The only finger you should use on it's own is your first finger, IMO.

lol, "yeah, I bend with my index finger, & support it with the middle & ring fingers"

 

[Perry D]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

im trying to get all my fingers strong enough to bend the same with all of them. i can bend strongly with my ring finger though.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

I must be some sort of freak of nature, because my best bends are on 3 and 4. Pinky bends have never been an issue for me. I can't bend worth poo on 1.

 

[bLYNDcYDE]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

Bend with 1st & 3rd (2 got cut off & was sowed back on so I don't use it to bend too much). Vidrato best with 1 & 123 together. I hardly ever use my pinky for bends or vibrato.

 

[Nightrunner]

Re: Which Fingers for Bends and Vibrato

Vibrato 1 - 4...

Bends 1 - 4... most comfortable with the ring or pinky (combining the strength of the preceding digits, ya know?), then middle & generally not with the pointer finger unless the particular lick calls for it! & bending is a big part of my style (at least when I'm soloing or playing melodic parts). :headbang:


--Nightrunner