[mhpyle]

This has probably been discussed before but I find it impossible to make my pinky do anything without the ring finger following. Does this change with practice? I also saw an old post where the person showed how his pinky curled inward, and mine does the same thing basically. When I watch online videos of guitar lessons the teacher's pinky extends way farther out and more straight than mine. Can this be learned or is it an ability you either have or don't? Thanks.

[allthumbs]

It is just stretching muscles in your fingers. Same as any other muscle in your body. It can be done in time. Just practice. It will come.

[justinthyme]

The more experienced players here may have additional advice directly relating to finger independence, but I found this just happened with time, practice and appropriate exercises.

You'll find some stretching (IMHO a good place to start) exercises here, including Kirk's Ultimate Fingerstretching excercise:

Finger stretches

Kirk's lesson may be a bit advanced at this stage, but something to work towards. Watch it, anyway just for fun. Whilst you're in YouTube have a look at this beginner level video by Justin Sandercoe:

YouTube - 097 Guitar Lesson - Finger Stretching Exercise

Hope that helps.

Cheers.

[BackToBlack]

Allthumbs is right-practice, practice, practice.