[Kashmira]

Started gutiar about 2 weeks ago,

Should i use be using my thumb for the top two strings only?? and the fingers for the rest? should i be learning to use my pinky now to pluck the 6th string to get into a good habbit?? And also should i be using my pinky on the frets also?? When i was using my thumb for the top 3 strings i found it alot easier, but my friend who is teaching me said i should be walking using my fingers on the bottom 4 strings, and if i use only three figners to pick the bottom 4 strings gets difficult sometimes whereas if i use my pinky to pick 1 string each i find it easier apart from the fact that my pinky is quite weak at the momment.

[LeeB]

Homerbigal started thread recently titled "fingerpicking" down near the bottom of the page... have a look at it.... answers some of your questions I think

[allthumbs]

Nothing is written in stone when it comes to playing guitar. On occasion you may find it advantageous to pick a string with the pinkie. It is more common to use the first 3 fingers for most picking. The thumb can cover the bottom 3 strings.
You have the terms reversed by the way. Bottom strings refers to the low sound the thicker strings make. It has nothing to do with the location of the strings. That means for instance, the low E string is the thickest string that is furthest from the floor. The high E string is the thinnest string that is closest to the floor.
You should work on learning to fret with your pinkie. You will need it for barre chords as well as reaching notes in extended chords.

[redrider37]

The general rule of thumb (no pun intended) is the bass strings, that's the thickest strings are played with the thumb, so that is the E,A and D strings, the the three thinnest strings are played with your index, middle and ring fingers so that is the G,B and high E strings.

Long way to go but it is worth it.