[danbhoy67]

I,m trying to switch from playing open chords with index, middle, and ring fingers, to middle ,ring, and pinky, in preperation for learning to Barre chords. Having a hard time with the G chord. Is there any great need to play the G using the pinky etc?

[si16]

It's a good idea to start experimenting with alternate fingerings but if you're having trouble with some it's not that big a deal. Using the pinky for the G can be useful, especially in finger picking pieces, but if it's just for playing chords it shouldn't make too much difference.

[allthumbs]

It shouldn't be much of a problem putting the pinkie on the first string , 3rd fret.

[danbhoy67]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

It shouldn't be much of a problem putting the pinkie on the first string , 3rd fret.

I have a hard time getting my pinky to go anywhere! It seems to be welded to my ring finger.

[LeeB]

Originally Posted by danbhoy67

I have a hard time getting my pinky to go anywhere! It seems to be welded to my ring finger.

That is normal at first.

I think it is important to practice the G chord with the pinky on the high e string 3rd fret.... Many songs are in the key of G which means a C chord is the IV chord and often Am is used. Going from Am or C back to G is much easier if the ole pinky is used... so its takes practice like everything to train that little guy to separte from the ring finger .. but it can be done in time...

cheers

[allthumbs]

Originally Posted by danbhoy67

I have a hard time getting my pinky to go anywhere! It seems to be welded to my ring finger.

Place your pinkie down first then move the other 2 fingers into place.

[danbhoy67]

All good advice which will be followed..., thanks guys.

[peterm]

This is a really good fingering to practice, especially if you want to get into any delta blues playing. by using the pinky for the first string 3rd fret, it frees up the index finger for an easy change to the g7 and then changing from g7 to C

The more you make that pinky work the easier it will all get.

Here's a good exercise for the pinky and also getting it independant from that ring finger that keeps wanting to drag everything else with it. This was shown to me by a professional flamenco guitarist and is one of the best finger exercises I have found.
It doesn't involve the right hand at all and is something you can do while watching TV (if you have to )

Place all four fingers, index, middle, ring and pinky on the 6th string at about the 5th fret, so index at fret 5, middle on fret 6, ring on fret 7 and pinky on fret 8

now keep the index and ring planted and move the middle and pinky down to the fifth string, plant them there and then move the index and ring down to the 4th string without moving the fingers on the fifth string. plant them then move the middle and pinky again down to the third string without moving the fingers on the 4th string.
Keep going like this until you have all fingers on the 1st string and then move back up the strings in the same fashion.

Once you get that down smoothly change around and move the index and ring first.
then move a fret closer to the nut and do it all again. BTW It's apparently called the spider


Hope it helps, It did heaps for my finger strength and independence.

Cheers
Peter

[danbhoy67]

Originally Posted by peterm

This is a really good fingering to practice, especially if you want to get into any delta blues playing. by using the pinky for the first string 3rd fret, it frees up the index finger for an easy change to the g7 and then changing from g7 to C

The more you make that pinky work the easier it will all get.

Here's a good exercise for the pinky and also getting it independant from that ring finger that keeps wanting to drag everything else with it. This was shown to me by a professional flamenco guitarist and is one of the best finger exercises I have found.
It doesn't involve the right hand at all and is something you can do while watching TV (if you have to )

Place all four fingers, index, middle, ring and pinky on the 6th string at about the 5th fret, so index at fret 5, middle on fret 6, ring on fret 7 and pinky on fret 8

now keep the index and ring planted and move the middle and pinky down to the fifth string, plant them there and then move the index and ring down to the 4th string without moving the fingers on the fifth string. plant them then move the middle and pinky again down to the third string without moving the fingers on the 4th string.
Keep going like this until you have all fingers on the 1st string and then move back up the strings in the same fashion.

Once you get that down smoothly change around and move the index and ring first.
then move a fret closer to the nut and do it all again. BTW It's apparently called the spider


Hope it helps, It did heaps for my finger strength and independence.

Cheers
Peter

Thats gonna take a bit of getting used to, but I can see how it will make the hand release the fingers after a while! So much to learn, patience is the key methinks.

[krissovo]

My pinky does the opposite, it kind of sticks as far out in the air as possible.....A bit like how the English drink their tea (no offence intended).

I can vouch for playing the delta blues really gets that pinky under more control after a week or two. It still sticks out in the air but at least I can hit the string correctly 90% of the time.

[danbhoy67]

I find that I have to kinda move them one at a time right now, I suppose thats the way to start and then it will come with practice. Thanks again.