Playing 3 Nps Pattern: Middle Or Ringfinger? Options

[Sean_1234]

Hey Guys!

I recently found out I'm doing something different then most others and I wondered whether there is a 'better' way.

When playing 3 note per string patters, there are always a few strings on which you need to cover 6 frets with 3 notes, like:

B:----------3------5------7--

No I'm used to playing that like

B:----------3------5------7--
index ring pinky

But most people use their middle finger instead of their ring finger.

I found it easier playing with the middle finger, as long as I stayed on one or two (parallel) strings, but when I really needed to move around, it became very hard to keep using the middle finger.

So: What's best, or is there no best? Like with powerchords, I also use my pinky where most people use their ring finger : P Weird me haha

Thanks in advance

Sean

[Cosmin Lupu]

Mate,

I usually like to play things in a personal manner, but in this case I use my middle finger as well - my approach is based on what my body feels most comfortable with and of course what gets the results. Usually I try to obtain the best combination between these two things.

I say: EXPLORE! See what your body does naturally and take it from there - being different is GOOD! As long as it gives good results and it doesn't hurt your body!

best of luck!

Cosmin

[dark dude]

I use my index for 1-3-5 up until around the 12th fret, middle after that. Way more comfortable for me this way, so I stick to it.

[Ben Higgins]

Middle finger for me all the way !

[maharzan]

I can use both. You need to tame that ring finger too so sometimes it can come handy. I prefer middle finger too though. It depends what feels more comfortable.. no rules. You can use your third led if you want.

[SirJamsalot]

I say learn to do it both ways. Something you'll find as you get good at both methods is that one way is better than another depending on what you're doing.For instance a fast ascending dorian run, using the ring finger for the middle note on the second string makes it easier to reach the last note the second string.

It really depends on what you're comfortable with - some motions it's easier one way than another because of finger strength and direction of motion up/down the fret board. So get used to doing your scales using both methods.

btw - Paul gilbert uses his ring finger almost exclusively for 3 note whole step patters. But he has ape hands, so let that be known

This post has been edited by SirJamsalot: May 12 2011, 06:09 PM

[Todd Simpson]

Well said Learn it both ways and as other folks mention, let your instincts guide you as to what to do when. In the end it all comes down to you. If playing something a certain way is causing a problem, it's a good idea to change it. But finding what works for your is very much part of your journey as a player. Everyone's hand is just a tad different and what works for you may not work for the next guy.

I use my middle finger for this type of work usually but that's just me. Try both and see which you think is worth keeping.

I say learn to do it both ways. Something you'll find as you get good at both methods is that one way is better than another depending on what you're doing.For instance a fast ascending dorian run, using the ring finger for the middle note on the second string makes it easier to reach the last note the second string.

It really depends on what you're comfortable with - some motions it's easier one way than another because of finger strength and direction of motion up/down the fret board. So get used to doing your scales using both methods.

btw - Paul gilbert uses his ring finger almost exclusively for 3 note whole step patters. But he has ape hands, so let that be known

[Sean_1234]

I found that ring finger is more natural to me, but in some licks it's way easier to use the middle finger. All in all, this has been a great eye opener for me The fast lick in the Born to be my Baby solo from Bon Jovi was really hard with my ring finger, now I'm getting a lot closer using my middle finger

Just experimenting, as you guys told me Thanks!!

[Cosmin Lupu]

I found that ring finger is more natural to me, but in some licks it's way easier to use the middle finger. All in all, this has been a great eye opener for me The fast lick in the Born to be my Baby solo from Bon Jovi was really hard with my ring finger, now I'm getting a lot closer using my middle finger

Just experimenting, as you guys told me Thanks!!

Hehehe very good! keep exploring

[Ivan Milenkovic]

Cosmin and the guys gave some great advices, nothing more to add than to confirm: feel free to do it anyway you like

What I do is use middle finger mostly, although one guitar player when I was starting out was telling me to use ring finger, and I listened to him and had some problems with 3np technique. The point of the story is that you should definitely do it as you like and as you find it comfortable

[noztnac]

I always use the index, ring, pinky but I think I am in the minority. My teacher, who went to GIT at the same time as Frank Gambale taught me that either way is equally acceptable but that once you have chosen one you should not switch back and forth between the two.

I recently noticed (I took lessons from him twenty years ago) that he uses 1,2,4 index middle pinky.. while I use 1,3,4 index ring pinky.

Another very interesting thing I do is to play the stock Yngwie 3 string diminished arpeggio thing using 1,3,4 index ring pinky. Yngwie himself uses 1,2,3 index middle ring!!!

Skip to 1:28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njxuor9uVQk...feature=related


I had been playing for years before I realized he was using that fingering. We can both play that particular run equally fast. (He's a lot faster than me on a lot of other runs

Another interesting idea that Daniele Gottardo uses is using different fingers on the same fret when doing arpeggios. He does this where most people "roll" their first finger.

I use the old fashioned rolling way but thing Daniele's way might be better. When I show younger students of mine I give his fingering as an option.

See here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W51e9hYeSuc


One final thing- The size of your hands may make a difference. I met Paul Gilbert way back in around 1990 and he has huge hands. Shawn Lane has very small hands. So the fact is, no matter what size your hands are you can do it... but you may opt for a different fingering.

Hope some of that is useful.

[noztnac]

I always use 1 3 4 index ring pinky on that shape but I am in the minority. I posted over on the gear page and people are debating it:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=902394

I said either was good but that you should stick to whatever fingering you choose.

Ken Rosser, a GIT instructor, disagrees with me saying that you should learn both.