I have a question about alternate fingerpicking. Basically, is it best
for the long term to strive to alternate 1-2-1-2 ... throughout a passage
(if not the entire song)? Or is it okay to use the same finger multiple
times from time to time?

Example snippet from Danko Jones' Lovercall. I'm trying to alternate
1-2-1-2, but my fingers want to go 1-2-1-1. I.e. my index finger wants
to continue upward after playing the D string and play the A string also
on notes 3 & 4 of this passage.

Left Hand: 1 3 2 1
G ---------------
D -----5--4------
A -----------4---
E --4------------
Right Hand: 1 2 1 2 (What I strive to do)
1 2 1 1 (What my fingers keep wanting to do)


I know that with enough practice, I'll be able to alternate 1-2-1-2 with
ease. I just wonder though if it is okay not to alternate in this or
other similar situations if the fingers want to do otherwise.

Thanks a bunch,

wahoodoss

its ok what you are doing but in finally the best thing fingers going serially on the fret
for example if you have frets 1.2.3.4 so each fingers go on his fret
and if you have frets 5.x.7.8 fingers go 1.x.3.4 thats the rule

Thanks for question!
Well in this case I would strongly suggest you to play this straight alternating 1-2-1-2.Do worry about it much because its a standard finger picking pattern that is know making troubles alternating And I will assure you that with just a regular practice daily (not excessive) you will be able to play it alternating..Now if the song is in a slow tempo and that particular passage is slow you can pass playing your way but otherwise I would suggest alternating because that way is a big loss in speed.

So I would suggest this to practice :

Left Hand: 3 2 1
G -----------------------
D -----5--4------5-4---
A -----------4---------4
E -----------------------
Right Hand: 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2


So play it continuously in circles (yes I left out one note on purpose) , so you will practice alternating and on every turn you will land on A string with a different finger.Start with a metronome very slowly, and concentrate yourself on your right hand to make fingers alternate..

Its ok not to always alternate , many bass players tend to play slow songs with one finger with adding others from time to time,but thats in slow songs.And I think you can pass in many times not alternating on the same string (etc playing 1 1 2) but I would recommend not letting the habit build up of playing notes on different strings with a same finger in a row..It can pass from time to time but it can slow you down very much..And its harder later on to fix it

Last but not least , I will suggest doing these exercises daily : http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/misc-less...-hand-exercise/

They are very much focused on the right hand alternating and will cover a lot of possible patterns!

Cheers my friend and thanks for your question !

Many thanks for the response!!

Now on to practice ...

wahoodoss