A Technique Quiestion Options

[oron102]

Hi!,

This one confuses me for a while, hopefully this is the right place to ask.
After watching a few lesson iv noticed that each player uses a different way of finger position.

lets say for example that i want to play the phrase: e --8--10--11 x2
when i play it i use my index, ring and pinky
when i watch other player i sometimes see them use the index, middle and ring fingers (andy james for expamle)

another examle, if i want to play the phrase: e --8--10--12 x2
i use my index, middle and pinky.
other player sometimes use the index, ring and piknky.

so here is my question (finally )
is there a "right" way to do it so a player can achieve maximum speed and accuracy?
does the finger position should change when u play the higher frets since they get smaller?

thanks!

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This post has been edited by oron102: Jan 15 2013, 02:43 PM

[Ben Higgins]

Hi !

That's a very valid question and it's good that you asked because I can set your mind at rest for you.

There is no 'right' way to do it.. people just get used to doing it a certain way and after a while it's just become habit and there's no reason for them to change it.

The way that you fret those notes is the same way that I do

Both approaches you described work fine so it doesn't matter which way you did it.. but your way (and mine) is totally cool so just keep it the way it is !

When I get to the really high frets (like above 17th) then I might switch to using my index, 2nd and ring finger more often but it's usually just accidental rather than a decision.

Both ways allow you to play as fast as you need to. So I hope that helps !

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[Sinisa Cekic]

Theoretically, when playing major or minor scale, each finger has its own box, thus you are getting the speed and fluidity. But that's in theory. Each player looks for an easier way to get what he needs. "Right finger position" has a small role here.
e - 8 - 10 - 11 - "correct" position would be - /index / ring/pinky/, but again, if you feel more comfortable with your fingering - do so.
e - 8 - 10 - 12 is also the position where you can use 1st of the 2nd positions that you mentioned. Simple - a matter of style !
Pinky is the weakest of all the fingers, and it must be practiced. He's inevitable in the lower positions, while at higher you can avoid it. Finally, we don't have the same thickness of the fingers, and it affect a lot on the fingering, especially at higher frets !

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[oron102]

Great answers Ben and Sinisa, really helpfull.
Now I know that I dont have to change my technique and that Im not doing anything that can hold me back.

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[HungryForHeaven]

lets say for example that i want to play the phrase: e --8--10--11 x2
when i play it i use my index, middle and pinky

Are you sure about this? You don't mean index, ring and pinky?
For me, it would feel very unnatural to use middle and pinky only one fret apart; my ring finger would feel squeezed in.

As for --8--10--12--, I would normally use index, middle and pinky; although occasionally, when coming from another shape on another string, I might use ring finger for 10th fret. Whichever feels most natural in that context.

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[The Professor]

I think for me, 8-10-12 would be 1-2-4 fingers, and I'm more comfortable using 1-3-4 fingers for 8-10-11, though guys like Paul Gilbert I believe tend to favor 1-2-3 for 8-10-11.

So I think it's up to you. As long as it's comfortable and not holding you back technically then it should be cool. But maybe try a few different fingerings and see what feels good to you. Though once you find one that works I would stick with it so not to be confused finger wise etc.

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[oron102]

Are you sure about this? You don't mean index, ring and pinky?
For me, it would feel very unnatural to use middle and pinky only one fret apart; my ring finger would feel squeezed in.

As for --8--10--12--, I would normally use index, middle and pinky; although occasionally, when coming from another shape on another string, I might use ring finger for 10th fret. Whichever feels most natural in that context.

HungryForHeaven,
yeah your right, i meant index, ring and pink (1 ,3 ,4 ) ,those finger names are annoying and in hebrew they are even more annoying
and thats exactly why i asked, it seems as if each player has a different approach.

I think for me, 8-10-12 would be 1-2-4 fingers, and I'm more comfortable using 1-3-4 fingers for 8-10-11, though guys like Paul Gilbert I believe tend to favor 1-2-3 for 8-10-11.

So I think it's up to you. As long as it's comfortable and not holding you back technically then it should be cool. But maybe try a few different fingerings and see what feels good to you. Though once you find one that works I would stick with it so not to be confused finger wise etc.

Matt Warnock Guitar,
great info, thanks.
i as well think one should stick to a certain way.

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This post has been edited by oron102: Jan 15 2013, 02:53 PM

[The Professor]

Yeah I think it's more a consistency issue than a technical one, as long as the fingering works.

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[Ben Higgins]

Are you sure about this? You don't mean index, ring and pinky?
For me, it would feel very unnatural to use middle and pinky only one fret apart; my ring finger would feel squeezed in.

As for --8--10--12--, I would normally use index, middle and pinky; although occasionally, when coming from another shape on another string, I might use ring finger for 10th fret. Whichever feels most natural in that context.

Oops !! Yes, I also missed that but I read it as index, ring and pinky.. that's what I was thinking and referring too

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