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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Fretting Hand: Finger Tips Or Finger Pads
Posted by: nawak Jan 22 2011, 07:50 PM
I have a quick question:
Is it more correct to use the finger tips or the finger pads when fretting single notes on the electric guitar neck?
In other words, do you bend your finger knuckles and have the tip of your fingers almost perpendicular to the neck, or would you rather use the part of your fingers located right underneath your nails (= the exact same part you use when you type something on a computer for example)?
nb: I used to play using the second method but now I have the feeling that the first method helps me with my articulation in arpeggios, etc (but is more difficult when it comes to bending strings..)
Posted by: Fran Jan 22 2011, 07:53 PM
I guess it's the same part you use to type on a Keyboard.
It's the only part of the finger which actually comes natural/comfortable to play really, at least for me.
Posted by: SirJamsalot Jan 22 2011, 09:14 PM
You're going to get a different answer based on what you're trying to do.
If your playing a really loud electric guitar and you want that note to stand on its own, you're going to need that finger tip to help mute other strings. For instance, arpeggios like you say, you'll need to roll your finger so that your bridging finger is holding down the note you are playing while the rest of the finger is musting the other notes as you go.
If you're bending a single note, then you're finger is going to touch the other string so you need to ensure how you touch that other string helps mute it, not cause it to ring.
You may find you want the note to ring in conjunction with a string just below or avoe the one you've fretted, in which case you need finger tip so you're avoiding the other string.
The answer really does boil down to context. You're going to end up doing a little of everything depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
Chris
Is it more correct to use the finger tips or the finger pads when fretting single notes on the electric guitar neck?
In other words, do you bend your finger knuckles and have the tip of your fingers almost perpendicular to the neck, or would you rather use the part of your fingers located right underneath your nails (= the exact same part you use when you type something on a computer for example)?
nb: I used to play using the second method but now I have the feeling that the first method helps me with my articulation in arpeggios, etc (but is more difficult when it comes to bending strings..)
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