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Topic: Right-hand finger, in or out? |
David Berry
From:
Sandston, Virginia, USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 10:13 am |
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| I'm sure this has been discussed in some thread before. When playing, do you typically extend the little finger on your right hand or curl it under? I've seen it done both ways and I'm trying to go with extending it like my PSG teacher does. I think it may make blocking easier too, correct? It's been a hard habit to break, but I'm working on it. I'm sure a lot of it is personal preference, but there may be some technical reasons for curling or not. I've been told that curling is for beers...but hey, I could be wrong. So, what's your take? |
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Joe Savage
From:
St. Paul, MN
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 10:44 am
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I taped a piece of a popsicle stick to my finger when I started playing, to get used to extending it.
Your hand will stay closer to the strings. And, yes, it makes blocking easier. |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 11:39 am
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| Mine just sticks out on it's own without any help. |
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Randy Beavers
From:
Lebanon,TN 37090
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 11:44 am
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| Mine sticks out, always has. |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 11:45 am
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Similar to Joe,I taped a pencil as a splint and played for weeks.
When I removed the pencil the finger immediately curled under.
All previous posts would indicate that you should do what is comfortable.I have observed Pro players who use each method.
Best regards
billy |
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Brandon Ordoyne
From:
Needville,Texas USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 11:45 am
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mine is tucked in....
_________________
'74 Emmons D10 P/P 8x5,'15 Rittenberry D10 8x5, Peavey Nashville 112, 400 & 1000, Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Hilton, Goodrich L120, Boss DD-3 and RV-3 |
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Moon in Alaska
From:
Kasilof, Alaska * R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 11:51 am
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My little finger is extended out, and also, I find myself touching the first string from time to time.
I think that reference helps me position my hand for the next move...
I have seen really good players both ways...
Moon
_________________
<<Moon>>
==Carter S-10==
1962 Fender 400
== Evans FET 500 Custom LV ==
http://www.geocities.com/moon9999610/alaska.html |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 12:28 pm
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Mine is usually "out" and sometimes even clutching the 1st string. However, when I'm using pick blocking it's not.
Some do, some don't. If you want to copy Emmons, he does not. |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 12:48 pm
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Mine is tucked under and is a great blocking tool as is the ring finger.
Jerry |
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Roger Edgington
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 1:08 pm
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| There are great players both ways. It seems to be an individual thing. I've tucked mine in for nearly 45 years because that's the way Tom Kiley taught me to play. I can't play very well with it streched out. |
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Jim West
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 3:05 pm
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| Mine's out |
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Emmett Roch
From:
Texas Hill Country
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 3:10 pm
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I have an "innie" (pinky finger).
_________________
On Earth, as it is in Texas |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 4:51 pm Put your little finger in...........or out
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Until I attended a Jeff Newman Seminar in about 1980, I'd never heard of any other way, that just to allow it to curl like the rest of your fingers on the right hand.
It has served me well.......... But, I never made it to anywhere. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 6:08 pm
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| Whatever works for the individual is the right way. Mine sticks out but is a bit bent due to an old rugby injury, it sort of hooks itself around the 1st string a bit too. |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 6:10 pm
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Well DB, when I started taking lessons from Bud C in 76, he curled his under, like in all the old clips with the TTs.
At the time he was making the transition to holding it out. Also using the D on top of the C6.Both possibly from what E was doing. I always did it that way while I was at the lessons, but it never really stuck, and I've always curled it unless I'm changing up for some reason. Hopefully a lot of the other stuff I learned from him did.
YMMV
FHLE |
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Tim Stanton
From:
Virginia, USA
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 6:24 pm
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| When I started, I used thumbpick and 2 fingerpicks, and the pinky naturally curled in. But when I added the ring fingerpick, it forced me to stick it straight out. So now mine sticks straight out. |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 6:39 pm pinkie
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I played for several years before I ever noticed that I play with my little finger sticking straight out or curled around the first string. I guess it just came naturally. Like Jack, I sometimes clutch the string(s), so hard that I'm even bending the first 2 or 3 strings, as long as I'm not picking them. I've tried curling my fingers in a ball over the top of the strings, like Buddy C, but it doesn't work at all for me. When I pick block I tend to arch my fingers a little more, but the little finger is still anchored on the first string.
When I play bass I anchor my thumb on either the E string or the A string, depending on what other strings I'm picking.
I would say do whatever feels natural; there is no "correct" way to do it.
_________________
C#
Me: Steel Guitar Madness
Latest ebook: Steel Guitar Insanity
Custom Made Covers for Steel Guitars & Amps at Sharp Covers Nashville |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 6:41 pm
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| I was watching the Live at Bell Cove DVD the other day and I noticed that E is an outie and Rugg is in. That tells ya something. I'm mostly out. |
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A. J. Schobert
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 7:15 pm
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If your teacher is MR. Charleton, he helped me, ask him.
This is my take, David what is comfortable to you?
The big thing is you want to be able to move your right freely up and down, if you got that and your blocking is good then I think your are on the right track, pay attention to your top knuckle as that has to be elevated! I think this is more important than your pinky.
I can tell you that some guys can block better with there pinky tucked in than out and I am starting to see why. |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 7:53 pm
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| I have always curled the little finger and third finger under, which feels relaxed and natural for me. I tried sticking one or both out in the beginning, and have tried it occasionally since just to see if I could do it, but for me it creates a strain in my second finger that makes it weak and very hard even to control. I think which is best depends entirely on the individual's anatomy. |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 11:04 pm
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I asked Sarah Jory about this a few years ago and She told me She plays with the pinky straight out but blocks with the third finger which is tucked in.
Billy |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 3:10 am
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As a few here have said, it doesn't make any difference, as long as it's comfortable to you!
Many other aspects of playing (such as intonation, volume pedal control, and left-hand technique), are far more important. Master them first, and then you can worry about that "little finger"! |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2007 5:22 am
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Everyones Tendons in their hands react differently. You should try the non-picking fingers in different positions; and see which enables you to move your picking fingers as freely as possible. Some positions may inhibate the free movement of tendons in your picking fingers. What ever feels the most comfortable and free movement; is the way your hand is designed to be.
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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