Bar the pinky?

[benta]

Does anyone ever hold down two strings with the pinky finger? I do, especially when I form a power chord. A few weeks ago, I was told that this was weird.

[Billnc]

Yes, but never for a power chord/R58 pattern. I'll roll or barre all four fingers if needed. Usually the pinky is used in conjunction with the third finger on the same fret though.

[evilt70]

I do, I use my pinky more than my ring finger for fretting (I don't have very big hands, doing this lets me stretch further when playing)

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by evilt70

I do, I use my pinky more than my ring finger for fretting (I don't have very big hands, doing this lets me stretch further when playing)

+1 for same reason.

[Skitch it!]

For a powerchord - Root-5th-Octave, I use index, middle and ring. Otherwise with the pinky, I'll roll between strings or skip but never bar 2 strings with it, I don't like the 'grip' effect, I'll use independent fingering's instead for fluidity.

[benta]

Originally Posted by Skitch it!

For a powerchord - Root-5th-Octave, I use index, middle and ring. Otherwise with the pinky, I'll roll between strings or skip but never bar 2 strings with it, I don't like the 'grip' effect, I'll use independent fingering's instead for fluidity.

Huh. Never thought about doing that. Now that I think about it, though, that makes it much easier to hit the 9.

Joined today and I've already learned something.

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by benta

Huh. Never thought about doing that. Now that I think about it, though, that makes it much easier to hit the 9.

Joined today and I've already learned something.

Makes it easier to do the intricate stuff on top as you said imo, I'll go for independence over barring, 'if' I can, not always possible though.

And welcome to TB Sir ; )

[FretlessMainly]

Playing fretless mainly (first time I've used that here, BTW), I bar the pinky all the time. But as Skitch indicates, that puts a bit of cramp in the ability to move elsewhere. So, in higher positions, I'll try to bar the ring finger. But since I blew out my ulnar nerve about 10 years ago, my left ring finger is a bit curved and weaker than the others, so I need to constantly think about these sorts of things.

[otis_thick]

Does it sound good and work for you?? go for it...YouTube - Bill Clements

[Rockingbird]

I used to, but it always sounded like crap on my acoustic (thanks to the ungodly high action). Since then, I use my index, ring, and pinky. Oddly enough, since I tune my acoustic C#G#C#G#C#G#, I've developed the habit of only fretting a power chord with my ring and pinky.

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Playing fretless mainly (first time I've used that here, BTW), I bar the pinky all the time. But as Skitch indicates, that puts a bit of cramp in the ability to move elsewhere. So, in higher positions, I'll try to bar the ring finger. But since I blew out my ulnar nerve about 10 years ago, my left ring finger is a bit curved and weaker than the others, so I need to constantly think about these sorts of things.

I see what your saying, on fretless I use it more like that for sure, for quick intonation in 4ths, tricky splitting fingers for that one due to the intonation adjustment.

4th's are the trickier interval on bass to finger for fluidity imo.

[queevil]

I do when I play a r-5-octave on my fretless as it allows me to play with better intonation. On a fretted bass I would use my index, ring and pinky to play the same chord.

[Russell L]

Yes. When needed. I finger electric bass like double bass, for the most part, although I still use my third finger independently some, too, being a guitar player as well.

[NCD]

I think it's common for those of us with smaller fingers. I have bear paw palms and short fingers, even a 3 fret span can be a stretch at times.

I use the pinkie to bar all the time, usually for a fast syncopation between strings on the same fret when I need my other fingers elsewhere or when the preceding note leaves me little other choice.

IE: Supertramp's "Bloody Well Right"

--------3--------
---------3-------
-2----2-----2---2
----------1------

The pinkie is used to bar the third fret, first and second strings.

[Buxtehude]

I bar the pinky for 4ths especially on fretless. I use all four left hand fingers to bar as needed.

[Chris K]

Coming from fretless, I'm used to playing series of power chords with the fingerings 1-3, 2-4, 1-3, 2-4 and they work out just as well on fretted. So yes, I do bar with my pinky.

[ShredderMaximus]

I try and bar with my pinky, but sometimes I get screwed up cause where I try to fret on my pinky when I bar sometime falls on the crease of the joint, often times not fretting the note fully and giving me that godawful BBBZZZZPPPPHHHTTTT sound. I think it may be a strength issue, but sometimes I wonder if my hands just weren't meant for it. My bass may also need a set-up, though its not horrible or anything.

[sammyp]

i play all power chords on guitar with my 1st and pinky ...on bass too ..sometimes i use ring and pinky for root 5th root power chords though...