How do you use your pinkey!

[Graeme Moss]

In limey language the pinkey is your little finger. Bit concerned that I'm not using my ring finger on my fretting hand enough. If I start on a G on the E string (third fret)then move to a major second (A) I use my pinkey instead of my ring finger. This is due to having little hands. Anyone else do this? Is this bad, should I force myself to use my ring finger? Feels uncomfotable but should I persist?

[bassbrock]

I try to stay comfortable using all my fingers on my fretting hand when possible. I force myself to do it on a particular song and then after a while it becomes muscle memory.

[ropepuller]

Well, first you insert it into the appropriate nasal orifice. Then, you simply rotate and curl until you have removed undesired object.

[Austin Manny]

Actually, I am the opposite.
I am horrible with my pinkey but great with ring finger.
Different Strokes for Different Fingers, :ahem: I mean Folks.

[Graeme Moss]

Originally Posted by ropepuller

Well, first you insert it into the appropriate nasal orifice. Then, you simply rotate and curl until you have removed undesired object.

Not undesirable to all, my son eats it!!

Now about some input into my question

[The BurgerMeister]

well....

[Graeme Moss]

Originally Posted by The BurgerMeister

well....

If you carry on like that you'll never make the manager of that shop!

[The BurgerMeister]

seriously: if i'm playing a simple line, i tend to use the same technique as you (and many upright players) -> four fingers for every three frets. when i was learning, i always used the "one finger per fret" technique, so i'm comfortable with it and can use it when necessary. but i adopted the "three finger technique" from the upright bass playing i did in High School and University.

short answer: i'll switch between techniques depending on what i'm playing.

[Graeme Moss]

I understand the finger per fret rule but try fretting the bottom F on the E string and then using your ring finger to hit the octave on the D string. That would damage my hand after a while. I've watched many a bassist on you tube and very few seem to move from index to pinky in one whole tone.

[The BurgerMeister]

though i can do octaves with my index and ring fingers, i tend to do them with my index and pinky (at least in the bottom half of the fretboard).

as far as youtube bassing... they're usually playing lines with a good amount of skips and movement, necessitating the use of the so-called finger per fret rule. watch some upright bassists to get a better idea of what i'm talking about. granted, the notes are much farther apart on an upright than they are on a bass guitar, but i find the technique comfortable on the bass guitar for many lines.

like i said, i'll switch between techniques as the need arises. i'd recommend getting comfortable with both!

[Graeme Moss]

That's why upright players mostly play 124. Fret distance. Simple really!!

With 124 I never have hand pain unless I'm playing the major chord shape (135) for a good few minutes. So I'll guess I'll stick with it for now. I tend to use my ring finger only when playing sevenths in a Maj7 chord structure or beyond the 10th fret.

[winstonthecat]

I don't think I ever use my pinkey instead of my ring finger, but then again, I have fairly long fingers. I've always been able to play OFPF. Now if I could only hit the notes at the right time...

[cheesemonkey]

well you shouldn't stretch but you should just move your hand a bit to reach it otherwise you will get into a bad habit...

[namraj]

It depends if i need a fret above my first move, if for example im playing somthing based on a minor scale, and i want 1st 2nd 3rd of the scale i will use 1st 3rd 4th fingers however if im doing a riff like 1st 2nd 7th 8ve run down, i will use my 4th finger for the 8ve and 2nd

[warnergt]