Left Hand Finger Usage (Please Look At Picture)

blankstare77 · #1 10-06-2007, 02:48 PM

Where on the finger is one supposed to play for superb left-hand technique?

I hear "fingertip", but I am unsure of WHICH fingertip.

JimmyM · #2 10-06-2007, 02:52 PM

Split the difference and go in the middle. Too close to the tip and you do the bass-string-under-the-fingernails torture. Too far away and you end up flattening out your finger and not getting enough arc.

El-Bob · #3 10-06-2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Split the difference and go in the middle. Too close to the tip and you do the bass-string-under-the-fingernails torture. Too far away and you end up flattening out your finger and not getting enough arc.

+1

Mechanical Mind · #4 10-06-2007, 03:32 PM

I agree with the other two, but what I really like is that the diagram has hair.

efe_gallagher · #5 11-09-2011, 11:05 PM

According to my callouses I play closer to the "Or HERE?" part of my fingertips than the "HERE" part... the "inner" side of it (If I look at my own palm they're leaning towards the right side, not in the middle of it

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechanical Mind

I agree with the other two, but what I really like is that the diagram has hair.

+1

AmadeusXeno · #6 11-10-2011, 06:54 AM

For me it depends on what I'm playing. I usually play with an in between area like the others said but sometimes I play with the "HERE?" part of my fingers. I only do that to help postion my hand to mute unplayed strings.

Russell L · #7 11-12-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efe_gallagher

According to my callouses I play closer to the "Or HERE?" part of my fingertips than the "HERE" part... the "inner" side of it (If I look at my own palm they're leaning towards the right side, not in the middle of it

)

+1

Yep.

JohnMCA72 · #8 11-12-2011, 12:40 PM

Mostly split the difference, but sometimes it's necessary to "barre" a note, depending on what comes next (or before).

Also, on the lowest string, pressing toward the very tip a little more can help prevent pushing it off the fretboard (press from the tip down, rather than from the fingerprint center on an angle). It might be better technique to try to do that mostly, just to be in the habit.