When playing this, what should I be doing with my left hand?

[Teaboy]

I've been playing the outro part of The Mars Volta's Viscera Eyes, but I'm not sure which fingers to use and it's making my fingers tired far too quickly.

The tab is like this:

G|---------------|
D|----5--3-1-----|
A|---5--3--------|
E|-35--1-----135-|

I'm using my index finger for the first G and then my ring finger pressed over the E, A and D strings at the fifth fret. I have to press quite hard which is painful after a while.

I do the same for the F arpeggio but as I'm only holding down two strings it doesn't feel uncomfortable.

So my question is, how would you play it? Bonus for YouTube videos

[CodaPDX]

not really familiar with the song, but at a first go...

G|---------------|
D|----5--3-1-----|
A|---5--3--------|
E|-35--1-----135-|
---irppirp-i-irp
or
---iprpirp-i-iip

[Phil Smith]

Index Pinky Pinky Pinky G A D G'
Index Pinky Pinky Index F C F' Eb
Index Index Pinkey F G A

[RHCP250]

you could try open ADG stings instead of the 5th fret on the lower three

[bobulibobium]

I find it the easiest using my index for the 1st fret, middle finger for the 3rd fret, and pinky for the 5th. i bar the 5th fret and 3rd fret

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Teaboy

G|---------------|
D|----5--3-1-----|
A|---5--3--------|
E|-35--1-----135-|

Without knowing the rhythm, it's difficult to recommend fingerings, but the places I indicated in bold above would probably be good places to use the open A string. This would eliminate your problem of having to cover three strings with one finger.

[Arpeggiator]

id use my 1st finger and 3rd finger for the G A D G, F C F Eb, by barring the A D strings and moving the shape accordingly the final part (F G A) i would use 1st 3rd and the Pinky

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Phil Smith

Index Pinky Pinky Pinky G A D G'
Index Pinky Pinky Index F C F' Eb
Index Index Pinkey F G A

Agree.