Any pinky-specific exercise suggestions?

[jeffreybar]

I found a few suggestions searching...chromatic (or any other) scales, arpeggios, etc., which I'm working on, but I've been playing for a few weeks now, and I'm finding that my single biggest problem is pinky strength. I was trying to work on a song last night that required me to hold down both the A & D strings at the 7th fret, and I could manage to get a note out of the A-string (barely), but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the D string all the way down to the fingerboard while keeping the A string down.

So...any suggestions beyond those I already fished up?

Thanks in advance.

[Rudreax]

I had this problem when I first started playing. Just force yourself to use your pinky more, and implement it into your playing until you don't need to think about it to use it.

[v1paul]

I played the bass line to Billie Jean by Michael Jackson to strengthen my little finger. You will probably have to start playing it slowly if your little finger is weak but after a week or so you will notice a serious improvement.

[Chipsonfire]

Learn Sailor's Hornpipe the way this guy plays it. Strengthened my pinky up in a hurry.

[jeffreybar]

Originally Posted by Chipsonfire

Learn Sailor's Hornpipe the way this guy plays it. Strengthened my pinky up in a hurry.

Ooh! That's a fun song to know regardless. Not sure I can belch on cue like that guy though.

[grifff]

Use 1-2-4 instead of 1-2-3. If you do a search on TB you will find out what I mean if you don't already know.

[emor]

Originally Posted by grifff

Use 1-2-4 instead of 1-2-3. If you do a search on TB you will find out what I mean if you don't already know.

Fingering 1 -2 - 4 or Finger Per Fret?

[two fingers]

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