Holding down fingers for note support

[JeremyStingray]

Hi all,

I have always been confused by the recommendation; If I am playing with my forth finger, fingers 1,2,3 should all be down on the fret to support the pinkie and related. I have always found that I keep my fingers close to the frets but don't always hold down to support the intended note. Some times its because I am jumping strings, other times its based on a fast line, others its technique such as how I want the note to sound; hammer on; slide; pull off. And sometime I do support. Am I missing something?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Sounds OK to me. I started using one finger per fret using the major scale box as a guide. After years of playing I found that the fingers started deciding which one got what note on their own. I let them and did not have any problem doing so.

As long as the right notes are involved I do not see a problem developing.

Happy trails.

 

[Lobster11]

I think of that recommendation as a kind of "default" position for those non-fretting fingers when they don't have somewhere else important to be. But, as you say, they often do have somewhere else important to be -- like muting other strings.

 

[P. Aaron]

Just like professional pool players set the cue ball up for the next shot, your fingering strategies should be similar. But over all, I find at times, my freed up fingers will do this too.

 

[JeremyStingray]

Thanks everyone!

I am now thinking of it like when your practicing Martial Arts. When you train, you train correct form to build strength, balance, pressure sensitivity, ingrain placement and positioning. When you spar, you loosen up and all of the hours put in training supports the fight Haha....Fun!

 

[Lobster11]

Thanks everyone!

I am now thinking of it like when your practicing Martial Arts. When you train, you train correct form to build strength, balance, pressure sensitivity, ingrain placement and positioning. When you spar, you loosen up and all of the hours put in training supports the fight Haha....Fun!

You are correct, Grasshopper. And when you have finally mastered the correct forms, you will have truly attained the status of "Beginner."

 

[JeremyStingray]

You are correct, Grasshopper. And when you have finally mastered the correct forms, you will have truly attained the status of "Beginner."

Nice! Always a beginner!

 

[richntiff]

Play how you want/need to play. This will help you to find your voice - and not sound like everyone else.

 

[IamGroot]

If you know someone who plays upright well, ask them how they hold down the string and how they use their arm to assist.