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Overusing the pinky?

Depth_Charge

Depth_Charge

Sep 13, 2006
4,143
182
Perth, Western Australia
#1
I am lucky in that I have developed a strong fretting pinky, and have come to rely on it alot when fingering frets around the bass.

I would say that, besides my index finger, it's my most used finger actually! My least proficient finger has always been my ring finger, so it's with that limitation I believe I've allowed my pinky to develop.

Even when playing notes between say the 3rd and 5th frets for example, I tend to finger the 3rd fret with my index, then drop all my fingers onto the board, allowing my pinky to finger the 5th fret, then lifting them off again to the 3rd etc etc.

I am quite mobile and do tend to finger just behind the frets, but I'm wondering if I am shortchanging myself by relying on my pinky so much, and not trying to force the use of the one fret per finger rule?

Advice welcome.
 
#2
Depth_Charge said:
Even when playing notes between say the 3rd and 5th frets for example, I tend to finger the 3rd fret with my index, then drop all my fingers onto the board, allowing my pinky to finger the 5th fret, then lifting them off again to the 3rd etc etc.
Click to expand...

I do that all the time, and it was recommended by my teacher. I don't think its a problem, unless you feel, that the other fingers are very weak compared to your index and pinky. If thats the case, then i wouldn't start using the other fingers instead of the pinky - just do a little cromatic scale excersise every day.
 
#3
I tend to use my pinky more than my ring as well. I used to use the "1 finger per fret" system, but once I gave up on that (after watching stu hamm play) I was a lot more comfortable and was able to play a lot better. I don't think my stretching has suffered much as I can still stretch out and play as well.
 
#4
My pinkie is probably stronger than my ring finger too and because of that I use it more. I still use my ring finger for faster runs and such but will naturally fret with my pinkie over my ring.

Then again, I think my technique is quite sloppy so I wouldnt be telling you this is the right way to do it.
 
#7
Well..."technically" its not a problem if you don't feel your playing is suffering. But then again...down the road you may encounter blocks and walls in your learning if all four of your fingers aren't equally strong. Plus, the extra stretching with your pinky will eventually make you a tiny bit slower.

My dad makes alot of his right-handed karate students go through entire classes using nothing but their left hand for everything. Before they know it, they've used their left so much, they've gained dexterity in that arm while making their right even faster because they're not thinking about that arm at all...
I'd do some pull-off exercises with your ring finger. That's a good one for strengthening fingers. Oh! And go through scales real slow using only one(ring) finger. I started out with a weak pinky, that's another way I got my pinky strong.
 
#8
This current thread addresses your question about 1-2-4 fingering to cover a 3-fret area on the neck.

There is nothing wrong at all with using 1-2-4 for a 3-fret area and it's very common. It's also very common that bass players feel their left hand pinky is stronger than the ring finger. I use both 1-2-4 and 1-2-3-4 and tend to play only 1-2-3-4 higher up on the neck. I almost always play octaves (skipping a string) with 1 and 4 and when I'm high enough on the neck where the fingers won't "fit", I play octaves with 1 and 3 (or 2 and 4, depending on the line).
 
#9
as long as you are able to play in the way thats easiest for you and it gives the results you want, then its fine. :) but if you encounter problems theres nothing wrong in learning a new technique, since the more techniques you are able to do the more flexible you are as a player.

theres also nothing stopping you from gaining full control and a relaxed technique from playing with 1-2-4 compared to a guy who can barley just manage 1-2-3. just whatever way you think is best for your playing
 
#12
The pinkie finger has a lot of strength, if developed. If you think about it, how many daily tasks involve the pinky? Not many. Thus it is in need of strengthening. At first it feels very awkward to use it, as anyone that plays bass or guitar can tell you. However, it is actually the second strongest finger and one the least prone to developing RTI.

As far as the one-finger-per-fret "rule," just like any other dogma it can be abused. Rules are meant to be broken.

I feel pain just thinking about playing octaves off the low F with my 3rd finger. OUCH! After playing for a few years, you'll learn to appreciate comfort over someone's laboratory theory of what the proper way to play is.
 
#14
I have this habit and I have recently developed trigger finger in my pinky.


Rumblestiltzkin said:
The pinkie finger has a lot of strength, if developed. If you think about it, how many daily tasks involve the pinky? Not many. Thus it is in need of strengthening. At first it feels very awkward to use it, as anyone that plays bass or guitar can tell you. However, it is actually the second strongest finger and one the least prone to developing RTI.

As far as the one-finger-per-fret "rule," just like any other dogma it can be abused. Rules are meant to be broken.

I feel pain just thinking about playing octaves off the low F with my 3rd finger. OUCH! After playing for a few years, you'll learn to appreciate comfort over someone's laboratory theory of what the proper way to play is.
Click to expand...

What’s RTI?
 
#17
Even when playing notes between say the 3rd and 5th frets for example, I tend to finger the 3rd fret with my index, then drop all my fingers onto the board, allowing my pinky to finger the 5th fret, then lifting them off again to the 3rd etc etc
Advice welcome.
Click to expand...

This is very common among bass players. Guitar players don't typically do this, but guitar players don't have 34" necks either. There are times when you want one-finger-per-fret and I'm pretty sure you're doing this when chromatics are involved.
 

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