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Post by joachim on Oct 8, 2014 13:15:02 GMT -6
I am wondering what's the best practice when moving between patterns, for example between minor pent. pattern 1 and 2.
I am trying to get my pinky into play at least for bending on pattern 1, but when I slide into pattern 2, for example in "Bends, Slides and Shifts" it feels more natural to me to shift position and use fingers 1 and 3 instead of 2 and 4 (which would be the natural choice according to pattern 2).
So what I am wondering is whether you religiously try to keep the natural finger position for the pattern, or if you shift position to use fingers 1 and 3 instead of 2 and 4 if it feels right. A similar issues arises in "Lazy Day Blues" over pattern 4 which you can play almost without shifting position, but in some places in feels better to me to shift from fingers 2 and 4 to 1 and 3.
Any thought on this?
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Post by jack1982 on Oct 8, 2014 15:31:29 GMT -6
Those patterns all have two notes per string, and I'll normally put my first finger on the lower note of whatever string I'm playing on. I move it up or down a fret as I move across the strings. There are exceptions, like if I'm playing a lick that includes two strings, I might use my second finger for the low note of the other string, but it's always first finger as the default. I never use my pinky for bending, I'll always just move my third finger up to do the job. I dunno, it might be a useful technique but I just don't do it  |
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Post by Phil on Oct 8, 2014 16:42:57 GMT -6
Great question, Joachim, and I do have some thoughts on this. I'm a big proponent of developing the little finger. It's another finger, and it has to be useful to develop it. In my personal case I have very small hands, so it's actually convenient for me to use my little finger as much as possible. It's often easier for me to use my little finger than to stretch with my ring finger. Having said that, I have to tell you that when shifting to Pent. Pattern 2 I almost always use my index and ring fingers on strings 1 and 2, and middle finger on string 3. I feel stronger, more in control and can use my ring finger for bends. I can do a full bend with my little finger, but I rarely do because I don't feel I have the control I do when using my ring finger and I'm still not comfortable with it. So my advice is to practice using one finger per fret and work on developing your little finger as much as possible. It's good discipline to force yourself out of your comfort zone. However, don't box yourself in by slavishly observing the "rules." For example, there are accepted ways to finger most chords, but you may find that you simply can't use some common fingerings and you might have to discover your own fingerings that are more comfortable for you. I'm 62 years old and have always (until recently) had trouble thinking "outside of the box." The sad part is that I myself created the boxes that I was trapped in. So, don't be a slave to the "rules" or to your interpretation of the rules. Do what you have to do to get the job done. There are many famous guitarists who don't use their little finger very much (e.g. Eric Clapton). But, I still think it's a good idea to work on developing it. Wow, that was a long answer to a simple question.  |
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Post by cunningr on Oct 9, 2014 10:55:46 GMT -6
I usually use ring finger and index in patern 2, in my opinion you need to do what feels more natural. I also try to include my little finger in some of the other patterns. I have noticed using all my fingers is feeling more natural as I develope skill.
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Post by bluesbruce on Oct 9, 2014 17:23:45 GMT -6
Joachim,
I prescribe to the theory that if you play well, nobody really cares which finger you use. I'm a "shifter", and I stretch my 3rd finger (rather than use the fourth) for bends. That's my personal two cents worth. In the classical guitar world, I think they're all about technique and fingering (also don't EVER put your thumb over the top). In blues, it's pretty much whatever works for you.
Bruce
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Post by joachim on Oct 9, 2014 23:18:50 GMT -6
Thanks for the feedback guys.
Taking classes is actually making my playing worse, because I am changing mostly everything about how I play - hopefully I will catch up again soon.
Things like picking-hand posistion, which I never cared about. Now I am trying to keep it resting on the bridge at all times.
Another major change is playing over pattern 1 with 1 finger per fret, i.e., without shifting position; I find it really difficult to get started on bending properly with my pinky. And there's the question of finger positions for other patterns, where it seems that shifting positions is more acceptable to guitar purists.
It will be great to watch video material from the 2nd edition of BUCY to get it directly from the horse's mouth...
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Post by wannaplayblues on Oct 15, 2014 13:02:52 GMT -6
Joachim, I prescribe to the theory that if you play well, nobody really cares which finger you use... So true! If it sounds good, who cares? Another thing I think is true is nobody cares about your picking method either - whether it's strictly up-down, or all-downs, or pick-and-fingers. What does it matter? It's the end sound that people are moved by. I doubt you'll go to a blues gig and spend your time asking the player how he picks the strings. Sometimes I don't even think/notice how I pick the strings as long as my brain makes my pick hit the right one at the right time Let me add that, clearly, certain methods have proven themselves as the right way to start on guitar - strictly up-down picking being one. I do not suggest you ignore these, rather, that at some point you stop thinking about it so much. |
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Post by joachim on Oct 15, 2014 13:36:11 GMT -6
Joachim, I prescribe to the theory that if you play well, nobody really cares which finger you use... So true! If it sounds good, who cares? Another thing I think is true is nobody cares about your picking method either - whether it's strictly up-down, or all-downs, or pick-and-fingers. What does it matter? It's the end sound that people are moved by. I doubt you'll go to a blues gig and spend your time asking the player how he picks the strings. Sometimes I don't even think/notice how I pick the strings as long as my brain makes my pick hit the right one at the right time Let me add that, clearly, certain methods have proven themselves as the right way to start on guitar - strictly up-down picking being one. I do not suggest you ignore these, rather, that at some point you stop thinking about it so much. Perhaps the bad habits might limit your playing in the long run - otherwise why do guitar teachers care about it? And it seems very hard to change bad habits once you're used to them. |
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Post by bluesbruce on Oct 15, 2014 21:07:05 GMT -6
I think you've certainly got a valid point, Joachim. I think if you've got the ability to play either way, then you can pick and choose what technique you want to use.
Bruce
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