Neil, can you talk a little about how you developed pinky control, or give some advice on it...
danke
(maybe i'll post this in the TG questions bit too)
The dreaded pinky
Carpet- until Neil responds I'll throw my 2 cents your way. The obvious, and least satisfying, answer is Practice, Practice and more Practice. But that doesn't necessarily solve the problem does it?
For me, it is/was a case of just learning to use my pinky in everything I play. You have to force yourself to stretch out with your pinky and to catch the notes and supress the natural urge to slide your hand over.
Another great way to do this is with scales. If you discipline yourself for example to play every note in a scale that occurs on the fourth fret (or fourth position for sliding scales) with your pinky pretty soon it becomes second nature.
Before I joined TARGET I was okay with my pinky but I certainly wouldn't say it was equal to my other fingers. Now I don't even think about it. It's become so second nature for me that for the first time in my life I actually have a good callus on my pinky! I love it! I'll even do an occasional bend with my pinky just to prove to myself that I can! And I've got these big ol' bear paws that don't make it easy so I know anyone can do it.
Good luck buddy and maybe Neil can add something more to your question.
Cheers! :cheer:
For me, it is/was a case of just learning to use my pinky in everything I play. You have to force yourself to stretch out with your pinky and to catch the notes and supress the natural urge to slide your hand over.
Another great way to do this is with scales. If you discipline yourself for example to play every note in a scale that occurs on the fourth fret (or fourth position for sliding scales) with your pinky pretty soon it becomes second nature.
Before I joined TARGET I was okay with my pinky but I certainly wouldn't say it was equal to my other fingers. Now I don't even think about it. It's become so second nature for me that for the first time in my life I actually have a good callus on my pinky! I love it! I'll even do an occasional bend with my pinky just to prove to myself that I can! And I've got these big ol' bear paws that don't make it easy so I know anyone can do it.
Good luck buddy and maybe Neil can add something more to your question.
Cheers! :cheer:
Why thank you Bear! I know i know - i've been practising bucketloads, but my pinky still lags. I do more scales than a dentist, and I always use my pinky for the fourth fret away - i even begin scales with my pinky! it's still a half beat behind the other three though. and it wobbles when I'm doing certain chords. and it likes to put as much distance as it can between itself and my other fingers.
I'll keep practising though - any tips on how to speed up the results?
I'll keep practising though - any tips on how to speed up the results?
carpet wrote:
ROFLMAO!! :laugh:... I do more scales than a dentist...
Are you cross-picking correctly? I think everyone is slow with their pinky at first. As you feel more comfortable you'll anticipate when you will use your pinky and it will behave the same as it's siblings. I seriously think it just takes time. :cheer:...any tips on how to speed up the results?