I have been playing for about 1 1/2 yrs now.
My problem(?) is that I feel more comfortable using my middle finger instead of my index finger. I know Josh stresses using the index finger but my middle finger is longer and seems easier to use.
Am I “wrong” to be using my middle finger instead of my index finger?
Any help/suggestions are really appreciated!
Don
Hi Don,
I was the same way when I first started! When I started going through B2B (which was a few years after I started playing), it kind of broke me of that. I still find myself doing a single finger sometimes, but alternating(ish) is probably preferable because it’ll help when doing faster sections or string jumping/crossing.
Hey Don…doesn’t it depend on what you are playing? For example, if I am playing something that uses the major scale shape, then I’ll use my middle finger on the root so my index is available to hit the 3rd note in the scale. For example, right now I am practicing Just Someone I Used to Know by Emmylou Harris & John Anerson and it uses a lot of major scale walk-ups starting with C on the e-string, D (e-string) E (a-string), F (a-string), so it makes sense to start on my middle finger on the C.
But, If I have to play something quickly across 4 frets of a string, I’ll start with my index so that I can use my other fingers to hit the other notes that stretch across other frets (otherwise my timing would be too slow if I started with my middle finger). For example, when I learned Long White Cadillac by Dwight Yoakam in Eb standard tuning, I’ve got to hit open E-string then frets 4 - 5 - 5 -6 -7 across the E-string which would be really awkward with a lot of shifting if I start with my middle finger. Then, the same pattern alternates with the A-string.
Hi Jenn…thanks for your response. I do think I need to try to use the index finger more, especially for some songs. Thanks again for your time.
Hi John…Thank you for responding. You are right about the major chords.
When I “warm up” I like to go thru the major chord and the minor chord.
That is one time time I specifically use my index finger.
Again, Thank You for taking the time to respond; I appreciate it.