Pinky Rules of Engagement

Technique
21

My most commonly used fingers for fretting:

  1. index
  2. Pinky
  3. Second
  4. Ring
    I swap back and forth between OFPF and Simandl
    I’d say my ring finger is the most uncoordinated of the bunch
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22

Interesting video. I basically use both techniques as I have small hands and at times its so much easier to brace the little finger with the ring finger, but at other times I do need to do the stretch, but hey, I’m a foot shorter than Josh!

1 Like
23

I’ve started to incorporate the 1 finger per fret as part of my warmup routine. It has done wonders for me. Especially for the ring finger. I set a timer for 8 minutes, set my metronome speed (I increase with 5 every 2 weeks or so), and work my way up and down the fretboard playing my 5 string bass. Going back to my 4 string, feels like I’m holding a twig.

It’s a fairly boring exercise but it’s very valuable for me and having done so for about 3-4 months, I cannot pick up my bass without running that routine, same as stretching.

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24

I’m a newbie working my way through Beginner to Bad Ass. I had surgery on my left pinky which prevents me from bending the last joint (right handed). I am religiously using my pinky when instructed without too much difficulty but I do find that when I repeat most lessons and use my ring finger instead it feels more natural. Will keep using pinky in case using my ring finger creates problems later! (For what it’s worth……)

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