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Original Post By:
Guest_Joyce
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
For the Pickers out there - Using Thumb only for picking melody is very limiting.
I use the Thumb for the 3rd and 4th strings and the Index on the 1st and 2nd strings for picking patterns.
Using Thumb and Index, opens up the opportunity to pluck random strings, develop patterns, and play two part harmony.
Adding the Middle finger (Thumb, Index, Middle) allows you to execute some interesting rolls.
Question? Practically speaking, is there any great value in adding the ring finger? I want to spend my practice time wisely. My Ring finger is a very weak digit, and I will have to practice a lot to gain control of it - time that might be spent more wisely on other things.
Thanks
Joyce |
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Posted By:
Guest_1four5
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
| I use my thumb and three fingers. My ring finger has total high string duty. I do a lot of 3 string pulls and double stops that would be impossible without my ring finger in action. I've never followed any lessons or rules, and it's just what I've developed that works for me :)...it only makes sense to me, 4 strings, four fingers. Perfect.
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Posted By:
Guest_Italuke
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
| Classical guitarists use the ring finger a lot. (Rarely if ever the pinky...)
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Posted By:
Guest_Ukulele Jay
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
| Check out Jake Shimabukuro's DVD "Play Loud Ukulele" and view the instruction portion. He offers such great advice and even teaches how to play his version of Yesterday. He does recomend use of Thumb and all fingers including the ring finger. He shows some great practice strum patterns too.
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Posted By:
Guest_jeremy
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
| i use my thumb + all fingers but my pinky. thumb on the g string and then that leaves a finger for each ramaining string. sometimes i vary things though. i never use my pinky on the uke though. actually it's rare that i use it on the guitar.
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Posted By:
Guest_UF
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
| When I fingerpick the guitar, I tend to use the pinky as an anchor, using thumb and three fingers. But I notice on the uke I just use the thumb and first two fingers. Huh. IT may be because my hand is so big, to use my third finger, I'd have to move my whole hand back and readjust my technique. Maybe I need to...
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Posted By:
Guest_Joyce
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
Thanks for the comments.
My ukuleles are re-entrant. Seems like the Thumb should be played on the lowest pitch, in my case C, and the occasional higher note on the 4th string. (?)
Using four fingers, the Index would be playing the lowest note, right?
Some of my resources say to use the Thumb on the 3rd & 4th and the Index on the 1st & 2nd. But I think it is useful to use the Middle finger. Still on the fence about the Ring.
TTIM is where I am right now.
Joyce
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Posted By:
Guest_Bill
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
Django only used two fingers because the others were burnt and he did ok on a guitar.
Conversely, your brain and muscles are installed with the ability to use the whole hand, if you are only using half the capability you may be missing out on some real fun with your instrument. If you are going to be alive for say the next five years at least, is it worth a bit of extra effort for say month until your muscles and brain get the coordination right so that you can see what you can do using your full capacity?
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Posted By:
Guest_To Bill
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Date: 8/21/2005 |
| Wrong hand - Django had full use of the strumming hand.
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Posted By:
Guest_Italuke
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Date: 8/22/2005 |
| Bill's probably thinking of Jerry Garcia, who was missing a right, middle finger.
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Posted By:
Guest_Pauline Leland
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Date: 8/22/2005 |
I use thumb plus 3 fingers mainly due to a guitar background. It lets me do one thing, pluck all 4 strings in a block chord instead of strumming to get another effect.
I sort of assign one finger per string, but when I need to play a second melody note on the same string, I'll alternate ring and middle or middle and index - guitar habits again.
Some phenomenal guitar finger pickers navigated the 6 strings with just thumb and index finger or thumb, index, and middle, so they'll work fine on just 4 strings. Until you want to pluck all 4 strings at the same time. How often will you want to do that?
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Posted By:
Guest_TRS
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Date: 8/22/2005 |
Joyce,
I have always believed that our style and technique is what makes us unique. I know folks in several disciplines who have turned their weaknesses or liabilities into assets. Unless you are trying to emulate a specific sound or technique that requires the use of your ring finger,then I would say forget about it and develop your technique using thumb, index and middle using your time to create that style of play. Even if you occaisionally use the ring finger to pluck all four strings at once, that is still not the same as using it to pick regularly. Using three fingers together does not require the same strength and dexterity as using the third finger separately. At any rate, you play beautifully and your contribution to the uke community is great. I know you will do well with whatever approach you take. Just keep on keepin' on and don't fret the small stuff. Thanks for all you give to us. TRS Tom Steele, DUH & CHUG
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Posted By:
Guest_Ukunewbie
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Date: 8/22/2005 |
| I pretty much use my thumb for most of my picking. That may change, though, depending on what I find is most practical after a while.
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Posted By:
Guest_Bertrand
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Date: 8/22/2005 |
| I used my pinky when playing an octave harmonic note (say for instance a C plucked at 3rd fret on the first string which must sound an octave higher) - must admit I have a hard time and need quite a bit of rehearsal just to make it sound when I try to slowly play the pieces that need it. Otherwise I have to struggle a lot in order to avoid using it as an anchor on the table. But I find using the pinky as an anchor makes it difficult to switch quickly from fingerpicking mode to strumming mode so I keep on struggling against this "bad" (at least from my point of view) habit.
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Posted By:
Guest_Bill
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Date: 8/22/2005 |
The point I poorly tried to make is that most people have the ability to be better. One of the reasons stars are stars is that they are never satisfied with what they are doing now and are willing to take the risk to try something new. If you have found enough time to work hard and have reached a stage where you have started to start think about expanding your skills, then you may be ready to start expanding your skills. Now you have thought about the issue and have some feedback, make a decision to proceed or stop. If you decide to proceed and are short of time, invest an appropriate amount of time in drafting a plan that you (it doesnt matter if no-one else can follow it) can follow to reach your next goal, get help from a teacher if necesary. If it is a difficult level you are trying to reach be prepared to face some difficulties and change the plan if it doesn't work. Always remember to have fun when you have your uke at hand, no matter how bad you think your playing is, and the difficulties will eventually vanish.
Thanks to For Bill for explaining that Django had a good strumming hand and a reduced fretting hand.
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Posted By:
Guest_Paul Cundari
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Date: 8/22/2005 |
I think the ring finger is a very valuable asset in the picking/strumming arsenal. In addition to the uses mentioned above, there are other benefits.
Tremolo - Developing a three finger tremolo can be effective for certain songs.
Playing chord melody - Third finger comes in handy when when you need to pluck only 2 or 3 strings while your left hand is fretting a chord.
Economy of motion - The less you have to move your hand to pick certain strings, the faster and more accurate your picking will become. If your ring finger is sitting above that 4th string, why not use it when the opportunity arises? Why make your middle or index finger move all the way over to do the work?
Joyce, What I would suggest you do to get your ring finger into the act is to spend a few minutes at each practice session using only the ring finger. Play scales, pick your favorite tunes. Do whatever you do normally when you pick up your uke, but just use the ring finger to do it. Then add your middle finger and pick the tunes alternating between ring and middle finger for each note. Another exercise would be to pluck chords simultaneously using thumb and three fingers. You get a nice damping action doing this. Before long your ring finger's report card will state, "Plays well with others".
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Posted By:
Guest_Sepi
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Date: 8/23/2005 |
Like Bertrand, I cannot use pinkie like an anchor and don't recommend that for anybody. This habbit really blocks the free movement of muscles - fingers are always working close even after long practice.
Ringfinger is after middlefinger the next important to play melodies, almost equal with some styles.
If a kind of anchor is needed, I let my thumb to thouch the side of fretboard just smoothly when picking G string.
Sepi
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Posted By:
Guest_ADF#B
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Date: 8/23/2005 |
Re. Missing fingers, the great guitarist with missing fingers on his right (picking) hand was Merle Travis.
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Posted By:
Guest_Joyce
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Date: 8/24/2005 |
Thanks for the words of wisdom.
Joyce
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