Pinky control

[Jayster]

Pinky control


I have noticed that I can't seem to keep my pinky very close to the fretboard when doing runs(I'm sure that it would require less effort and probably increase my speed - if I could keep it closer).

Have any of you guys encountered this, and if so what exercises or techniques helped you out of it?

Thanks,
Jay :think:

[Ben...]

I do chromatic scales. They help with pinky usage as well as overall control and coordination. Also, there was a neat whole tone scale exercise in a recent Guitar World Jeff Loomis book thingy. It requires a ton of pinky use and massive stretches so it helps a lot with pinky control (You can't have it up high or else you can't reach the note).

For chromatic scales, keep all of your fingers close together and level with each other and it should help.

**Please note: This works for me but it may not for other people. Just try it out I guess.**

[jdr94]

i use the shocker anytime i can to exercise my pinky. lol. 2 in tha pink and one in the stink

[john.w.lawson]

Try beating off using only your thumb and pinky, do this for about a month! then start rubbing your balls with your pinky while beating off...should really help with control!

[Danno]

Hey Jayster,

It is hard to do. I have/had the same issue. One thing I noticed, too, was how much bad tension in my fretting hand was related to keeping the pinky pulled back tight. Bad habit, and it will only add unnecessary fatigue to your fret hand. The only way to do it that I know of is to stop yourself everytime you do it and force that finger to relax. It's like Ben said above, concentrate on keeping it close to the fretboard all the time, and relaxed. Good luck.

[jdr94]

you could practice 1-4,2-4,3-4,2-4,1-4 on all strings and moving up the neck. should help in pinky strength. not what you asked for but it could help

[dg]

There are some great exercises in Stetina's Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar that can really help, if you stick with them and follow his advice. Getting them up to speed pretty much forces you to be as efficient as possible with the left hand, which means the pinky has to stay close or it's almost impossible to do the exercises at full tempo.

[Cygnus X1]

Don't have much trouble with pinky usage or strength.
I used to do upper fret bends with the pinky before I played the 24 fret Jacksons.

My biggest problem is keeping it down.
It flies up, making the timing an issue on fast runs.
+1 to chromatic and whole step warm ups.

[Spivonious]

I've got the same problem.

I also can't do this with my hand _\ /_ without some major thumb-holding-down-the-pinky. I think it's genetic.

[horns666]

I like John's suggestions of course.

Honestly, I wish I had a pinky to control..it's completely lifeless. But I manage with my other ones.

[Shawn Lutz]

I've always used my pinky so I don't have that problem. Keep your thumb towards the middle of the neck when doing difficult runs. Always use your pinky, A lot of blue rock type of dudes use their ring finger in place of the pinky a lot of the times...don't do that

[horns666]

I've always used my pinky so I don't have that problem. Keep your thumb towards the middle of the neck when doing difficult runs. Always use your pinky, A lot of blue rock type of dudes use their ring finger in place of the pinky a lot of the times...don't do that

Your right. I never used to. But I have no choice. I'm actually lost much of my ring finger too (nerve damage atrophy). I have NO idea how I get by..but I do

[Jayster]

I've always used my pinky so I don't have that problem. Keep your thumb towards the middle of the neck when doing difficult runs. Always use your pinky, A lot of blue rock type of dudes use their ring finger in place of the pinky a lot of the times...don't do that

I do the thumb anchor(support) thing, but much like Spiv said it seems like the pinky and ring finger have some relationship that I can't seem to break. I strive to keep my fingers no more than an 1/8th of an inch away from the fretboard(strings), however when I draw back my ring finger it causes my pinky to retract(pull away) from the fretboard even further.

Aside from strange masturabatory techniques, I was looking for a way to break this phennomenon.

[Dred]

I went into my room just there to see if I could cook up some chromatics for you to try. Will see if I can draw anything of musical value later on today or tomorrow, as I have to head out in about 20 minutes. Here's some stuff.


-9-8----9-8----
-----9-8----9-8

Start off on top two strings, repeat till nauseum. Work your way to basier strings as you go along.

-8-9----8-9----
-----8-9----8-9

Same deal. This one is the more difficult for me to do.

-9-8----9-8----
---------------
-----8-9----8-9

--and--

-8-9----8-9----
---------------
-----8-9----8-9

Exact same deal.

Shifting positions stuff:

-5-6----5-6----
---------------
----7-8-----7-8

And reverse of that.

I am aware of how simple these are, but they'll help you some. Also, keep in mind that if you can't flail your pinky around on command, keeping it as close to the strings as you may want will be more of a challenge.

[Shawn Lutz]

I do the thumb anchor(support) thing, but much like Spiv said it seems like the pinky and ring finger have some relationship that I can't seem to break. I strive to keep my fingers no more than an 1/8th of an inch away from the fretboard(strings), however when I draw back my ring finger it causes my pinky to retract(pull away) from the fretboard even further.

Aside from strange masturabatory techniques, I was looking for a way to break this phennomenon.

It really shouldn't matter what your pinky does or how far off the fretboard it is, what matters is if you can do the runs that you want to do at the speed in which you want to do them.

I never really look at my hand when I'm playing so I had to test the 1/8 inch thingy. Sometimes my pinky is an inch off the fretboard, sometimes its a RCH off the fretboard...depends on what I'm playing. Truth is that it doesnt matter to me just as long as I can play what I want to play when I want to play it.