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Pinky issues

Kat the metalhead

Music Theory Bragger
  •
    • Jan 20, 2020
    257
    1,064
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    Ontario Canada
    9
  • #1
    I just got back into guitar lately and I’ve noticed when I try to play with my pinky it just flys every where and I can’t get it to stay close to the neck This was not an issue when I played was nu metal cuz basically you just slap your guitar but now that I want to get into soloing this is a big problem, any suggestions or tips on how to fix this
     

    Firsty Lasty

    New Student
    Nov 11, 2019
    278
    284
  • #3
    I always give the same quick advice on this because this is something you can test in just a couple of minutes- relax and massage the front and back of your forearm before playing. Both opening and closing your hand should feel good. If muscular tension is a problem, and it is for a lot of people, this alone will immediately give you better control and economy of motion. If this doesn't help, then it's a matter of developing skill through careful practice.
     
    Reactions: Kat the metalhead

    idssdi

    Sold-out Crowd Surfer
    Nov 11, 2019
    5,336
    6,754
    Groningen
    11
  • #4
    Pinky can definetely be a pain in the ass but fortunately it gets better over time. Start playing the major scales up and down slowly(preferably with a metronome but in this case that isn't essential) and really try to use finger per fret(first fret pointing finger, second fret middle finger, third fret ring finger, fourth fret pinky) so for example if something is three frets apart play the lower note with your pointing finger and the high note with your pinky.
     
    Reactions: Kat the metalhead
    J

    Jak Angelescu

    Guest
  • #6
    In my classical guitar training I had to play with a rubber band around my fretting fingers and still try to make my movements lol. It was a fucking nightmare but it helped a ton. Doing finger exercises would really help a lot. Your pinky flies off the neck because you don't have control of the nerves in that specific digit. Practice doing finger separation exercises and strengthening exercises and it should help!
     
    Reactions: Kat the metalhead

    Jamie London

    GYNNER
    Staff member
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
    840
    1
    2,033
    32
    California
    synner.com
    12
  • #7
    Pinky has always been my weakness haha it really just does get better with time and practice. There are some great pinky exercises out there you can google and YouTube that should help a good amount as well. Just focus and do the thing (in this case get that pinky into tip top shape) and with time you’ll see a difference
     
    Reactions: Kat the metalhead

    Brian Haner Sr.

    Papa
    Staff member
    Legend+
    Fucking Legend
    Nov 11, 2019
    812
    3
    3,508
  • #8
    Practice 10 minutes a day WITHOUT using your index finger. Only use your other 3 fingers.
    Play some simple chord changes; G C D Am E, etc. Play some scales. Improvise a simple solo.
    Practice what you would usually practice.
    This will get your pinky in shape faster than anything.
    Caution! YOU WILL SUCK at first. But that's the point.
     
    Reactions: carlosmqr, Filip Tomiša, idssdi and 2 others

    Adin Shepherd

    Music Theory Bragger
    Nov 11, 2019
    480
    2
    927
    Melbourne, Australia
  • #9

    Yup, I was doing a simple economy picking excercise this way recently and holy crap, it's a big challenge. It's weird because using index/middle/pinky or index/ring/pinky is fine but drop the index and shit gets crazy.
     
    Reactions: Brian Haner Sr.
    C

    Calvin Phillips

    Music Theory Bragger
    Nov 11, 2019
    2,588
    1,988
  • #10

    It's funny you mention this.. I've been trying lately to make my d shape barred more often lately. Not using my index. It's definitely my strongest finger of them all and probably doesnt need the extra time then others do lol.
     
    C

    Calvin Phillips

    Music Theory Bragger
    Nov 11, 2019
    2,588
    1,988
  • #11
    Adin Shepherd said:
    Yup, I was doing a simple economy picking excercise this way recently and holy crap, it's a big challenge. It's weird because using index/middle/pinky or index/ring/pinky is fine but drop the index and shit gets crazy.
    Click to expand...
    Your brain is used to the connections that's why. Jak always has good finger exercises to suggest to help you change it up. I used to have the pinky issues you did. It's getting better.. I still cant hold a bend with just the pinky though although realistically youd never really do that. Sweeps have helped me add the pink into my playing too.
     
    Reactions: Kat the metalhead

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