Tips on pink?

[Kim]

Hi all
First of all what a great website is this. I bought a Guitar 2 months ago. Have tried it 15 years earlier, but didnt put enough time in iT and thought I couldnt be good at it. So now I try Again and practice almost everyday en really like it and are motivated to become better.
I have question About my use of pinky. When I do lessen 20, pent scales, my pink on lower E doesnt position itself like other fingers. When I have One finger on 5th fret lower e and pink on 8th fret lower e, i have to push my hand up a little to press the note good. Any tips on doing this smoother or is it just a practice thing?

 

[Ed Seith]

The pinky is from the devil. It requires MUCH more work to make it useful. It is, unfortunately, a practice thing. There’s a reason a ton of guitarists use their pinkies very little – they get fed up with trying to train it.

 

[Guest]

I agree with Ed, it’s really just practice and working on stretching that tiny little finger. Even though I have pretty long fingers I had trouble with my pinky when I first started playing guitar. Now I have better control of my pinky and can hit notes on the low E better. Just keep at it and you’ll be stretching like Syn in no time.

 

[Kim]

Thanks guys for fast response. Good that its a practising thing. Then i Will keep on practising the pinky!

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Hi Kim! Do you have any ability of uploading a video so we can see it? Even if you just post the video link to this page or if you feel more comfortable sending me the link privately I would like to look at what you’re doing. Practicing the use of the pinky has many different aspects to it. Of course we want to practice using it more than the other fingers at times, but there ARE things that the pinky tends to do more than the other fingers that we need to be mindful of to make sure we correct them so that although we are using at, we are using it properly. Is there a way that you can send me a video and some way shape or form of you playing it?

 

[Kim]

Good idea of making a video I dont like my head on it, so just close up of my hand
When i watch video it doens’t seem like im relaly struggeling, and its going ok, but not as easy as other fingers and it feels like i have to push my wrist/hand to get in good position. Thanks a lot forr offering to take a look at it!
video

 

[Ed Seith]

Form looks good, and I am jealous of your long, well-spaced fingers, practically MADE for playing guitar. Try doing it with winter gloves on and you’ll know my struggle is real!

 

[Kim]

Really?! Thats kind, Thanks! I Will remember the gloves if i think im struggeling

 

[Calvin Phillips]

I just replied to evans video talking about my pinky. I suggest trying g minor scale. Itll help train you to switch beteeen your middle fingers durimg the licks.

 

[Guest]

I see where the low E and A strings bend a bit when you play a note with your pinky. I had the same problem when I first started. I think I just kept practicing and kept an eye on my pinky. Don’t forget you can always adjust your hand to play notes better. Eventually you’ll be able to stretch your pinky and hit the notes properly.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

If you cant straight hit it you can always slide into it