Pinky or No Pinky?

[hoven]

I have talked to several experienced guitarists that tell me they seldom use their left pinkies while soloing (they are all right handed). They tell me that it is easier to shift positions instead reaching with their pinky. They also claim that by not using the pinky they have more control and can also play faster, which makes sense to me. Eric Clapton often comes up in the conversation as somebody who also does this.

Should I consider trying this technique?

[metaljustice83]

the following is all my opinion.

YOU SHOULD USE YOUR PINKY WHEN ITS NEEDED! don't do with out. I use my pinky all the time, its another finger, its like saying I'll use my ring, middle, and pinky, and NOT MY POINTER/INDEX whats the point of that???? your just limiting yourself. I use it for speed drills, and multiple notes on one string chords the uses are endless, just as with other digits, thier uses are endless. I think I read your question correctly, and I hope this helps. Oh think about this. Can't you strectch farther if you throw that pinky in, than with out???

[Bizarro]

Use it or lose it! ;)

Seriously, I would definitely use that pinky in any way you can!

Stevie Ray Vaughan used his pinky all the darn time when it was more comfortable and/or appropriate. So does Steve Morse, Vai, Petrucci, Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, etc...

Most *normal* people really need to focus on their pinky to make it useful.

When it comes to trills and hammer-ons, sometimes the pinky is your only option. It also can be really hard to play pedal-point licks without your pinky.

I guess the bottom line is that you don't want to limit yourself now and regret it later.

[hoven]

I’m not suggesting abandoning the pinky all together. What I am being told is that if a piece can be played either using the pinky or not using the pinky, not using the pinky is the better choice because of speed and control.

[Bizarro]

Ah-ha! Maybe at first your ring finger will be better, but not after awhile. With work your pinky will catch up to the other fingers.

Each finger has unique strengths and weaknesses. Some situations might sound better if you pick your most capable finger (any of the 4) to play certain parts.

You should watch some live SRV vids so you can see how he picks and chooses where to use his pinky. It might give you some insight that I am not able to explain well with words.

[SteveVAIrules]

Well from my point of view......i play just as fast using my pinky as i do not using it...because my pinky finger is pretty much ..just as strong as my other fingers.So there isn't much difference apart from the fact its a lot easier to reach certain notes or whatever whilst using my pinky finger.If u play faster using ur other fingers than u do ur pinky...surely this just means that your more used to using them or they are stronger fingers than ur pinky is...in which case u should work on making ur pinky stronger...because if it was just as strong...then u would play equally fast using it..as u do ur other fingers..accept it would make it a lot easier to play certain licks. Of course this is just my own opinion...but like i say personally i would use my pinky just as much as my other fingers...which is all the time ..obviously:D

[LarryJ]

I find there is a part of the neck...probably the 17th fret, or around there where using the pinky becomes too hard, and I switch over to the ring. Other than that you should definitly learn to use it. It just takes time, but it will develop soon enough.

[potshot]

I hate my pinky. It's uncoordinated and slow and argumentative. I want to replace it with another ring finger :p But I try not to avoid it because I don't want it to be useless. I've seen a video of Michael Angelo playing away like nuts (when is he not) and he seems to use his pinky a lot... including for bends, which is something I find hard.

[Oceano]

Use it when you need it. That's it.

[Koala]

It is true that many great players rearely use their pinkies (Eric Johnson) but you should always keep in mind that if its there you should use it. Practice trills with it and coordination so it doesnt feel out of control and weak.

[vetas]

Also, how would you do that Angus Young "pointer finger and pinky" rock solute without your pinky? Or that Hawaiian surfer "hang loose" thing? Use it!