3rd and 4th Finger

[Rizla]

Take this

------------------------------------11--12 then back down
-----------------------------11--12
----------------------11--12
---------------11--12
--------11--12
-11--12----

If you use your 1st and 2nd fingers to play this, it feels fine right? Is it difficult for you when you use your 2nd and 3rd fingers alone? Is it even more difficult with your 3rd and 4th alone? It is for me. Is it normal? Some licks really begin to hurt if I play them with 2nd and 3rd alone and same with the 3rd and 4th alone. Should I try to make them more independent? Will it result in injury?

[ghandi234]

i seriously doubt that you will be injured by practicing finger independence. remember that sharp pains are a bad sign.

[rmuscat]

hey rizla ... yes for me it was difficult too to get them moving. I'd Stick to the exercise, Keep some things in mind though, if you feel pain or burning or whatever just stop don't push it too far.

And remember don't fret hard, just put enough pressure to remove the buzz. No more required (you'll be surprised how little pressure you need).

Good luck and take care of your fingers/hand ;)

[Rizla]

Yes, my fingers are very very light on the frets. Has anyone here made their 3rd and 4th fingers totally independent like the 1st and 2nd?

[DemonSorcerer]

Piano players suggest playing trills to develop finger strenght and indepence...if they can, why guitar players can't do the same?? I'd suggest playing trills with the 3rd and 4th fingers...play it consistently and in time, and make sure all the notes ring clearly and AT THE SAME VOLUME...it's easier to pay more attention to the pull off part of the trill...that way you'll make your weark fingers stronger, plus you'll develop legato technique, which in my opinion, is better sounding than picking...of course, depending on the situation you're using it.

David

[furiousnewf]

Try it with a full step stretch instead of a half step.

I find it hardest with my second and third fingers. But it is something I hope to improve.

Probably one of the best examples of finger independence is George Bellas.