Increased use of Pinky!

[Voodoo-Child]

During improvisation with certain positions of the Pentatonic Scale, I have used just my first and thirds fingers, when the correct fingering invovles the second anddfourth fingers.

When I use the 'correct' fingering, I can't play vibrato or bend as well as the other fingering, I was wondering if it was a good idea to just get used to using my pinky for vibrato and bending, or carry on with my current fingering.

[phantom]

hey voodoo, what's up! ;)

the best thing is to have every finger at the same level to execute all weird moves. bendings, vibrato, hammer ons, pull offs, trills and so on.
i suggest bringing your pinky into the game and work on it.
remember, you only have 4 fingers to play, and if you can only use 3 of them for special situations you are kinda limiting yourself.

[DemonSorcerer]

I think that one must be able to finger the same idea in all possible ways...that way we can be ready to surpass any kind of fingering situation...just check out Eric Johnson...in pursue of the perfect tone, he would try zillions of different fingerings for the same phrase, often sacrificing ease of executionj for better tone...we're not looking for tone, but i think we all should be able to look for the best fingering that suits our playing abilities...Granted, all of our 4 fingers in the left hand should be at the same level, but we only get to that level only practicing...finger strenght, independance, flexibility for stretchs and stuff...

David

[Voodoo-Child]

Thanks guys, I have been slowly building up the strength in my Pinky, I am getting there with hammer ons and pulls offs using it now, I will also start using it for vibrato and bending.

The more I think about it, guitarists who ignore their pinky, are really limiting themselves, I am just glad that I've discovered the importance of building up the strength in my pinky now, instead of later down the line!

[jonnyh]

hey to help bend with ure 4th finger u can put ure other fingers so u rn't pushing up or pulling down with just ure 4th it is easier and ure hand will stay in a good position, u don't have to put all ure fingers on that string so u can be ready to do whatever u need to next
hope helps