Finger Rolling

[Mateo150]

When using the fingertips to play, I find it impossible to roll the finger up to the next string. Its more like a really quick jump rather than a finger rolling up. I mean if you try to roll the finger upwards and its already on the tip, you'll only hit the fingernail on the fretboard. When doing a "mini-barre" such as barring 2 strings with the index finger, rolling up in very easy and natural. The technical rule I hear all the time is play with your fingertips, how do you finger roll up when doing this?

[rmuscat]

hi mateo ...

you are basically right i can't really see your problem.

When you roll your finger you will need to flatten that finger on the fretboard. When you roll on to the next string you won't be using your finger tip any more, coz its still leaning on the previous note. Like you said, it takes the form of a minibar.

You will need to move your whole hand slightly down to get confortable. Well that is true for me! see what suits you of course.

[Asperjames II]

you're going to want to have your finger already placed over the strings you want to sweep. that's the key technique. when sweeping down, have your finger at a 45 degree angle pointing away from the strings, when sweeping up, sort of point the tip of your finger downward to the fretboard, so it's easier to "roll". it mostly takes practice and patience

[Mateo150]

I was talking about rolling up (rolling down is easy) and not in any sort of sweep picking context. This was brought on since I started using Gunther's rhythms to warm up... the ones in the "A mouthful of Rhythm" article. The last rhythm "Groovy Country" (i think) has a lick thats repeated as the answer or counterpoint (or whatever else you wanna call it) in the 2nd half of each measure. The last 2 notes involve a pull off but the index finger is out of position if you use "correct" technique and apply the fingertip only. Its easily overcome and managable if you don't use the fingertip, which was what I had been doing (the minibarre). If one of you "technique" pros could comment, that would be nice.

I used to never really focus on "proper" technique when playing, its something I've been really trying to do lately and some of the "rules" like "use your fingertip" and other ones tend to be disadvantagous and not practical in a lot of situations. I'm about to ditch that whole scene and resume just, playing to make it sound good and do it while relaxed as my rule of thumb.

[rmuscat]

rolling up is just the same. Just the opposite direction. You can't use your finger tip on the first string to be able to roll. If you use your fingertip you'd have to lift your finger and move it up.

As for these rules, what rules? You make the rules to make you comfortable and to help your tone. Using your fingertips like all the rest are tips not hardcore rules ;) If no one else likes them tough luck for them if its comfortable for you!

Someone should post a vid or some images but i don't have a digital camera.

[DemonSorcerer]

I used to never really focus on "proper" technique when playing, its something I've been really trying to do lately and some of the "rules" like "use your fingertip" and other ones tend to be disadvantagous and not practical in a lot of situations. I'm about to ditch that whole scene and resume just, playing to make it sound good and do it while relaxed as my rule of thumb.

Remember, kiddo, that they made rules...and we guitarists tend to break them quite often...proper technique suggests that you should play using your figertips...but sometimes you just can't follow the rule!! i mean, how can you do a bar chord if you can't bar your index around the strings?? ;) just think about that...and you see...you are right...try to play as comfortably as possible...technique rules, if you see them in the positive way, tend to make things easier on the long road if you follow them...

David