Left Hand - What's your pinky up to? - ActiveBass Instructional Forum

Left Hand - What's your pinky up to?

Adam Copelin (12723)

Bass Instructional Forum
11/21/2009 12:22 PM

Hey all, I'd like to see what everyone else's left
hand technique looks like, specifically the
placement of the pinky when NOT in use. I was
looking through some gig pics, and apparently when
I'm not using my pinky (for instance, playing a
minor pentatonic scale up the neck a bit, starting
on the A string,) I have a tendency to hook my
pinky back towards my palm. Looks bad, imo, and
probably doesn't help my playing either. I've been
trying to hold it next to my ring finger while
playing, and I've been trying kind of a pseudo
upright technique, keeping four fingers within the
space of three frets. Anyone else do the same
thing? Anyone break the habit?

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Re: Left Hand - What's your pinky up to?

1/1/2010 5:48 AM

Pamela Jennett (1806) wrote:

First of all, Happy New Year to Everyone on AB !!

And my pinky is usually very busy. I have VERY small hands, even for a woman, and my fingers are, too. However,when not used, my pinky kinda sticks out in a curve. (Think of a poodle's or Chiwawa's tail. )

I had the honor and oportunity to have some lessons from Patrick Pfeiffer. (Hey Patrick !!! I will be trying to see you this year !!!). He suggested that I bend my pink into a more 'ready' position. I try...but the pinky sometimes, after years, does not seem interested. But when I look at my left hand and think of it, I try to change it.

Enjoy 2010 !
BAASSIK

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Re: Left Hand - What's your pinky up to?

1/1/2010 10:39 AM

Adam Copelin (12723) wrote:

Happy new year! I've tried to 'think' my pinky into position, but never had much luck with it sticking. Probably a lack of mind power on my part. :)

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Re: Left Hand - What's your pinky up to?

3/8/2010 9:16 AM

Sebastian Beer (4499) wrote:

My pinky floats over the strings next to the ring finger. When I'm playing sloppily, I tend to not curl the pinky enough, fretting with the soft part of the finger instead of the tip. Makes quite a difference on the fretless...

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Re: Left Hand - What's your pinky up to?

3/22/2010 6:47 AM

Gar Whitenton (4960) wrote:

depending on the audiance, sometimes I do this:

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Re: Left Hand - What's your pinky up to?

4/2/2010 10:42 PM

Dan Gable (699) wrote:

Hey Adam how u doin? I usually let it hover over the 4th fret in case I need to use that note for improv and ready to pivot for the 5th fret. The more notes you have in your arsenol the better.

Previous Responses [ Pages: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 ]