Index finger in palm blocking

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Alan Ames
Posts: 52
Joined: 20 Dec 2002 1:01 am
Location: Jefferson City, MO, USA

Index finger in palm blocking

Post by Alan Ames »

I am fairly new to pedal steel and have been practicing pick blocking. Now I am trying to learn palm blocking and the video I got only stresses the middle finger and thumb. Am I going to regret neglecting to use my index finger?
Dave Krute
Posts: 22
Joined: 27 Sep 2002 12:01 am
Location: Poolesville, Maryland, USA

Post by Dave Krute »

Try to use as many fingers as you can. It just takes a while. If you focus on only thumb and middle you'll eventually have to play catch up with the other ones.
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Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17067
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

When I started, I used the index finger as opposed to the middle finger for single note picking. Later I learned to use the middle finger as most were suggesting to be able to play faster. I kept using my index finger too. Now I can use both comfortably.
Alan Ames
Posts: 52
Joined: 20 Dec 2002 1:01 am
Location: Jefferson City, MO, USA

Post by Alan Ames »

Thanks for the responses.
David, do you use three fingers and a thumb? I do on my dobros, but seems like the position of my hand with three fingers is ok for pick blocking, but for palm blocking, my hand seems to be in the wrong shape.
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