Right-hand finger, in or out?

[David Berry]

I'm sure this has been discussed in some thread before. When playing, do you typically extend the little finger on your right hand or curl it under? I've seen it done both ways and I'm trying to go with extending it like my PSG teacher does. I think it may make blocking easier too, correct? It's been a hard habit to break, but I'm working on it. I'm sure a lot of it is personal preference, but there may be some technical reasons for curling or not. I've been told that curling is for beers...but hey, I could be wrong. So, what's your take?

[Joe Savage]

I taped a piece of a popsicle stick to my finger when I started playing, to get used to extending it.
Your hand will stay closer to the strings. And, yes, it makes blocking easier.

[Dick Wood]

Mine just sticks out on it's own without any help.

[Randy Beavers]

Mine sticks out, always has.

[Billy Murdoch]

Similar to Joe,I taped a pencil as a splint and played for weeks.
When I removed the pencil the finger immediately curled under.
All previous posts would indicate that you should do what is comfortable.I have observed Pro players who use each method.
Best regards
billy

[Brandon Ordoyne]

mine is tucked in....

[Moon in Alaska]

My little finger is extended out, and also, I find myself touching the first string from time to time.
I think that reference helps me position my hand for the next move...
I have seen really good players both ways...
Moon

[Jack Stoner]

Mine is usually "out" and sometimes even clutching the 1st string. However, when I'm using pick blocking it's not.

Some do, some don't. If you want to copy Emmons, he does not.

[Jerry Roller]

Mine is tucked under and is a great blocking tool as is the ring finger.
Jerry

[Roger Edgington]

There are great players both ways. It seems to be an individual thing. I've tucked mine in for nearly 45 years because that's the way Tom Kiley taught me to play. I can't play very well with it streched out.

[Jim West]

Mine's out

[Emmett Roch]

I have an "innie" (pinky finger).

[Ray Montee]

Until I attended a Jeff Newman Seminar in about 1980, I'd never heard of any other way, that just to allow it to curl like the rest of your fingers on the right hand.

It has served me well.......... But, I never made it to anywhere.

[Paddy Long]

Whatever works for the individual is the right way. Mine sticks out but is a bit bent due to an old rugby injury, it sort of hooks itself around the 1st string a bit too.

[Eric West]

Well DB, when I started taking lessons from Bud C in 76, he curled his under, like in all the old clips with the TTs.

At the time he was making the transition to holding it out. Also using the D on top of the C6.Both possibly from what E was doing. I always did it that way while I was at the lessons, but it never really stuck, and I've always curled it unless I'm changing up for some reason. Hopefully a lot of the other stuff I learned from him did.

YMMV



FHLE

[Tim Stanton]

I'm an outie too, and I have a unfortunate tendency to clamp onto the pickup with it. I have to be wary of that.

[Dave Mudgett]

When I started, I used thumbpick and 2 fingerpicks, and the pinky naturally curled in. But when I added the ring fingerpick, it forced me to stick it straight out. So now mine sticks straight out.

[Cal Sharp]

I played for several years before I ever noticed that I play with my little finger sticking straight out or curled around the first string. I guess it just came naturally. Like Jack, I sometimes clutch the string(s), so hard that I'm even bending the first 2 or 3 strings, as long as I'm not picking them. I've tried curling my fingers in a ball over the top of the strings, like Buddy C, but it doesn't work at all for me. When I pick block I tend to arch my fingers a little more, but the little finger is still anchored on the first string.

When I play bass I anchor my thumb on either the E string or the A string, depending on what other strings I'm picking.

I would say do whatever feels natural; there is no "correct" way to do it.

[Billy Wilson]

I was watching the Live at Bell Cove DVD the other day and I noticed that E is an outie and Rugg is in. That tells ya something. I'm mostly out.

[A. J. Schobert]

If your teacher is MR. Charleton, he helped me, ask him.

This is my take, David what is comfortable to you?

The big thing is you want to be able to move your right freely up and down, if you got that and your blocking is good then I think your are on the right track, pay attention to your top knuckle as that has to be elevated! I think this is more important than your pinky.

I can tell you that some guys can block better with there pinky tucked in than out and I am starting to see why.

[Brint Hannay]

I have always curled the little finger and third finger under, which feels relaxed and natural for me. I tried sticking one or both out in the beginning, and have tried it occasionally since just to see if I could do it, but for me it creates a strain in my second finger that makes it weak and very hard even to control. I think which is best depends entirely on the individual's anatomy.

[Billy Murdoch]

I asked Sarah Jory about this a few years ago and She told me She plays with the pinky straight out but blocks with the third finger which is tucked in.
Billy

[Donny Hinson]

As a few here have said, it doesn't make any difference, as long as it's comfortable to you!

Many other aspects of playing (such as intonation, volume pedal control, and left-hand technique), are far more important. Master them first, and then you can worry about that "little finger"!

[basilh]

Out, it make playing "Palm Harmonics" easier AND faster.

[Ricky Davis]

Everyones Tendons in their hands react differently. You should try the non-picking fingers in different positions; and see which enables you to move your picking fingers as freely as possible. Some positions may inhibate the free movement of tendons in your picking fingers. What ever feels the most comfortable and free movement; is the way your hand is designed to be.