A Quick Question on Speed Guitar

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   I know playing guitar isnt all about spped, however, ive noticed when i watch guitarists (Malmsteem, Paige, Vai, McGlaughlin, and Lifeson among others) they never move their index finger whn they play fast.  its always middle finger, ring finger, and occaisonally, pinky finger.

Why do they rarely use their index finger?  It seems the most flexible finger to use when playing fast

A couple examples:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=78D00dYOBrM&search=la%20villa%20strangiato

http://youtube.com/watch?v=e5Lesz2Eigg&search=magic%20and%20mayhem

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Asyte2c00 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 15 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2099	Topic: A Quick Question on Speed Guitar Posted: May 29 2006 at 21:26
	I know playing guitar isnt all about spped, however, ive noticed when i watch guitarists (Malmsteem, Paige, Vai, McGlaughlin, and Lifeson among others) they never move their index finger whn they play fast. its always middle finger, ring finger, and occaisonally, pinky finger. Why do they rarely use their index finger? It seems the most flexible finger to use when playing fast A couple examples: http://youtube.com/watch?v=78D00dYOBrM&search=la%20villa%20strangiato http://youtube.com/watch?v=e5Lesz2Eigg&search=magic%20and%20mayhem

Barla Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 13 2006 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 4309	Posted: May 29 2006 at 23:35
	Good question. I can't tell you so much, because I'm a bass player; but when I play fast, depending on the scale (the position of the fingers), I use the index finger.

Rosescar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 07 2005 Status: Offline Points: 715	Posted: June 09 2006 at 12:10
	I suppose that's because the index finger is the closest to the bridge?
	My music! "THE AUDIENCE WERE generally drugged. (In Holland, always)." - Robert Fripp

Moatilliatta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: December 01 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3083	Posted: June 11 2006 at 14:39
	My best explanation is this: This index finger is planted firmly at the root (for the lack of a better term) of whatever it is that is being played and then with the other finger you hammer, pull, bend, etc. He is using the index finger, but he's constantly hammering up from the index finger's note or pulling back to it. I'm pretty sure most of what I play is done like that. The more you use the index finger, the mroe you have to move your hand around, and you want to be able to keep the lower notes available with the index finger. I hope that makes sense.

W.Chuck Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 27 2005 Status: Offline Points: 606	Posted: June 13 2006 at 17:49
	One case is when they actually always play the same note with the index finger they let it one this fret and just pull of any of the other fingers, so you can play faster. e.g. B----8p7p5---8p7p5---8p7p5---8p7p5---10p7p5---10p7p5---10p7p5---10p7p5--- Edited by W.Chuck - June 13 2006 at 17:50


purplepiper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 23 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 280	Posted: July 02 2007 at 02:42
	I only move my index when changing the root, usually. A good guitarist doesn't move his hand more than is necessary, and yes, I play fast!
	for those about to prog, we salute you.