Solo Techniques? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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Alucard

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Joined: September 10 2004
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Topic: Solo Techniques?
Posted: March 29 2006 at 10:55

front cover

a very classique but excellent method,where you learn to sightread at the same time that you learn to play..and to use all 4 fingers

Edited by Alucard

Tadpoles keep screaming in my ear
"Hey there! Rotter's Club!
Explain the meaning of this song and share it"

BaldFriede View Drop Down

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Joined: June 02 2005
Location: Germany
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Posted: March 29 2006 at 10:39

Asyte2c00 wrote:

I have a question about the art of soloing. I think im okay at soloing, whether its moderately fast or moderately slow. However, when i am jamming i find myself using mostly my index finger, middle finger, and ring finger, never my pinky finger. I would like to add this element to my guitar playing to elevate my performance.

Any suggestions of exercises to use my pinky finger while soloing?

Is it something only shred metal guitarists need to know?

Steve Hillage never uses his pinky for his solos, and is there anything wrong with them?

BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue.

proger

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Posted: March 29 2006 at 09:47

I never write me solos, I know good parts that should be in the solo, and the other I made up...

...live for tomorrow...

el böthy

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Posted: March 26 2006 at 19:55

I have that problem too, but at the same time if I put my mind to it I can use my pinky finger...
But, hey don´t make a big deal out of it...Eric Clapton never uses his pinky finger!!! And that´s a fact!!!!!!!!!

"You want me to play what, Robert?"

BePinkTheater View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2006 at 09:19

Just constantly play while making sure that you are using your pinky. It will get to the point of second nature

I can strangle a canary in a tin can and it would be really original, but that wouldn't save it from sounding like utter sh*t.
-Stone Beard

cobb

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Posted: March 24 2006 at 22:43

I assume you are talking about the left hand (fret board). Get a hold of copies of some standard scales and apreggio practice sets- with fingering. They will give the good old pinky a work out. Don't worry- all guitarists have trouble getting the 4th finger to work. Practice, practice, practice....

Flyingsod

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Joined: March 19 2006
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Posted: March 24 2006 at 21:39

To be sure there are those that play heavenly music on the guitar with three or less fingers available But if you have it...use it.

As far as excercises go try this. Dedicate a portion of your practice time to two finger playing. Use only your ring and pinky fingers. Get that sucker used to moving more often!

I have a similar problem in that I taught myself to fingerpick with no books or instruction. I unknowingly adopted the right hand technique known as the anchor position where you pinky stays anchored on the soundboard. Now I want to use that pinky and its lazy. Singleing it out and forcing it to do half the work has loosened it up tremendously. I feel like it will never feel quite natural for me to pick with my pinky but at least now its not such an alien feeling.

Asyte2c00

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Posted: March 19 2006 at 10:20

Any suggestions of exercises to use my pinky finger while soloing?

Is it something only shred metal guitarists need to know?