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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Does anybody else use the outside of the third knuckle of your left index finger sometimes? I just posted my version of Silent Night over there and when I was practicing this morning it dawned on me that I use that spot on my hand in a few songs. In Silent night, on the hea-VEN-ly when I come off the diminished chord, and then later on the very last chord. It's just a Gmaj7, but I need that melody note so I am playing index on 3rd fret 6th string, skipping over the fifth string, ring finger on 4th string 4th fret, pinky on 3rd string 4th fret, middle finger on 2nd string 3rd fret, and third knuckle index finger on 1st string 2nd fret. I guess I use it in a couple of other songs too, but I was just wondering if anyone else uses parts of your hands other than your fingertips to get notes? |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | my fingers won't bend that far to be able to use knuckles.
I can wrap my thumb around the top of the neck to fret the low "E" string. Does that count? |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I have enough trouble using the four fingers on my left hand...
And somehow you jumped from four to SIX? |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I don't think I explained it clearly. It's the part between the thumb and the index finger where your index finger becomes hand. You don't have to bend your fingers, just your wrist.
And yeah, I see people wrap the thumb around like that but that's the one that's hard for me. My fingers are pretty short and if I get the thumb wrapped around, the rest of my fingers fall off of where they're supposed to be! |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Four fingers, a thumb, and a knuckle = 6. But yeah, seeing I hardly ever can make that wrap-around thumb thing work, I guess I'm back down to 5. I know some of you do that tapping thing that Jarrett is so good at. That is another "extra finger" too I guess. I don't do much of that, but I have used the index finger on my right hand to touch the string and pick with my right pinky to get harmonics up and down the neck. I learned Greensleeves that way once after seeing a guy in a music store do it that way. It was HARD, and would need daily practice in order to keep up the ability to play it. I was FAR too lazy to practice that much. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I can make a D chord and it sometimes doesn't buzz, but beyond that.... |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I wrap the thumb around.
I use the flat of the pinky for the A type bar chards, sometimes the ring finger if I need the pinky for higher notes on top.
But not as you've described it Alison. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Hound Dog Taylor, the blues guy did actually have an extra finger. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3651
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Both hands? That's genetic.
And, I can relate to Paul's comment. My fingers aren't all that big, 'til they hit the fretboard, it seems. |
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September 2003
Posts: 815
Location: Colorado | You have six fingers on your right hand. I met someone who was looking for you... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Originally posted by Todd G.:
You have six fingers on your right hand. I met someone who was looking for you... You met Inigo Montoya? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I have an extra finger. Somebody gave it to me. Actually I've been given several over the years.
I use my thumb over the top & the sides of my fingers, whatever works. I'm still struggling with that third (?) chord Merle Travis uses in Cannonball Rag. I don't think a normal human thumb is supposed to do that. Mine sure doesn't like it. You'll see the one- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oIw_ukvtKc&feature=related |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 381
Location: Miami | Alison, cool variation! I love it! I also use the thumb variation (which is why I'm stuck on the thinner necks), but I tried yours and it's pretty cool! (I'd have to practice it a million times and see which one's easier, but it's nice to have options). |
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The sixth finger
