This one guy told me....(guitar related) Is it true?

Question

I am assuming you are talking about your fretting hand... correct?
I developed serious tendonitus issues years ago, and some advice from another pro player literally saved my playing career.

Your 3rd finger is your weakest finger in your hand. Trying to reach with it is what causes problems. The solution I was given saved my playing career, as I said. Use your pinky and third finger together for all notes of your bass from the 7th fret to the nut of the bass. The frets are so wide in that part of the neck that it will tear your hand up if you use the "one finger per fret method" used by guitarists. Guitarists can get away with it because the frets on a guitar are not nearly as wide as those on a bass guitar. Reach with your pinky, not your third finger. ABove the 7th fret, it becomes easier.
paige

Answer 1

Hornet One said "


Well, yes. Like when you're playing the power chord which only uses 2 strings, instead of using the 3rd finger, I've seen many guitarist use the 1st and 4th finger instead.

It's easier that way

But i find the pinky finger to be weakest actually. Its just more comfortable as far as stretching your fingers goes.

But when it comes to playing scales, i notice most guitarist still keep all four fingers on the 4 frets to be played and use the coresponding finger instead of trying to avoid using the 3rd one all the time

I guess it depends on what you're playing "

Peejmeister responds:
Good answer! This was actually an answer to a bassists question about the third finger.... don't know how it got posted here!!!!
Anyway... structurally speaking, the third finger is the weakest finger on the hand, which makes it subject to injuries like tendonitus. And my comment about not using it below the 7th fret applies to bassists only, because of the width of the frets on the bass. On the guitar, I heartily recommend the one finger per fret method - no probs on the guitar. That's how I teach the guitar - playing in four fret blocks and shifting your hand rather than stretching a whole bunch.
And when it comes to your third finger hurting... it's like the guy who goes to the doctor complaining that "his arm hurts when he moves it like this..." and the doc replies - "Don't move it like that!"
So when a student comes and says that his/her finger hurts when he/she plays a certain pattern... I tell them "well then don't play that pattern!" and we find another way to play it.
paige

Answer 2

Well, yes. Like when you're playing the power chord which only uses 2 strings, instead of using the 3rd finger, I've seen many guitarist use the 1st and 4th finger instead.

It's easier that way

But i find the pinky finger to be weakest actually. Its just more comfortable as far as stretching your fingers goes.

But when it comes to playing scales, i notice most guitarist still keep all four fingers on the 4 frets to be played and use the coresponding finger instead of trying to avoid using the 3rd one all the time

I guess it depends on what you're playing

Answer 3

There are guitars in Blues, Country and classical too you know.

Answer 4

When i play power chords i usally use my my index,middle and ring(3rd finger).so this whole time ive been hurting my finger?wow thanks for the advice.

Answer 5

sounds good