Playing Leads: Who Else Doesn't Use Their Pinky?

[Hamerhack]

Who else has a wimpy pinky?

I have pretty long fingers, and never use my pinky for playing lead parts, for some reason. It just sits curled up off the fretboard during solos.

For chords, my pinky comes in handy. I also use it for riffs such as "Money" (Pink Floyd). I don't really know why I never developed my pinky for bends, hammer-ons, etc. It's pretty weak.

Anyone else in the same boat?

I've been playing for over 30 years. I'm sure that putting it to use would help improve my playing. Any exercise regimen to get it in action?

Thanks!

[Guest big steve]

i remember seeing a preview of a guitar instructional video by the guy from quiet riot,carlos carvazi(?spelling)..any way i was shocked , his pinky never hit the fretboard.

but he still sounds great ,so your in good company.

[SteveB]

I don't know too many people who use the pinky for vibrato, etc. Even shredders will use it for fingering notes on runs but not for putting expression into them. Django "shredded" just fine with two fingers though, and the pinky wasn't one of them.

[sonic1974]

I used to use my pinky on leads all the time. Then I had a nerve injury in my hand so I couldn't move my ring and pinky finger that well. Gradually my fingers got better, but now I notice that I hardly ever use my pinky on leads anymore.

Good thing that my hand recovered and I can finally play almost a 100% again. ('ceptin the pinky)

rob in ottawa

[Camstone]

I use mine, but no vibrato.

[morningstar]

I can not picture not using my pinky. I bend pretty hard with it, but wide controlled rate "Schenker" vibrato is not happening with a pinky.

I got short thick cigar fingers, maybe that helps (or necessitates) using the pinky. You guys with Buckethead length tentacle fingers can probably accomplish great feats of three fingered dexterity.

git loud

morningstar

[kizanski]

This guy.

[atquinn]

Wow, I can't imagine not using my pinky regardless of what I'm playing. Then again, I can't stretch my fingers worth a sh!t so in order to play even basic scalar stuff, I have to use my pinky. Still, I don't know that whether or not you use it is related to how good you are. Chris Poland is a monster player and he doesn't use his pinky at all:

-Austin

[Crwth145]

This guy.

Darn, I was hopin' ta' see how many Jeffy was usin', too...

I try to use all five fingers. Too bad that most days they're all thumbs...

[jerseydrew]

I always use my pinky. I can't afford not to use all my fingers with my crappy playing.

[kizanski]

This guy.

Darn, I was hopin' ta' see how many Jeffy was usin', too...

I try to use all five fingers. Too bad that most days they're all thumbs...

Just like Jeff Healey.

More pinky-less rippin'...

[zorrow]

I do use my pinky, even for vibrato, slides and bends. I think I have some exercises at home to give your pinky a good workout. Let me see if I find them this afternoon.

[santellavision]

There's quite a few pro's who don't or not often. Clapton doesn't and Satch doesn't for most of his solos. He does on his scale runs, but when he just digs in for feel, no pinky!