Right Hand Technique

@emilernebro
Amazing! You are the best, Emil. Thank you for your lessons and the quick response.

This is super helpful,

Jace

@milligan
Hi there!
Thanks so much for your words and feedback!!

Yes, I usually rely och the index, middle and ring finger - although I also use the pinky a lot too. Robben Ford has a unique left hand in that the ring finger and pinky are almost always "tied" (close) together! He uses the pinky a lot - and he has a wonderful sound. It's cool to see so many great musicians - and they all have their own way of playing :) This proves that nothing is wrong... if it works - it's the right way for you! (When it comes to technique).. because if you look at say George Benson's technique compared to Steve Morse, or Albert Lee, or Tony Rice... Everyone has their own way of doing it - and it all works great for them! And they're all very different...

This is why I try to mention in my lessons that you should try different technique's on your musical journey - but don't get stuck in thinking "I have to use that particular technique because so-and-so does that, and he/she are so great that it MUST be the best technique". Everyone is different - and that's why we need to find our own technique that works for us.

Regarding replying on messages;
I actually always try to respond to the messages, however - your message got stuck in the filter for some reason - and I didn't see it until now. So sorry for this!

ProGuitar have actually never had as many students as we do today, and the response on social media and on the lessons are wonderful to see! We're glad that it's going in the right direction and that people like the lessons.

Hope you'll learn a lot from the lessons and please let me know if you ever have any questions!
Kind regards/Emil

@emilernebro
Hi Emil and thank you for your reply. You have encouraged me to listen and watch how other players do it which is great advice. I an enjoying this lesson and practicing the runs daily. Perhaps after a while a "new" style will emerge from my fingers! Thank you.

@marcd
Hi!!
Thanks for describing it like this - it's very clear what you mean now.
Awesome! This technique that you're describing was frequently used by Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau and others in the same style. It is a really great technique that I strongly recommend you to explore! I've used it too, but not enough! :) It's more commonly heard by nylon string players - for instance, I've heard the great Richard Smith use this "p m i"- pattern many times.

Check out this video at 1:42, where Chet Atkins is using the technique in the song "Cascade". There are SO many techniques and ideas to learn from in this video!!

So to answer your question; I'm actually not using this technique a lot since I feel that I can reach the same speed using only alternating between thumb/fingers - and I feel that its easy to get stuck when playing this technique on steel string guitars. On nylon it's much easier for me! But I need more practice! :)

Also, check out the lick at 0:42 in the video above (Chet Atkins playing Cascade), where he's using the "p m i"-technique when playing a descending line (3 notes per string).. It works great on descending lines. He's basically just playing a C major scale from the 3rd of the scale (note E) on the high E string, and playing the scale all the way down to the low A note on the low E string.. :)

Have a great day!
/E
Have a wonderful dat!

Thanks, Emil.

@JEricD

Thank you so much! So happy to hear this! Have a great day! /Emil