Should You Use Your Pinky When Playing Guitar?

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

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[@TheSillyPiglet]

I never considered not using it. You've got 4 fingers to fret with, might as well use all 4 of them.

[@pcky6646]

but u lack spd and bnd

[@eilonrusso2276]

I have major pinky problem it gets stuck a lot because I broke it so many times

[@pcky6646]

@@eilonrusso2276 damn... I suggest you dont use it then, u still can be a g0d player without him...

[@eilonrusso2276]

@@pcky6646 tnx man I'm working on it but just as a hobby, and you?

[@pcky6646]

@@eilonrusso2276 i love it...

[@MoonWalker777]

Great vid! A passing phrase that you gotta make middle and ring strong to get the notion of what to expect from pinky , absolutely nails it for me personally! Thank you

[@p___w9103]

I'm from a blues background and used to neglect the pinky, but great channels like this one have got me into metal lead playing and the pinky is essential in my opinion now. All the best for the new year Ben and try and bang another album out. Cheers.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Cheers man, HNY!

[@josiahbryan9972]

I've watched a lot of Ben's videos and one of the main ideas I see in all of his videos is that playing and practicing efficiently will get you where you want as a guitarist. Want to speed pick faster? Work on your picking movement efficiency and your fretting hand efficiency. Should you use your pinky? If it helps you play parts you want to play more efficiently, then yeah you should consider it. I think this is an excellent foundation for lessons.

[@JDODify]

I do use all 4 of my fingers... I have no problem using my pinky generally. What I find awkward is using my 1st finger, ring finger and pinky on a run. I’m fine with 1st finger, middle finger and pinky on fast run.

[@ibaneziori]

same here

[@metalgod72]

Something I have struggled with ever since logging hours with Paul Gilbert. I have no issues with first, second and pinky but the pinky and ring don't always get along.

[@johnsmith-pw7oj]

same, also, switching from 4 fingers/pinkyuse mode to just 3 finger/nopinky mode during fast runs is probably what i struggle the most, the fretting hand position is different and i may lag a bit when switching position if it is a very fast run, anyways, i've forced myself to use my pinky a bit more cause so many chords and licks im playing lately requires me to

[@basementrocker2764]

Just having the pinky as hidden weapon to reach one of those difficult notes is a life saver. It can save you a lot of time and hand movement

[@Iheartdgd]

This is the video I was waiting for Ben! Thank you!

[@Oilid]

Django Reinhardt approved.

[@MrJudo2go]

Some of us don't have a choice when it comes to the 4th (pinky) finger. Mine was injured in a work accident years ago, and is stuck at 90° angle. It is a handicap, but mostly I find for chords. I happen to have extremely large and long fingers. My hands rival Albert King.

[@lavbas2107]

I only use mah pinky for the shocker

[@mrpd2765]

happy new year ben!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Thanks - you too!

[@nuberiffic]

Do you have to use your pinky? No, of course not. You don't have to use any of your fingers, but it sure does make things easier if you do ;)

[@copenhagen6116]

After the 7th fret it’s impossible for me to use all 4 fingers personally to shred. Instead I’ve learned to stretch my index finger as far as I can and using hand taps. It sounds good to me

[@CHOPERUS23]

As a neo-classical player i'd be lost without my pinky haha.

[@einarabelc5]

I can't believe you're the guy from downward pick slanting, long hair

[@roathripper]

let's raise a pinky to 2019 and show the middle finger to 2018! hurrah!

[@d.nakamura9579]

Hey Ben, I’d like to hear your take on bending with the pinky (supported by at least the ring finger, of course).

[@nathanielramos5338]

Thanks for these video. I have bent pinky finger it's a bit of an issue when I'm practicing my scale on acoustic.

[@jakenogard9667]

Im a new player but i would definately suggest use the pinky all the necessary shapes for your own good. Im a fan of Slash but i would never play like slash for sure. Just my opinion🤪🤘🤘🤘. Anyway, great video man🤘

[@uwusauce666]

this guy's wearing a DOOM tshirt, i trust him

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Trust in DOOM!

[@MrEnoBeano]

I like the T-shirt .. I miss playing the first one

[@serph2951]

I play a lot of buckethead music so if i dont use the pinky its impossible haha

[@hiraprxc.7141]

even buckethead use pinky alot 😂 even tho his fingers is like tim burton

[@calvinsomers1197]

Hey I’m very new to guitar but I’m already having pinky pain in the first joint, and slightly down that side of the hand. I don’t think it’s carpal tunnel or anything super serious because my wrist elbow and hand are otherwise completely fine, and the pinky doesn’t ever hurt throughout the day-only when I play. I’m taking it seriously though. I do a lot of typing cuz I’m an engineering student so that certainly doesn’t help, and admittedly I was grinding way too long when I first started out guitar so that doesn’t help either. This video gives me hope lol. If one day, after many efforts, my pinky still ends up unable to play consistently, there’s still a chance for me to get decent haha. But any tips for my pinky?

[@sandimastodd]

Dude,What kind of axe is that????????100% Sick as hell!!!!!!!!!!!Please reply in the comments.Thank you.Sandimastodd.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Hi Todd, I made a video about it - check my recent uploads. Cheers!

[@marceloalejandro8228]

Sick Doom shirt you got there mate!, Greetings from Argentina! since I'm struggling with Cubital Nerve Syndrome my pinky turned out to be useless within the months, I'm changing all my technique to make my playing less stressful

[@2Langdon]

Great stuff!! Any advice on how to cure flying finger problems with the pinky? I can use my little finger reasonably in slow stuff, but it tends to fly off the fretboard and curl up. I keep trying to find exercises or some way to train it to just stay close to the frets, but no really effective methods so far. And, yes, do need more strength, too.

[@ZoeyVagnerLLF]

is that a carbon fiber guitar :O?

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

It is!

[@ZoeyVagnerLLF]

BenHigginsOfficial thats super cool!

[@tanner3285]

I dont have super huge hands and I try to press my pinky down as strong as I can but it hurts like hell... any tips or advice? I had a lesson from a guy who told me that I need to press the string down so much until I cant hear that shake, rattle sound when I'm playing a string.... I'm trying to use my pinky and do it but I'm literally in pain! ☹

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

How long have you been playing for? What's it like with the other fingers? Is the pain in the fingertip or finger joints?

[@tanner3285]

@@BenHigginsOfficial I think when it comes to playing I would have to say I've been taking it seriously probably for a year or more now. My other fingers feel strong, they've already been through a bit of pain when I grinded my fingers into the strings when I pressed the string down. Also the pain in my pinky is in the finger tip. I also have a tough time pressing the string down so I dont hear the rattle sound this one guitar teacher guy told me about and that was when he was teaching me on an accoustic guitar.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

@@tanner3285 Yeah it sounds bruised tbh. It's just the discomfort of getting your fingertip accustomed to the same usage as the others. It's always going to be harder on an acoustic to start with but whichever guitar you're using, it'll still do the same job. The best thing to do is not to force yourself to press it down really hard at this stage. Instead, just get your finger accustomed to being used daily and let the skin get harder and forma a callous. As it gets more used to it, you can start increasing pressure but don't concern yourself with it right now. As the skin gets harder through friction it will be easier for you to then apply more pressure but until then, just focus on using it - not pressure.

[@WyldestZakk1980]

Another example is John Petrucci. He uses his Pinky only when necaessary (Sweeps for example)

[@blekmetal8140]

Yeah but his fingers are quite big than the standards, another user of pinky hand is paul gilbert and his wide stretches are much more difficult thank petrucci

[@coryleblanc]

it makes 0 sense to me to not use your pinky

[@XeviJames]

If it feels comfortable yes. END

[@joshm4382]

Why the Porsche logo? I enjoy your vids and lessons and you're obviously a great guitarist so dont hate me for asking but it looks like it ruins the guitar almost. Just my opinion

[@TerryThayer]

Thats his custom made carbon fiber guitar. Its pretty amazing. I think he has a video about it. I think its 4 lbs.

[@ChrisKadaver]

No, only use the backside of your thumbs?! :o

[@markd5067]

Newbee question....🤪

[@WyldestZakk1980]

I´ve overused my Pinky in the past. I always thougth "Use your pinky way more" but over 15 Years of playing, i realised, that it can restrict your playing.

[@TheOriginalProfG]

You are English speaking in English. It is little finger or fourth finger. Stop using colonial pidgin (correct spelling) English to refer to it as a pinkie

[@Alex-dr6or]

You don't call your thumb "big finger". It's just a term, take a chill pill.