Three fingers or four?

[64Guitars]

A comment in the Alex Hutchings topic got me wondering about how many of our members fret with their little finger when playing lead guitar. I've always been amazed at how many guitar players, even professionals, never use their little finger to fret notes when playing lead. I use all four fingers and sometimes my thumb (though mostly for chords). It only makes sense to me. The more fingers, the better. I'd use five if I could grow another one.

Anyway, I'm just curious about the ratio here and thought it would make an interesting poll.

[Farrell Jackson]

I share your same technique 64guitars........I use all four and occasionally my thumb on the low E string. Using my pinky gives me some extra reach and the thumb keeps me for having to reposition my hand.

Farrell 

[Gnasty]

Yeah but how many fingers does Tommy use? 

[Burtog]

I use my 4th finger but it doesn't feature too often, it almost feels awkward, guess its a practice thing. Since not being in bands for a while the reason to solo has become less so its not likely to improve unless I start learning scales.

Think I noticed this 3 finger thing with Clapton?

[Geir]

4+thumb for me too.  ....  And an occational 6th finger

[henwrench]

Yep, I'm a four finger player. In any order. No preferences. Same for the notes I play.

                                                                henwrench

[SdC]

Four + thumb (low-E string)!

[Bluesberry]

I got it from watching Rory Gallagher's fingers while playing.  All four fingers got equal importance in his amazing way that he played.  And, if it was the way Rory played it, thats what i wanted to do.....the best blues rock guitarist of them all.  I'm a pinky man too.

[Gnasty]

In hindsight we think all the great players use all 4 fingers but it`s not the case. I always found it odd
when looking at certain players how they would use 3 fingers mostly and stretch 4 frets or 5 with that
3rd finger. Eddie Van halen does that. He does use his pinky but not all the time.

Basically it comes down to how you started off playing and what`s comfortable. There really are no rules.

Tony Iommi was missing tips of his fingers and who`s that amazing guitar player with only two fingers again?

[Gnasty]

Oh yes...Django Reinhardt


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QATIHWbN-sM