Question for fingerpickers that don't use the index finger...

[Travelpicker]

...like me . I started to play acoustic country blues , travis p. etc. arpeggiating in this way , and I ask myself if it's too late to come back (muscle memory, 'rieducation'), IF IT'S A BAD HABIT . Anyway I've reached a decent level and I feel to make constantly progress , but I can't be sure , when I struggle and I make mistake , if it depends on me and on any other reason or on the disuse of the index finger ; this way of playing ,of course ,force to an overwork of the other fingers ...

[Silly Moustache]

You refer to Travis Picking, There is also the Carter scratch, and probably other individual playing styles named after someone who was first widely observed doing something different.

You are doing something different!

NOTE: there are defined methods for playing classical guitars.
Steel string guitars ? No "rules" - so whatever works for you is fine.
Maybe it will become a popular style named after you!

[JonPR]

Seems like you play the same way I taught myself (back in the 1960s) . My main picking finger is my middle, with ring as my secondary one.

I do use the index, but only occasionally, when I actually need all 3 fingers (eg for picking 4 strings all at once).

I don't regard it as a bad habit, but that's because I can use my index when required. (I might use it more often when playing classical pieces, just less often in alternating bass folk/country styles.)

So my advice is don't worry about it: carry on with whatever you find comfortable, but do try now and then to add the index - you never know what you might need it ...

Here's me with my own 2-finger approach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5LZ4s4mPKM

BTW, Merle Travis himself used index only! (No middle or ring.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btVAuFMpNr4
So anyone using index and middle is not really "Travis picking"!
But that just shows there is no authoritative orthodoxy here - most of the old guys used two fingers, index and middle primarily. But that's just "common practice", not any kind of "rule".

[mawmow]

You do not have a bad habit, just a different way.
Some used a pick between thumb and index finger, so they have to use the other fingers as well.
But yes, you could change your habit if you never use a pick or could use a thumb pick.

[Methos1979]

You're not alone. I play this way as well. Not sure why, it just sort of developed that way. I never took a deliberate approach to learning fingerstyle but rather just played and that's what my hand/fingers did. I do on occasion hit a string deliberately with the index finger but it's very rare.

I actually did a post quite some time back asking others if they played this way and while it was not the common combination of fingers, there were at least a few others that played this way. I went and found that post. It was a poll I did so you can see the numbers of the different types of play. 15 people played like you and me!

Here's a direct link to that post: Fingerstyle players: How many fingers?

[RodB]

I’m another player who relies most on the middle finger and ring, bringing the index into play just when needed. Thankfully we don’t all play the same way - it’s part of what gives us our own take on the music.

Here is an example - I only start to ‘need’ the index finger after about 1 minute in: https://youtu.be/ZPa0f3meASA?si=c85Nn-JCRATDGGLU

[If you note the tuning and capos you can tell I am not one to ‘conform’. . ]

[Travelpicker]

I really thank everyone for your feedback , as usual essential for me ! Not so many chances here in Italy to get something like this...

[Coler]

It’s only a bad habit if it is limiting you by keeping you from playing what you want to play, or from playing the way you want to play.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I think the vast majority of Travis picking can be done with the thumb and one finger. Do what works for you.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Nothing wrong with it, and not using your forefinger also opens you up to hybrid picking — holding a flatpick with your thumb and forefinger while picking treble strings with your middle and ring fingers.

Jerry Garcia didn't seem to miss his middle finger. He just used the others. Mostly flatpicked and hybrid on guitar, but he used his thumb and three fingers on banjo and pedal steel.

[Doug Young]

I found myself doing that when I first started focusing on fingerstyle, probably because before that I was mostly playing electric and did a lot of hybrid picking. It took some focused effort to retrain myself to bring in the index finger.

While I agree with all the people saying "no problem, if it works for you", I'd point out that those two fingers are less independent, just because of the muscles and tendons in your hand. The 3rd finger is also generally weaker. So you're definitely limiting yourself by not using your more powerful tool - the stronger and more independent index finger. Whether that matters depends on your goals, the music you play or want to be able to play in the future. If you're happy as-is, then that's great. If you want to up your game a bit, you might start with something like the Giuliani 120 studies, to learn to use all 3 fingers. It should not be a hard habit to overcome, and having options is always good - you can always choose to use just those fingers when you want.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Bob from Brooklyn

I think the vast majority of Travis picking can be done with the thumb and one finger.

Indeed. That's how Merle himself did it (thumb and index) - so everything he played can (by definition) be done that way!

But that only proves that "Travis picking" is the wrong name for the style, if it uses 2 or more fingers . After all, he didn't invent it.

[tbirdman]

Interesting as I tend to use only the index and middle when I Travis pick although with other styles I will use the ring finger with the other fingers.

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by Travelpicker

...like me . I started to play acoustic country blues , travis p. etc. arpeggiating in this way , and I ask myself if it's too late to come back (muscle memory, 'rieducation'), IF IT'S A BAD HABIT . Anyway I've reached a decent level and I feel to make constantly progress , but I can't be sure , when I struggle and I make mistake , if it depends on me and on any other reason or on the disuse of the index finger ; this way of playing ,of course ,force to an overwork of the other fingers ...

I would call it a bad habit because it limits severely what styles of music you can play. On the other hand if you want to stick with
the styles you do play no problem. You can train your index finger to be part of the team given practice and time.

[Travelpicker]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

I would call it a bad habit because it limits severely what styles of music you can play. On the other hand if you want to stick with
the styles you do play no problem. You can train your index finger to be part of the team given practice and time.

Right .I mainly play country blues and some ragtime pieces ( not too hard, honestly...) , but I'll try to force to use the index too