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Fingerstyle ring finger problem
I've been playing fingerstyle for quite a few years and have always used all the fingers except the pinky. Lately though, I've really started to notice that when I play the top string with my ring finger, it just doesn't sound as full/rounded as when I hit it with the middle finger. In fact, it sounds quite shrill in comparison, which isn't good at all! To be honest, I have noticed it before, but it's really started to bother me since I decided to improve my right hand technique etc.
And I'm pretty sure my nails are well cut, I just can't get the sound with my ring to match that of the middle finger, which I'm guessing is a common problem, because I notice many players don't use the ring finger...?? I do know the Africans use their thumb and first finger so there's a more even sound, but that doesn't really help because I'm used to using three fingers - it's just that the it's really jumping out at me now when I hit the top string and it sounds, well, terrible! Any suggestions? Thanks...
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#3
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Not unusual, same with me. I think it's because my ring fingernail is thinner, more flexible, and has less mass than my other nails. Compare the tone produced when plucking the high E with a thin, flexible pick followed by a heavy, rigid pick. I've tried changing picking angle, nail shape/length, etc. with minimal effect.
Could be why some very accomplished pickers only use their thumb, index and middle finger.
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#4
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Practice playing the top string (aka string 1 (high E)) with your ring finger (aka 3rd finger) with a rest stroke to see what kind of tone you can get. Put a little of that angle of attack into your playing. You may be clawing the strings and pull them up some as you pick them. It would likely be a more pronounce upward pull with the ring finger than the others. You don't have to play a full (come to rest on the next string) rest stroke but the idea behind it may help you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVRmE4GipMc
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#5
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I used to have the same problem. I “ramped” (angled) the shape of the ring finger nail so it’s higher on the side of my middle finger. I also ramp my index finger in the opposite direction. I found out ramping/angling the nail shapes is pretty common among classical players, which is where I got the idea from. Works for me.
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#6
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You’re gonna think I’m nuts, but do you polish the under side of your nails?
I had that same problem until I started using super-fine sand paper (or emery boards) on the under side of my ring finger nail. Gary |
#7
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When I've had this issue it has turned out to be a nail problem even when I was sure my nails were fine.
after filing my nails I now run a super fine buffing block across them to fine polish the underside of the nail. |
#8
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I agree with the above . I had the same problem for the first six or months of playing fingerstyle till I started reading classical guitar websites regarding ramping fingernails for tone . Now before and after each practice session I polish my nails including the underside
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#9
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__________________
"Discovery is as much a productive activity as creation." - David Friedman |
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__________________
"Discovery is as much a productive activity as creation." - David Friedman |
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__________________
"Discovery is as much a productive activity as creation." - David Friedman |
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Yes, I did exactly that late last night, and it's definitely helping. Many thanks.
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"Discovery is as much a productive activity as creation." - David Friedman |
#13
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Yes, done that too, which definitely helps (so perfectly sane! ). Thanks.
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"Discovery is as much a productive activity as creation." - David Friedman |
#14
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The convention is to call the 1st string the top string, because it's highest in pitch. Physical position in normal playing is not relevant.
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#15
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Clive Carroll demonstrates a useful RH exercise here: controlling different dynamics for each p-i-m-a finger:
(You can do it on any chord you like, it doesn't have to be those juicy Villa-Lobos chords!)
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