Hi,
I'm playing the bouzouki on my one since a year now. And when playing melody I just use 3 fingers, I never use my little finger. I try but there's hardly any strenght and my ring finger gets in the way. So it's a bit stupid. Is there any exerercises that could help? Or just force my self to use it when I'm playing?
Thanks!
When I made the transition from mandolin to tenor banjo, I made a decision to use the cello style fingering. While it was a problem sorting out the two in my head for a while, after a month of concentrated practice I got the cello fingering down. One of the unexpected bonuses was a strengthening of my little finger since I had to use it all the time. This was very beneficial to my mandolin playing and I am now able to play in closed postions without losing tonal quality due to a wimpy little finger.
Your zouk should have a long scale compared to a mandolin and I think you might consider this switch. It is not easy and there are legitimate reasons for continuing using a fiddle fingering style, but if you are playing melody (especially if you tune GDAE instead of GDAD) the benefits of cello fingering over fiddle fingering are great in my opinion.
Of course the best players use whatever works which means a combination of both styles.
I think its a case of practice really, with a little force required now and again, until it becomes more natural. It does come with a bit of time and effort.
You can even use your thumb to hit some of those bass notes on your low "G" to free up your fingers some more.
Seanie.
"cello fingering over fiddle fingering"
I didn't know there was a difference. In playing fiddle I tend to use my little finger about half the time, particularly where there would be an awkward cross-string bow to an open string. To strengthen my little finger I like to do scales without using any open strings.
Having had cello-fingering explained, I think I would stick on the three-finger or fiddle-fingering but accept that you occasionally have to throw your hand around a bit. I know that some people would argue that's why they make octave mandolas, but I prefer the sound of the 'zouk. The little finger, unless you're Paganini or someone, hasn't actually got any more reach in the positions you need on a 'zouk, as you've worked out already.
For chords, obviously, use the four fingers when you need to, although I can't think of any I use that need four fingers, not in GDae tuning anyway. I must admit to putting the thumb on the bass string occasionally though.
A former teacher of mine recommended pinky boot camp to help whip it into shape. Or rather, all the exercise of boot camp, minus the bad haircut and psychological abuse. Unless of course you think those things might help.
My favorite exercises included pinky curls (she recommended a fully loaded grocery bag), and pinky presses (push stuff around, open all doors using only your pinky, stop meteorites in their tracks using only your pinky, etc.).
Of course it goes without saying that you should deliberately seek out 2 or 3 tunes that provide you with many opportunities to use that finger. You'll find after a few days of 'working out' that your once inept digit has the stength of 10 grinches...plus 2.
finger problem
finger problem
Hi,
I'm playing the bouzouki on my one since a year now. And when playing melody I just use 3 fingers, I never use my little finger. I try but there's hardly any strenght and my ring finger gets in the way. So it's a bit stupid. Is there any exerercises that could help? Or just force my self to use it when I'm playing?
Thanks!
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by breizhouki
Re: finger problem
When I made the transition from mandolin to tenor banjo, I made a decision to use the cello style fingering. While it was a problem sorting out the two in my head for a while, after a month of concentrated practice I got the cello fingering down. One of the unexpected bonuses was a strengthening of my little finger since I had to use it all the time. This was very beneficial to my mandolin playing and I am now able to play in closed postions without losing tonal quality due to a wimpy little finger.
Your zouk should have a long scale compared to a mandolin and I think you might consider this switch. It is not easy and there are legitimate reasons for continuing using a fiddle fingering style, but if you are playing melody (especially if you tune GDAE instead of GDAD) the benefits of cello fingering over fiddle fingering are great in my opinion.
Of course the best players use whatever works which means a combination of both styles.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/feb06/sessions.html
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by mikeyes
Re: finger problem
I think its a case of practice really, with a little force required now and again, until it becomes more natural. It does come with a bit of time and effort.
You can even use your thumb to hit some of those bass notes on your low "G" to free up your fingers some more.
Seanie.
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by seaniemcg
Re: finger problem
"cello fingering over fiddle fingering"
I didn't know there was a difference. In playing fiddle I tend to use my little finger about half the time, particularly where there would be an awkward cross-string bow to an open string. To strengthen my little finger I like to do scales without using any open strings.
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by Stewart
Re: finger problem
Having had cello-fingering explained, I think I would stick on the three-finger or fiddle-fingering but accept that you occasionally have to throw your hand around a bit. I know that some people would argue that's why they make octave mandolas, but I prefer the sound of the 'zouk. The little finger, unless you're Paganini or someone, hasn't actually got any more reach in the positions you need on a 'zouk, as you've worked out already.
For chords, obviously, use the four fingers when you need to, although I can't think of any I use that need four fingers, not in GDae tuning anyway. I must admit to putting the thumb on the bass string occasionally though.
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: finger problem
A former teacher of mine recommended pinky boot camp to help whip it into shape. Or rather, all the exercise of boot camp, minus the bad haircut and psychological abuse. Unless of course you think those things might help.
My favorite exercises included pinky curls (she recommended a fully loaded grocery bag), and pinky presses (push stuff around, open all doors using only your pinky, stop meteorites in their tracks using only your pinky, etc.).
Of course it goes without saying that you should deliberately seek out 2 or 3 tunes that provide you with many opportunities to use that finger. You'll find after a few days of 'working out' that your once inept digit has the stength of 10 grinches...plus 2.
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by _Steph_
Re: finger problem
I was playing Guitar at the time so I had already sorted the stretch out when i moved to zouk.
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by ecidralla
Re: finger problem
This is an amazing pinky exercise from Mike's buddies at Mel Bay http://www.mandolinsessions.com/dec05/jazz.html
# Posted on February 22nd 2006 by McMandolin