https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:51:18 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-380145 Sun, 30 Dec 2012 02:00:16 +0000
"Marry Me" is a simple Travis picking pattern, named after Merle Travis. Merle did all his picking with just two fingers - the thumb and the index. Other people liked the sound, but virtually everyone who copied his style used three fingers (thumb, index, middle). Most pattern picking is done with four fingers. Typically the little finger isn't used for fingerstyle... since it's so much shorter than the other fingers, it can lead to awkward hand positions. But there are some players who use it, both in popular music and in some flamenco. So anywhere from two to five can be the answer for some players.

Listening to the Train tune, I'd use three fingers, having the thumb alternate between the bass notes. For example, when that C chord comes up, the bass note is C (5th string) on beats 1 and 3, and E (4th string) on beats 2 and 4 - that alternating bass is a feature of Travis style picking. Then I'd use the index finger consistently for the third string, and the middle finger consistently for the 2nd string.

It'll line up like this:
M I M I P P* P P* 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & The notation is standard for classical guitar, and pretty common for other fingerstyles: P=pulgar (thumb), I=indice (index), M=medio (middle), A=anular (ring, not used in this pattern)

I've put an asterisk on P when it's the alternate bass note. This is a really common Travis pattern... you'll hear it, or slight variations, in hundreds of tunes.]]> Guitar Players Discussion NoteBoat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-380145 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-380144 Sun, 30 Dec 2012 01:06:24 +0000
Thumb is used for E + A + D

G - Index
B - Middle
High E - Ring

Although I break my own rules, I think that is classical technique. I do the same thing and ocassionally use my pinky's nail for a quick sharp strum to add effect here and there. I've been told it's wrong but it sound so cool.]]> Guitar Players Discussion apparition https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-380144 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379526 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:42:30 +0000 Then the middle finger is added to the fore finger. If the thumb was the option then the fore finger is added to the thumb. Consider this second gear.
Then in tired gear the options really are not that important, because you will be either already using one of the options already and will add the third one so it will be the addition of the thumb or the ring finger....third gear.
Again what you add next is of no real importance, the use is now spread out across the hand, so the next gear up is a four finger use or a full five finger use. The music or song will dictate the amount of use needed. This use can be used from song to song or from song part to song part, in the end let the music dictate the use.]]> Guitar Players Discussion spiritboy https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379526 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379325 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:43:54 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379325 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379320 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:11:19 +0000
Me, I use whichever finger is free on whatever string is necessary. It's mostly instinctive, unless I'm learning a note-specific part, but even in that situation, finger/string choices are fluid. Whatever works.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Crow https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379320 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379296 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:25:04 +0000
Thumb is used for E + A + D

G - Index
B - Middle
High E - Ring

Although I break my own rules, I think that is classical technique.]]> Guitar Players Discussion fleaaaaaa https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379296 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379192 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:42:19 +0000
For me, I'd play this song with 4 right hand fingers. On the open position C chord, I'd pinch with my thumb on the A string and my ring finger on the B string (both notes a C), and then play the open G string with my middle finger and the Open D string with my index, rolling up. Later when the chord changes, my thumb would move to the low E string, but the rest of my right hand can stay in the same place, picking the same pattern.

But I agree with everyone else, go with what feels most natural. There is no 'wrong' way.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Big Lar https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379192 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379184 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 01:45:15 +0000
I'd play the C with the thumb the B with the middle finger, the D with the thumb and the G with the index finger. It keeps the hand stable, rather than having to move it to a new position every other note.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Alan Green https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379184 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379183 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 01:19:17 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-379183 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-43472 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 01:09:17 +0000
As you can see, the middle finger is pulling double duty by pinching the B on the bass part and then also using the middle to play the G string.

Should I include my right ring finger in the mix? Would I get faster? Speed is really my only problem with the song, but using the ring finger seems unnatural.

Thanks!

John]]> Guitar Players Discussion johntlewis https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/how-many-right-hand-fingers-should-i-use/#post-43472