Re: Playing with three fingers
I'm not a bluegrasser, and can't comment on Jethro's style, apart from saying that I like it. However, my left-hand has limitations due partly to a plate in my wrist that generally makes it impossible for me to either barre effectively or make four-finger chords. You'll find that many at the Cafe have similar issues -- there are many old-timers among us. I found that using a finger exerciser from D'Addario helped me build pinky strength and precision, but only to a point. T'other day, I heard a scientist on the radio, explain that left-handers are much better with their right hands than right-handers are with their left. He pointed out that right-handers playing string instruments have a more complex job with their left-hand activities. However, the right hand is doing more precise work, keeping rhythm, so there's a reason for the way we use our less coordinated hand. Other than practicing and exercising fingers, I think you just have to play the hand you've been dealt, so to speak. I don't know how important four-finger chords are to your style of music, but many blues mandolinists get by with mainly two-finger "chords".
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
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