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Thread: Is shifting up one fret ok?

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    Default Is shifting up one fret ok?

    I don’t generally have trouble with my pinky, but a phrase in one of my favorite tunes—Half Past Four—gives me trouble because, if I play it in normal position, my middle, ring, and pinky are all separated by one fret on the first string: Index on 2 (F#), middle on 3(G), ring on 5(A), pinky on 7 (B). I think the tough stretch is between the middle and ring, exacerbated by that extra pinky stretch (am I beating this into the ground?). I can do it, but it’s awkward and trips me up. Is it “ok” to shift my index up one fret after I play the F# so that I can play the G, A, B sequence with my index, middle, and ring fingers? Do people commonly do this sort of thing? Or is there a compelling reason that I should suck it up and keep practicing with the “proper” fingerings until I get it right?

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    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    Nobody cares what fingers you use, they just want to hear the music.

    I don't understand your fret numbering, when you say 'index on 2 (F#). the second fret is E, or maybe I don't understand even more.

    But if you play the F# (4th fret) with your middle finger, G (5th fret) with ring finger, A open or with a short pink stretch to 7th fret, you can grab the B with your index finger on the A string. Or any other combination of fingers that works for you.
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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    Thanks, Bill. Sorry for my confusing terminology. All of these notes are on the first string. The numbers are fret positions. So, fret 2 on the first (E) string is F#, etc.

    I was prepared for the “whatever gets the job done” school of thought. I’m just wondering if doing this one-off type of arbitrary shift to overcome a difficult finger stretch could somehow hurt me in the long run. Sounds like you contend it won’t, which is good to hear.

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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    I've been working on half past four recently too. Great tune. If I understand you correctly you are talking about the run which includes the accidental G (the third bar of the A section). I play it with the stretch & feel like it needs to be done that way because it descends right back down to the F#, right? (E F# G A B A F# E F# E I think) If you shift up it would mean a long stretch from your ring on the A down to your index on the F#. No thanks. I have a hard time getting my pinky to sound as powerfully as I'd like sometimes and certainly cheat with my ring finger on the 7th fret here and there but I think on this tune you need to suck it up and follow the rules. At least I do.
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    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    Thanks for the clarification, I forgot about F# living in other places

    You should be able to make that stretch with a bit of work over time. My small hand can do it just fine on my 15" scale instruments. You can also play it starting on the A string, 9th and 10th frets, and then move to the E string 5 and 7. It all depends on what's before and what's after this series of notes.

    I think increasing your hand flexibility is always a good, but play it as you can.
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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    Yeah, love this tune! I think we’re talking about the same phrase, but we play it a little different. I play E F# G A B G A G E C#. So, if I didn’t the index shift up to that G, it would be there when I come back down to it. Incidentally, I have no problem stretching my pinky up to the B while holding my index on the F#. It’s just when the middle is also on the G that makes the stretch doable but awkward.

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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    Discussing the fingering of one little four-note figure doesn't make much sense. The optimal fingering may depend on what comes before or after it. It's perfectly OK, often normal, to use the same finger for the f# and g in this case, assuming the key is something like D, A mixolydian, or B dorian. It may liberate the 8th and 9th frets (or not), which amounts to a position shift. On the other hand I can think of situations where I would play the f# and g on the a course.

    Then there is the question of left hand technique. I've found that a lot of people tend to hold, grab, support, palm the neck with their fretting hand, thus restricting
    mobility. Could that be your problem?

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    Registered User Ky Slim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    The answer is YES. It is completely ok to shift up one fret, two frets, 3 frets etc. Don't even overthink it for a second.

    No matter how much time and effort I spend (or waste) trying, my pinky will never be as strong or as long or as accurate as my ring, middle and index fingers. IMO properly shifting is a vitally important and useful skill but an under pursued skill. I think that too many players spend too much time torturing themselves, their pinkies, and their music trying to remain in first position (or in a single position).

    Before I get hounded and berated: I DID NOT SAY "DON'T LEARN TO DEVELOP YOUR PINKY">


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    Default Re: Is shifting up one fret ok?

    I agree with "whatever gets the job done" ... but I also believe in doing whatever I can to strengthen all my fingers, especially the #$&%#()(# pinky. Lately I've been spending a lot of time working through Ted Eschliman's FFCP scale exercises. Those require a lot of pinky work, and some difficult stretches. After spending a month on them, they still feel like mandolin calisthenics (which is basically what they are). They are still difficult, especially when I pay close attention to playing them cleanly and with good tone. What I've discovered, though, is that while the exercises are still difficult, virtually everything else I play is all of a sudden easier, and I can somehow play a lot of things faster than I ever could before. Sometimes I still do "whatever gets the job done", but I'm also still working hard to get to a point where my pinky can also be efficient in getting the job done.
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