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Blues/Rock fingering question.


shniggens

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Take a look at this transcription - http://eltonscafe.com/Songs/PDFfiles/BitchIsBackSolo.pdf

 

How should I finger those fast repeating blues licks in G? Should I use the second finger for the Bb to B slide? I tried this and couldn't play it evenly for the life of me.

 

I have small hands like Elton, so I can't really reach using 4 fingers. (1-2-3-5)

 

:wave:

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Assuming thumb is 1, first finger is 2, etc.

 

Even with rather small hands you should be able to do this 1, 2, 2, 5 (sliding 2 from Bb to B).

 

Can you play the B-G stretch with 2,5? If so, you should be able to do this. I assume you can span an octave from thumb to pinky, but even if you can't (while playing B with 2), you can rock your hand to make it work.

 

It's not too hard, just takes practice. However, be careful about carpal tunnel: interleave practicing this figure with other playing! Don't repeat it for much more than its duration in the song at a stretch. This is exactly the kind of lick that can really damage your nerves if you're not careful.

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That's how I was practicing it, but it's hard to get it even at that fast of a pace. The finger has a tendancy to slide from the Bb to the B faster than it should. I'll just practice it more!
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Right, that's one of many reasons why they don't slide in classical technique. Remember, it's pop music! Close is good enough, especially if you work to keep getting better.

 

Practice at a speed where the timing works and slowly speed up.

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