Hi everybody,

I`ve been playing the guitar about eight years by now, and now is a good time to start studying some theory (scales, modes, key`s, etc...). I`ve always played with three fingers, but I would try and learn playing with four fingers. Good idea or not? Any suggestions?

Best wishes,
Pic

The fingerboard hand uses the index, middle, ring, and little finger with the thumb kept behind the neck. These fingers are designated 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively in guitar notation. The plucking hand uses the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. These fingers are designated p, i, m, and a respectively in guitar notation (the lowercase letters abreviating the corresponding Latin or Spanish terms). That`s four fingers for each hand, just not the same four fingers.

Exceptions:

Bossa nova and certain flaminco guitar styles occasionally make use of the plucking hand little finger as well.

Rock, jazz, and country guitar styles often substitute a plectrum or "flat pick" for the plucking hand fingers or the plectrum may be used in conjunction with or in alternation with the plucking hand fingers.

You use three?
I use all 5 of `m
You know, you can play a lot more and faster if you`d just use your thumb for the bass string

Re: "Bossa nova and certain flaminco guitar styles occasionally make use of the plucking hand little finger as well."

Sorry, that should be "flamenco".

Re: "You use three?
I use all 5 of `m
You know, you can play a lot more and faster if you`d just use your thumb for the bass string"

The left-hand thumb (for right-handed players) should stay behind the fingerboard at all times.