Poll: Do you use picks or fingers to practice scales?

[mrkpower]

If you use fingers (including thumb picks) to practice scales, how do you arrange your fingers for those six strings?

I'm a picker, using picks to practise scales all the time. But I would like to start using fingers because I also like the fingerstyle. I'm just confinused if using fingers, how should I arrange the thumb and other three fingers for those six strings.  And, if hitting the same string more than one time, which finger(s) should I use for 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st string?

[lw216316]

When I first started I kept it simple...
the thumb was for bass strings E A D...
index finger was for G
middle was for B
ring was for high E

I'm learning alternating bass style - where I pick melody with fingers and alternate the bass with thumb -
I use thumb and two fingers when I do that. So it is no longer the simple method I started with.

I'm also learning to use thumb alone or thumb and one finger for scale runs in a song
and in that case the thumb may end up on any string - not just bass -
and the fingers may end up on any of the bass strings.

To do rolls the thumb and fingers can end up anywhere.

In the past I've always anchored my pinkie - now that I'm getting beyond the basics
I'm training my pinkie to let go at times - such as when doing the Travis style or rolls.

- Larry

[ST]

I practise in lots of different combinations. Some examples (imagine going up and down the scales in different forms and modes in various positions).

Thumb and Finger:
Alternating thumb and index finger: thumb is downstroke, index is upstroke as you might do with a flatpick.

Alternating thumb and middle finger: thumb is downstroke, index is upstroke as you might do with a flatpick.

Alternating thumb and a finger:  alternating strings (e.g. E string, D string, A string, G string, D string, B string, G string, E string)

Two Fingers
Alternating index and middle finger: this looks like you are walking with your fingers,

Alternating middle and ring finger: similar to above

Alternating index and ring finger: similar to above  and then on alternating strings (e.g. E string, D string, A string, G string, D string, B string, G string, E string)

Thumb for specific strings

Fingers for specific strings

Rolls forward and backwards (scales on lower strings with thumb and two or three finger rolls on top)

So basically it's anything goes and try everything I can imagine.

[petesmithguitarist]

Fred Kelly Bumlebee Jazz mediums work for me..and fingers...it`s the best of both worlds for me. Cheers, Pete

[kaos]

mostly thumb and index but sometimes index and middle for the top three strings

mary

[Danny]

  Picks...but don't practice much. (surprise, surprise)

[Denis]

Scales? 

[obe-wan]

Scales? 

You beat me to it Denis!

Cheers, Scott.

[Danny]

   I'm surprised fongie hasn't made a comment about fishing.

[hadden]

I don't practice so much as aimlessly noodle. I would like to be able to learn up down stroke really fast and loud with my fingrnails so it sounds as good as the thumbpick.

[ducktrapper]

Yes, all of the above.

[dberch]

Practice scales?    I really should.....

But then everyone would be asking me to "Take one!" and I just got them all trained not to do that!   

David

[bluesman67]

What are scales?

[BluesMan1]

   I use a pick. Then scale fongie's fish!   After I'm done practicing!
     Jeff   

[fongie]

  Oh Dan and Jeff, I'm listenin' LOL
cheers
fongie

[GA-ME]

If you are practicing anything you should probably practice the thing with what ever technique you wish to utilize when you are playing and creating.

[Danny]

If you are practicing anything you should probably practice the thing with what ever technique you wish to utilize when you are playing and creating.

AWRITE !!!! I am doin fine

[BluesMan1]

   I practice scales @ night on my electric, unplugged of course. I play softly while my wife & myself watch a show on the tele. Is normally quiet enough so she doesn't complain & helps me do 2 things @ once. Gets to the point where you do the scales w/o even thinking, which is cool with me. Then, when I play a lead on my acoustic, it is just alot easier to do. And lets things flow better. Like GA-ME said, whatever floats your boat & is easier for you. Mine is also like the Dan method. I just do it however I want, but, also whever I want!
     Jeff