Pointing the baby finger

Tim Tweedale · Post by **Tim Tweedale** » 28 Mar 2006 12:41 pm

Although no mention is made of it in the instructional material (or here), I see a lot of the great pedal steel players pointing the baby finger of their right hand out. Why?
I experimented with it, and my best guess is that it flexes the muscle on the side of your hand into a better position for palm blocking. You don't want to be tense in your right hand either, though, do you?

-Tim

P.S. ...or is it perhaps like Babe Ruth pointing to the outfield before he hits the home run?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Mar 2006 1:08 pm

I see a lot of the great pedal steel players pointing the baby finger of their right hand out.

And, conversely, a lot of great steelers dont!

There's very few "hard-fast" rules and techniques when it comes to playing this contraption. After awhile, players just settle in to doing what's comfortable for them. I'm sure those who do it have reasons, and those who don't have their reasons too, and they're both equally valid.

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 28 March 2006 at 01:09 PM.]

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 28 Mar 2006 2:19 pm

Winnie Winston does suggest this technique in his famous steel instruction book. You're right, it's for blocking.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 28 Mar 2006 2:53 pm

I think some players use it to hook under the 1st string to position their right hand to find the strings. I know, I've been there, done that.

Erv

Mike Ester · Post by **Mike Ester** » 28 Mar 2006 4:50 pm

I used to hook my little finger on the 1st string when I started playing. This was also due to the fact that I could block better with my ring finger curled underneath. Was never comfortable any other way.

So, as Donny said, there's very few hard-fast rules.

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 28 Mar 2006 6:01 pm

Why? Because Lloyd does it that way!!!

Seriously, it's more comfortable to me that way, and I usually hold it like that, but sometimes I'll curl the little finger on my right hand a little and kinda anchor on the first string with it.

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 28 Mar 2006 7:18 pm

It just happens. I find sometimes my little finger is straight out and sometimes its curled under with the others. I can play just as bad either way.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 28 Mar 2006 7:53 pm

One of the first things I found out when I got into the game was that I couldn't block--period--with my finger out.

Sorry, but there it was and still is.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 28 Mar 2006 8:55 pm

My pinky along with the ring finger tips are my main single string blocking tools so my pinky finger tip is trailing very close behind my picks at all times almost touching the string being picked.
Jerry

Bruce Hamilton · Post by **Bruce Hamilton** » 28 Mar 2006 9:03 pm

For me when you extend your pinky it is insurance that all the notes across the guitar will be blocked and not ring. If I am in a situation where every note counts I alway use this method. If I am in a more relaxed situation I will curl it under and take my chances.

John Cadeau · Post by **John Cadeau** » 28 Mar 2006 9:13 pm

Hey Bruce, would a more relaxed situation be jamming at the Whalley Legion
J.C.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 28 Mar 2006 10:16 pm

When teaching my students the fundamentals of palm blocking, my first rule is: there ain't no rules! But I show them what works for me, and explain the advantages and suggest they start there and branch out to other styles if it suits them better.

I do like Mike Ester, lightly rest my little finger against string 1, slightly curved (like Mike, my ring finger sits on top of strings right behind my middle finger, to help in blocking). The "wrapped" pinky does anchor the hand, but mainly it really lowers the palm to the strings. If you curl all your fingers atop strings, then let the pinky drop just below string 1, you should see what I mean.

One other tip: if doing all that you still don't get decent palm blocking: anchor your fingers in the strings, roll your hand forward and to the right slightly, and force that palm to set down on the strings.

But others are right: I've studied right hands of the greats for many years, and I've seen just about every variant work well.

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Bruce Hamilton · Post by **Bruce Hamilton** » 28 Mar 2006 10:25 pm

J.C. if it got any more relaxed they would have to roll a cot out for me.

John Cadeau · Post by **John Cadeau** » 28 Mar 2006 11:00 pm

Bruce you should have been there for the Redd volkart jam. We had guitar players galore. It was great. I could have used another steel player though. My last set lasted 21/2 hours.

Mark Lind-Hanson · Post by **Mark Lind-Hanson** » 29 Mar 2006 9:14 am

Since both my pinkies were bashed with baseballs as a kid they have a little extra kink in them, and keeping the right one straight out to block is plain uncomfortable
to me. I usually block with the left hand or the palm. They are right- there's no rule says you have to.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 29 Mar 2006 1:52 pm

I can play just as bad either way.

yup, just like me....

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 29 Mar 2006 7:06 pm

The most noticeable pinky~finger that I've ever seen and never forgot, happened way back in 1957 when I first met Sonny Burnett. His finger stuck straight ahead and actually turned up into a sharp hook at the first~joint, similar to the curve of a finger-pick! I have no idea why and I can't do it. I never took note of how I hold my finger, except I know I keep it out of the way when playing! BTW: Sonny was playing the famous Johnny Siebert D-8 Bigsby with Webb Pierce!

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