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Step 1
In Guitar playing, the fingers on the right-hand (the picking hand) have specific names. The letters that represent the Thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers are: P-I-M-A.
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Step 2
These letters are abbreviations of Spanish words, "P" = PULGAR
Pulgar = Thumb. "P", The thumb, is mostly used to play bass notes. Moving in a down motion only. Some flamenco players and some bass players train using an up-down motion with the thumb. -
Step 3
The next Spanish word is Indice = Index Finger = "I".
Because most guitarist are best playing with "I" instead of "M" or "A", many guitarist play the melodies of songs with "I" to make them more pronounced. -
Step 4
The next Spanish word is Medio = Middle Finger = "M".
The middle finger is not typically used by itself. M usually is played in the context of a pattern (such as P-A-M-I). It can be very useful to practice playing loud and clean with "M" in case you ever need it for strong melodic or accented note. -
Step 5
The last Spanish word is Anular = Ring Finger = "A". The ring finger, while being used in plenty of music, is used the least of the four digits. To develop its strength I recommend playing scale passages using "M-A" instead of "I-M". Remember, you will need a confident "A" when trying to make a beautiful tremolo.













Comments
gerryd said
on 6/6/2009 I read in some books that the pinky was labeled "S". Can you explain? Thanks
prism said
on 1/18/2009 So interesting! I learned something new. Thanks!