Middle finger for bar chords?

[M. Stephenson]

I am learning some Brazilian pieces and the transcriptions have a few areas where using the middle finger (finger 2) as a bar makes it easier to transition to other chords. However, it is hard to do.

Right now I can only do a partial bar with the middle finger and I am having trouble keeping the joint in the ring finger (finger 3) from going flat and muting the string below it, but I have seen progress in just one day.

I am going to pursue this as I think that there is value in it and I know that it will get easier with time and practice, but I was wondering if others out there were already using the middle finger for bar chords.

[brian richardson]

yup i do that also(when needed)
the hardest was an 'inside' barre with the pinkey(maybe the middle 2/3 strings) think that gave me tendonitis!! :roll:

[Libre]

Hey M-
Middle finger for bar chords, eh? I must say, that's a new one for me. But it seems like a good idea - I can see the value in it even though I've never tried it myself.
I do have a suggestion for strengthening it, though. This exercise will also straighten it, which should help.
What you do, is walk around with the middle finger extended. The rest of the fingers should be held into the palm, almost like a fist. The middle finger, however, should be extended straight into the air.
To get the blood circulating properly, it may be necessary to thrust the hand up and outward forcefully - this will cause the blood to flow into the finger by centrifugal force.
Finally, I recommed that you perform this action as often as possible, to get the greatest possible benefit. Particularly when driving, and especially in the presence of the highway patrol and other authorities.
I thought of this because I often see other drivers doing that exact thing when I pass them. I guess they play Brazilian music too. I didn't realize it was so popular with the general public.
I hope this helps.

[Faya]

In Jazz they use a 2nd finger bar alot...........and i have found it to be a usefull tool myself.
Keep at it..........i think you like havin' it in your Left abilitys.
:mrgreen:

[Jubilee Valence]

...instant cramp!!!!!...only the "i" bar for me,cuz anymore i use the other three in chording & "runs" while barring anywhere....still crampin'!!!! LOLOLOL---jeeeez!!!....time to start the "bossa...."---I'll start with the salt pills again!!.........oh,& btw...I've found that an "exercise" that I do,--palm up & rapidly curl & uncurl the "m" & "a" simultaneously,improves my flexability...but as an aside, all the girls at the Airport Tavern are smiling at me real strange, & have begun bringing their girlfriends in to meet ol' Jubi-dubi-DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[M. Stephenson]

Thanks guys.

The pieces are transcribed by a jazzer so that would explain the need for using the middle finger bar for good phrasing. There is a picture of him with his fine looking D'Angelico.

Libre, I tried your exercise at home and my little girl started to emulate me, she likes to exercise. My wife told us the she was going to wash our mouths out with soap if we did not stop. Not sure why. I guess that I have to do this excersise in a dark secluded place.

Jubie, not to sure about your exercise. Maybe I am told old to get it.

[coreman]

[quote="Jubilee ValenceI've found that an "exercise" that I do,--palm up & rapidly curl & uncurl the "m" & "a" simultaneously,improves my flexability...but as an aside, all the girls at the Airport Tavern are smiling at me real strange, & have begun bringing their girlfriends in to meet ol' Jubi-dubi-DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:[/quote]

lol

[selma600]

Thanks guys.

The pieces are transcribed by a jazzer so that would explain the need for using the middle finger bar for good phrasing. There is a picture of him with his fine looking D'Angelico.

Libre, I tried your exercise at home and my little girl started to emulate me, she likes to exercise. My wife told us the she was going to wash our mouths out with soap if we did not stop. Not sure why. I guess that I have to do this excersise in a dark secluded place.


OT:
I used to work with a rather "elitist" buyer of classical music at a Tower Records locale which shall remain unidentified. Nice guy but total snob...when he had had enough of a particular customer asking what he regarded as stupid questions, (like, "could you recommend a Pachabel 'canon' for me with ocean sounds or something?") he would push his glasses back onto his nose using his middle finger while staring the customer straight in the face! I learned to keep an eye on him and go bail him out (and the hapless customer) when he would start that! Still, I thought it was a hoot!
Yeah, it was deiiberate - he let me in on it!
He also had a picture of a "chubacabra" behind the counter with the caption: "What do you mean, it's OUT OF PRINT???!!!" Guy has a wonderfully-twisted sense of humour!