[Mike]

Jim,

Thanks for your question.

I think it’s great you’re making time for any daily practice even if it’s a small amount. You can always increase your practice time later on. The most important thing is you keep your practice sessions fun as that’s the biggest predictor of what will keep you playing/improving.

As far as making use of practice time, I’d say the single best thing you could do is play along with the practice tracks I provide.

You could practice doing basic rolls or pinches, licks or backup as you improve. This will help you learn to feel the music and the timing which is important when breaking off of tablature. You could also practice “filling the space” of the spots in the tab you can’t remember. In real life jam sessions, I rarely try to play a tab from memory as that can be difficult. Playing along with the practice tracks is the best way to get comfortable just “jamming.

For me, I try and sing the words in my head which helps me remember the song when I’m playing without tab, but this takes too practice just like other skills.

If you have any other questions let me know!

Best,
Mike

[Mike]

I just use only my pinky finger as well. It never felt natural to have my ring finger down so I didn’t force it.

The main reason why people say you should put two fingers down is because that’s what Earl Scruggs did. The issue is everyone hands are different and what works for him won’t necessarily work for everyone else.

I’ve seen people play really well with jut their pinky down, just their ring finger down or using both.

I recommend picking one of the three options that feels most comfortable to you.
– Mike

[Mike]

I’m working on another song in this style: Wild Bill Jones. Stay tuned!

[Mike]

Are you trying to anchor both your ring finger and pinky or just your pinky?

Some people just anchor their ring finger so if that feels more comfortable that’s also a possibility.

If you’re just planting your pinky you could try adding your ring finger and see if that helps stabilize your hand.

Otherwise it may just be more practice is required. Start slow and if you feel your pinky pop off the head stop and plant it again and start over.

If you have any other questions let me know.

– Mike

[Mike]

Keep at it! One week is not long at all and the fact that you can already play a few songs is great!

Ballad of Jed is a slightly more complex song, it’d probably be better to get a few simpler tunes under your belt first and then come back to that one. If you’ve got anymore questions please let me know!

Best,
Mike

[Mike]

There’s some good advice already mentioned here.

What I would watch out for with your thumb is making too much of a circular motion when bringing your thumb back up to play the next note. This is usually when your thumb pick hits the head, it’s when your coming back up after playing a note.

Try to work on bringing your thumb straight up after playing a note.

But if you can record a video that’d be great and I can take a look and comment further. Thanks!

-Mike

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