Key to the Highway Lesson 129 – Technique – Rolling versus Shoving

[Rudai123]

Great lesson as always. But I do have a question/comment. For many of the Freddie King style licks, and the last lick in the lesson (in Amin first position), Brian places his middle finger on the 3rd string 7th Fret while he still has his 3rd finger on the 2nd string, 7th fret. I know it is hard to visualize. But I have always “rolled” my ring finger from the 2nd string to the 3rd string, instead of “shoving” my 2nd finger over top the third finger.

Are there advantages/preferences to both techniques?

[charjo]

Hi Rudai,
Is it the last bar of the tab, 7th fret of the 4th string to 7th fret of the 5th string? I rolled my third finger there. I think it’s just preference. Brian often says his fingers aren’t very flexible and I guess he doesn’t get much extension at that last joint on his third finger. I can relate to that but I still find it easier to roll.
John

[charjo]

@Rudai123, I was just looking at the tab. I used finger rolls over each of the last two bars.

[Brian]

I’ve seen this done either way. I think I learned how to do it by watching close up videos of Clapton and he tends to shove his fingers into the fret. I assumed that was the way to do it, but it may not be correct. I’d say go with whatever works for you on that one. The more I learn about guitar from watching others, the more I realize that there is no “correct” way to do things. 🙂

[Rudai123]

Thanks Brian and Charjo, that’s what I figured. I can see there are probably advantages to both. I learned to roll, so I think I’ll keep with that. Sorry to use the term “shove”, there must be a better way to say it.

[Author]

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