How many fingers do you play lead guitar with?

Question

when i watch eric clapton, stevie ray vaughn, or jimi hendrix play, it looks like they just use their 3 fingers to play the four frets that a scale usually encompasses. then i saw this guitar documentary on TV, and many of the people were playing with 3 fingers over 3 frets, and using their pinky to play the fourth fret when necessary.

i was wondering if there is any certain way this is supposd to be done. ive been playing for over a year now, and this pretty much confuses me

Answer 1

I usually do it with 4 fingers...

Answer 2

tecnically you use four but in one particular song i play with five and thats in jimmy hendrix's purple haze some people like to use barre chords in the verse but hendrix himself plays with his thumb and all four fingers to play the verse. i copied him :) ps you also use your index or your pointer to tap

Answer 3

i use all four fingers, i use the pinky when i need it. Some times i use my index middle and ring finger on my other hand for taping, altho i'm not good at that yet.

Answer 4

clapton, srv, hendrix could all burn one up using mostly 3 fingers and a pinky when needed, if you watch them real close you'll notice they cover 4 frets in one position with 3 fingers, some say that's old school, I say whatever works for you.

Answer 5

You want to be able to play with 4 fingers. Play the way that is comfortable for you. Practice practice practice. Your pinky should be as strong as the rest of your fingers.

Answer 6

well you usually do it with 4 fingers