Is it okay for me to do this when I play guitar?

Question

I know you're meant to press the strings with the tips of each finger, but when I can't seem to do it with my first finger, instead, I end up using the side part near the tip of the finger. I've been doing this for over a year and I don't seem to have any problems but is it okay for me to do that or does it have to be the tip?

Answer 1

Classical guitar is played with the finger tips and with the thumb against the back of the neck.  That lets you put a lot of pressure on the strings to give a "tight" sound.  Rock and folk guitar is played using the balls of your fingers and with the back of the neck between finger and thumb so you can reach the bass E string with your thumb.  

Jimmy Page used to play with the sides of his fingers, so you're in good company.  I don't know if he still does - he's always in soft focus.

Answer 2

if it works it works! everyone plays differently! keep doing what your doing!

Answer 3

Haha as long as its comfortable. A true rockstar can play a left handed guitar upside down. It doesnt matter how you play, its actually cool to play a different way, rock on bro!

Answer 4

Anything that works for you is OK, ultimately.

(I went to a Tom Waits { and band } performance in Edinburgh the night before last. If you can make great music with thrash metal harmonium and the guy on horns blowing two saxophones at the same time, then as long as it sounds good it is good.)

Not having a long first finger doesn't make you a bad guitarist - but have you tried other instruments? You could be the world's greatest undiscovered sitar player, or fantastic on the banjo or ukulele.

On a slightly cynical note harpists are always in short supply - but only if they look ethereal and have their own transport for the harp.

Wishing you all the best.