A large part of it is muscle memory.
Eventually, you'll find that your fingers just do it. You'll sometimes even find that they do it best when you don't think about it.
'Tis the reason I emphasize learning scales (and some chords) at this point in your education.
When you're done learning the natural scale in the open position, I'll suggest you figure out how to play it at the 12th fret.
To play it at the 12th fret, just remember that the 12th fret is now the same note as it was when you were playing it in the open position.
So, it'd go like:
E: 12 13 15
A: 12 14 15
D: 12 14 15
(etc...)
You'll be able to figure it out.
Will do. I'll get on this one this afternoon.
It's going to be a bit complicated and will take some finger dexterity - as you'll be using the first three fingers and then also practicing to do it with your pinky.
I know, it sucks to get that pinky to actually shut the hell up and behave. It's going to be a problem. It's going to suck and your pinky doesn't actually want to listen.
Which is why I keep stressing the importance of making it learn to behave from a very early stage in your learning process.
If you watch the Rock Discipline video, there's some great warm-up exercises at the start of it. They'll stretch your fingers and, just like you're working out, stretching helps.
They do sell finger exercisers. They're spring loaded and some of them are pretty complicated/advanced. Some have adjustable springs and things like that which will increase tension. The only good ones for a guitarist will have individual finger slots and can be moved independently of each other.
I haven't suggested you invest in one, because you've already spent a bunch of money. I don't yet want you to realize how broke you're gonna be now that you've picked up the guitar! ;-)
Here's some examples:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Hand-Finger-Exercisers.gc
I don't recommend a brand. I'd avoid things that look like gimmicks, if you do decide to get one.
If you're curious, and this is not a recommendation, I use "Gripmaster" exclusively. I keep 'em around the house and just use 'em whenever. I don't even use them every day, like I should. I use them more if I'm playing less.
That's not a brand recommendation. It is a style recommendation.
This is not a product endorsement:
(I hope that link works.) That's a style endorsement.
Also, when it comes to smashing snow - machinery is your friend. Depending on your situation, you can get a snowblower that works well enough. Even an electric snowblower is suitable - for some people. It's damned useless here, though I have one and sometimes use it to blow the snow off my porch!
(Seriously, I love smashing snow. I don't even have to blow the snow off my porch!)
I might invest in one, the pinky does seem to be the finger that is hardest to use I was wondering if that was just me or a thing more people had trouble with.
On the snow smashing front all I’ll probably have this year is a shovel and some salt but that should be enough I don’t think we get snow like you do.
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