I got an email today that I get often…

I am currently speeding up my box 1 to box 2 scales but I struggle with one thing, which finger to use as the slide finger when moving from box 1 to 2 on the 3rd string. Coming down is easy, it seems, as the first finger seems to naturally be the one to slide down with. But going up there are many options.

1. Use 1 then slide 2 frets and go 1 2 3
2. Use 1 3, then 1 fret and go 3 4
3. Use 1 3 4 then slide 1 fret and go 4
4. Use 1 stretch 2, no slide and go 3 4

The answer is not always the same for everyone. Since I’m comfortable sliding with my pinky, I tend to use option 3 quite a bit, though it’s not technically the most correct way. From a classical, traditional technique standpoint, you would use option 1. Some of you, however, might feel comfortable with option 2. I would definitely advise against option 4, since stretching like that is always prone to error.

This is all in reference to changing from box 1 to box 2 on the 3rd string. You would use your 1st finger to play the 5th fret (in the key of A here,) then slide up your first finger to the 7th fret, use the 2nd finger to play the 8th fret, and your 3rd finger to play the 9th fret.