Left hand position

[Decoy]

I'm obviously new. #When playing an A scale lower octive, should you hit the second note fourth fret with the second finger or the ring finger? #On the other scales up to the fifth fret, I have no trouble deciding, but this one is trickey and I don't want to get into a bad habit. #I am using all four fingers.

Another way to ask the same question I guess is, are certain frets reserved for certain fingers in the first position?

[Decoy]

San Rafael, I would assume that would mean that most of the other major scales would be done with just the first three fingers, open, second, forth, and fifth frets with the pinki staying free. I thought I should play with the pinki as much as possible?

[Jim Broyles]

As I understand it, for first position, use these fingers/frets:

Index finger - frets 1 & 2
Middle finger - frets 3 & 4
Ring finger - frets 5 & 6
pinky - fret 7

Your second note in the A major scale, first position, would be fretted with your middle finger.

[Jim Broyles]

BTW, you should use your pinky as much as possible. Play the A major scale with no open strings. IOW use your pinky and the 7th fret rather than an open string.

[Decoy]

Thanks, I think I'v got it. Now the practice!