Fingers to use

[mistercliff]

I've found plenty of resources explaining what fingers to use when I'm playing chords on my mandolin, but I'm not so sure when I'm picking out tunes from tabs or sheet music. I've been using all four fingers on my left hand, but my gut tells me I should probably only using the first three. Since I don't want to learn wrong and then have to unlearn, I'd really apreciate if someone could clarify this for me.

Thanks!

[MikeEdgerton]

Use all four. That's proper and correct. With that said, too many of us, me included use three.

[AlanN]

In first position

Index=frets 1,2
Middle=3,4
Ring=5,6
Pinky=7,8

and the rules break early and often

[Peter Hackman]

Alternatively (in diatonic scale) next note=next finger
(not sure which variant #I use, probably both).

But, by all means, use all four!

[mistercliff]

Great, thanks for the help everyone, now I don't have to worry about that slowing me down anymore.

Cheers!

[Repent34]

well when I pick my nose I use whichever finger I think will get to it the best and then I.....oh wait, you said notes. Never mind.

chris

[phizban]

Thile tunes and Bach's sonatas and partitas for solo violin.