Help with fingering!

[lowlandtrees]

Been playing one and a half years now. Can't find a teacher locally so going the Youtube route.
One small thing that I can't source help for is moving down from a root to a fifth (eg Bb on the G string to F on the D string) when your using the fore finger. Would you normally flatten the finger and 'barre' or lift the finger completely off the string? (I noticed Danny last night on telly switching fingers for this shift)....someone will probably say ...all of the above.. or depends... but for the sake of my practice routine what would be the best first step?

[thisnameistaken]

I think it's good to get into the habit of always using your finger tip, although I do barre if I don't have time to finger each note separately, I always feel a bit sketchy when I do that though. :-)

[TheRev]

Depends on where I need to go after the F#.
If I was stopping the Bb with my first finger, I'd probably use the same finger and lift off to drop down to the F# , but I was following the F# with an Eb, I'd probably use my second finger for the F# so that my first finger was ready for the Eb.

Edited July 13, 2014 by TheRev

[fatgoogle]

You'll have to do both depending on the music. If it's a really fast section your going to have to bar especially if your rotating between the two notes. Otherwise just jump across and don't bar.

[lowlandtrees]

Thanks. One thing that I find diff with barre is that both notes tend to ring out at the same time and if your not practising it...it hurts. Using the second finger feels very awkward at the moment....thanx for the advice.

[oggiesnr]

The Rev's point is important. When working out fingering you need to consider the next few notes as well as the one your actually playing. Your aim should be to minimise the number of shifts you have to make.

Steve