LH fingering for consecutive notes on same fret

[Robbie Chan]

How should I play consecutive (melodic) notes that are located on the same fret? For example, on the 10th fret F on the 3rd string and A on the 2nd string.

I am aware of 4 ways but non of them are perfect and would appreciate some advice. In the following I will use the same notes F and A to illustrate.

1. Finger hop – using the ring finger for F then hopping to A.
Pros –
keeps the hand in position
Cons –
harder to control articulation – usually results in detache or staccato
not ideal for faster passages

2. Use other fingers – using the ring finger for F and pinky for A
Pros –
suitable for fast or slow passages
Cons –
changes the hand position

3. Barre – using the ring finger to form a partial barre over F and A
Pros –
keeps hand in position
Cons –
Overlapping sound/campanella articulation

4 Rolled Barre – using ring finger to fret F then collapse the finger to fret A
Pros –
keeps hand in position
more versatile than regular barre in terms of articulation
Cons –
does not work (very well) for higher pitch going to lower pitch. E.g. A to F

I apologize if the question comes across as pedantic. My background is classical and I am new to electric and jazz guitar and would like to know how you guys do it. Maybe the answer is to be well versed in all the 4 ways but I would like to hear how you guys deal with this issue as this informs the left hand fingerings.

Many thanks.

[Richie]

3 or 4 are the correct way for our purposes when playing jazz!

[Robbie Chan]

Nice. Thanks Richie

[Author]

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