Voice Leading Guide Tones in Blues

[Daryll Williams]

Question on fingering…
Workbook p.7
First line transition from I7 – IV7 (b7 of I7 to 3 of IV7)
I use the pinky to finger for the b7. Should I just slide the pinky down to the 3 of IV7 or use my ring finger?

Second line transition from IV7 to I7 (3 of IV7 to b7 of I)
I use my ring finger to finger the 3. Should I use my pinky to finger the b7 of I7 or slide up my ring finger up?

Third line transition from I7 to IV7 (b7 to 3). Similar question.
I use the pinky to finger the b7. Slide down to 3? Or use ring finger?

Fourth line from I7 to IV7 (3 to b7). Similar question.
I use middle finger on 3. Slide down or use index finger/

Thanks,
Darryl

[Richie]

In general you should always use the finger you would use over the degree in question when playing its arpeggio. So in line 1 the b7 (pinky) goes to 3 (ring). If you drag your pinky it would no longer be aligned with the defining characteristics for pattern 4. It would now be pattern 5 where the pinky plays the 3rd on the 2nd string. It would also move you back 1 position. Of course this will be okay down the road, if that is your intention, but for now we need to learn how to play over changes while staying within the same fingering model.
Same concept applies to the rest…

Let me know if this answers your questions…

[Author]

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