Learning Ukulele with Curt
What Finger is What?
Just what are the fingers of the plucking and fretting hand called. There can be a bit of confusion as to what the names and numbers of your fretting hand and the plucking or strumming hand are. Here are some of the common fingering notations I’ve encounter over the course of my studying ukulele and guitar.
Publisher:
Curt Sheller Publications
Authors(s):
Curt Sheller
Category:
Basics
Instrument:
Ukulele
Subjects(s):
Beginner
Page Updated:
12 October 2025
12 October 2025
LESSONSeries
: Before You Pick Up Your Uke, Getting Started Basics
Series
What Finger is What?
Just what are the fingers of the plucking and fretting hand called. There can be a bit of confusion as to what the names and numbers of your fretting hand and the plucking or strumming hand are. Here are some of the common fingering notations I’ve encounter over the course of my studying ukulele and guitar.
Common Names for Those Musical Digits
Here are the common fingering notations I've encounter over the course of my studying ukulele and guitar.
Fingering for chords and single notes for the fretting hand are typically expressed using Arabic numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and T for Thumb.
The confusion comes with the plucking hand. You'll hear the Spanish and Portuguese names that come from the classical guitar world and the English names that are commonly used.
For the plucking hand, in fingerstyle, the Spanish, traditional classical names and what are commonly used, with English names shown below:
- Thumb ( t ), not really a finger but a digit. In classical guitar notation this is Pulgar, Pollex (p)
- Index ( i ) finger. In classical guitar notation Indice, Index (i)
- Middle ( m ) finger. In classical guitar notation Medio, Medius (m)
- Ring ( r ) finger. In classical guitar notation Anular, Aanularius (a)
- Pinky ( p ) finger. In classical guitar notation Mignolo (c, x or e)
Spanish: p i m a, English: t i m r
If you're studying traditional classical guitar repertoire and technique, the classical terms for the right hand are more common. For all else I recommend simply using the English terms or the terms in your native language and eliminate any translation.
Modern Classical Guitar , the repertoire and technique dates back to the mid nineteenth century ( 1800s ). And offers a wealth of information that can be adapted to the ukulele. Which is essentially a small classical guitar in it's construction and technique when played without picks.
When playing all four strings, each finger can handle their own string. On ukulele it's a simple finger-to-string assignment—from nose to toes, your thumb handles string ④, your index finger handles string ③, your middle finger handles string ②, and your ring finger handles string②. A simple one finger to one string assignment. For guitar, there are fifteen possible four-string/four-finger combinations; not all are practical, but all should be explored.
When only playing a three string set you can use the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
For playing string pairs any combination of t i m r is possible depending on the string involved and the musical context.
The final decision as to what fingering combination to use will be a musical one. But it is definitely worth exploring all possible combinations.
The Fingerpicking Series explores these fingering possibilities.
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
High Thumb Technique
Unless there is an overwhelming musical reason for your thumb to get in on the action and play notes or mute strings. In most cases and for most players the thumb should function in its supporting role of providing equal and opposite pressing motion to the fingers. There are few if any exceptions.
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This sit has ben profesionaly red. awl tpyos aree free and no aditonal chrge • I'm blaming it on “jazz” fingers. “Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”
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