Extended Scale Fingering

[Mike Klunkyfinger]

Hi all. When playing a scale that requires extended fingering - the index finger moving down one or two frets from the given position (or the pinky moving up), what's the right technique? Do you lift your finger completely off the fret? Or should you maintian some contact? I've never seen the details of extended scales discussed (especially the details), and I want to fix any old habits.
TIA

[StoneDragon]

I'm not 100% sure about what you are asking, but you should strive to not move your hand. If you must move your hand, then try to minimize the amount of movement by stretching the finge as far as it will comfortably go before moving the hand.

This only applies to a scale in one position with stretches. There is no law against moving your hand to switch positions.

[Mike Klunkyfinger]

Oops. I forgot the most important part! What I mean is, if you've got a scale where there's an extended fingering, and there are two notes next to each other, as in one at the index finger position, and one right below it. There's a tendency (at least for me) to slide, or rotate my wrist, or simply be tense. Maybe I'm just having trouble getting used to it.

[StoneDragon]

If I have two notes in a row like that and there is no better way to finger it.... I will move the hand rather than trying to lift the finger and stretch it out. I think that moving the hand is faster and smoother.

What I mean by "better way to finger it" is that although you will have to shift or stretch to get all the notes, the shift/stretch doesn't have to be with the index (if we are strictly using the example you gave). In that particular case it may make more sense (comfort wise, musically etc...) to make the shift on another note/finger on the same string before you get to the notes in question.