How to improve/train pinky dexterity for guitar playing (after long absence)

Question

I played guitar from 12 to 23, but haven't really played for the last 5 years and would like to start again.

However, when I used to play I rarely used the pinky finger because I have big hands (not an excuse, but this is how it happened).

Now that I almost forgot how to play after a long absence I thought, "Why don't I start training the pinky from scratch?"

What are the best exercises/techniques to train the pinky?

Answer 1

Minor Pentatonic scale

$6 2 5 $5 2 4 $4 2 4 $3 2 4 $2 2 5 $1 2 5 $3 ...or: 2 4/6 $2 5 7 $1 5 7/9

Try a G chord with Ring- Middle- and a Pinky-barre.

%3/3.2/2.0/0.0/0.3/4.3/4

In fact, all of the CAGED shapes will work your pinky if you use the "barre" fingerings: don't use the index (1) at all and form the shape with middle (2), ring (3) and pinky (4).

Also the usual folksy chord embellishments will serve as exercise: D-Dsus4-D, A-Asus4-A, G-Gadd9-G, C-Cadd9-C.

And from any of these "suspended" notes, you can slide up with the pinky to the next chord tone, and re-form the chord in the new position (and/or inversion).