• Registered: 2009-08-28
  • Posts: 6

Topic: Playing with a screwed up little finger?

Hiya Joe fans! Hope everyone is well. I am just learning to play guitar but my little finger is seriously bent inwards and has been since birth. This has the effect of accidently playing the fret before the one i want to play, which is a pain for scales. Is there a way of getting round this, and is it worth still learning? Played drums before where it wasnt a problem!

Thanks.

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Playing with a screwed up little finger?

That is entirely up to you.  I had a chain saw go through my left hand.  my left thumb will bend straight backwards and my pinky works when it wants to.  It was worth it to me to retrain and strengthen it.  Have to hold my hand completely different to play guitar rather than bass.

Adapt Improvise Overcome

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  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Playing with a screwed up little finger?

A lot of great players don't use their little fingers. You just have to really know your scales and be able to compensate.

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  • BBJ
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  • From: Edinburgh
  • Registered: 2006-09-25
  • Posts: 299

Re: Playing with a screwed up little finger?

As Deezer said, it's just a matter of adapting so don't let it hamper your development. Bear in mind that Django Rheinhardt could only effectively use two fingers of his left hand after suffering burns. It didn't hold him back. That's good advice from Big Jeff. How you adapt will become your style.

'Try as you might to keep a lid on a good time, you can't do it. When people want to have a good time....' - Billy Gibbons
  • Ges
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  • From: NW England
  • Registered: 2006-09-25
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Re: Playing with a screwed up little finger?

Hi Rodentrocker

It's not just me then.
My little fingers are crooked and I have the same problem stretching to some frets. Some are just impossible.

As if being left handed wasn't bad enough.

I didn't have lessons and just learnt to hardly use it !!
Guess that's another reason why I'm not very good at it sad

Stick at it.
You'll just learn to cope.

Have some lessons. Wish I did when I was young enough to take it all in.

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Playing with a screwed up little finger?

Yeah if you want it, you'll find a way.  Django did.  Not the first or the last.

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website