Average Finger Length (index finger)?

ogrossman · #1 01-07-2007, 02:58 PM

Measure your index finger by bending at the 3rd knuckle (right angles to your palm) and measure it end to end.

I've seen a number of threads (e.g. about OFPF technique) where finger length is discussed but I've never seen anyone states what "average" might be. I did a TB search and a web search and came up blank. It would be informative to find some reference material on the subjet but I think it would be even better to know the finger length for the typical bass player.

I'm making the wild assumption that my index finger is average (4 1/4 inches). I set the range at one inch in either direction.

So please fill in the poll and/or post the length of your index finger if it is "other". I'll tally up the results if/when we get a statistically valid sample.

Poop-Loops · #2 01-07-2007, 04:46 PM

From knuckle to tip as per your instructions I get 4".

Superpang · #3 01-07-2007, 06:42 PM

83mm here

Demon · #4 01-07-2007, 07:14 PM

Ididnt understand the measure method, can someone re explain:P?

Bassist4Life · #5 01-07-2007, 07:54 PM

I'm curious how this fall under "technique".

I'm getting around 3 1/2".

Joe

Figjam · #6 01-07-2007, 10:12 PM

3 3/4? ish? I have average sized hands, not especially large.

No sausage references allowed in this thread. >< Don't tempt me

HELLonWheels187 · #7 01-07-2007, 10:30 PM

i got 85mm and i play 6 strings yeah!

Jared Lash · #8 01-07-2007, 10:51 PM

I voted 4" although my finger is actually a little more than 3 7/8 (99mm). I have average sized hands, though I always thought they were a bit small for a bass player.

This thread is interesting, but without knowing what the average is. Hopefully we can find a credible source, or get enough people to vote in the poll to give us an idea.

Another interesting question is this: Can you stretch your fingers more than your non-bass playing friends with similar sized hands?

I always figured it was a result of the countless hours practicing/playing bass, but I am able to splay my fingers apart much further than most people I know. To the point where I can palm a basketball despite fairly averaged sized hands.

Anyone else find the same thing?

The BurgerMeister · #9 01-07-2007, 11:05 PM

i measured per your instructions... though i don't know if you want me to measure the top of the finger or the side. i measured the side. i'm assuming that's right.

102mm.

ogrossman · #10 01-08-2007, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetpackbassist

i measured per your instructions... though i don't know if you want me to measure the top of the finger or the side. i measured the side. i'm assuming that's right.

102mm.

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. When I did it I measured from the side. I had my finger out straight and bent as far as I could toward my palm so that I could measure from the tip to the back of the knuckle. I hope that makes it a little more clear. If you guys still have questions I'll try to post a picture later this evening.

Thanks for all the replys. It' looks like we're getting a well behaved distribution.

ogrossman · #11 01-08-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

I'm curious how this fall under "technique".

I'm getting around 3 1/2".

Joe

A number of threads that have talked about OFPF (one finger per fret) have come around to talking about finger length. People talk about having shorter or longer fingers but no one ever says how long or short...

dougjwray · #12 01-08-2007, 06:57 AM

I get just a bit over 4 1/4".

user101 · #13 01-08-2007, 07:15 AM

markjazzbassist · #14 01-08-2007, 09:41 AM

4 in.

Demon · #15 01-08-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. When I did it I measured from the side. I had my finger out straight and bent as far as I could toward my palm so that I could measure from the tip to the back of the knuckle. I hope that makes it a little more clear. If you guys still have questions I'll try to post a picture later this evening.

Thanks for all the replys. It' looks like we're getting a well behaved distribution.

Sorry, since english isnt my native language i still dont really understand how to measure:/

Bruce Lindfield · #16 01-08-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

It would be informative to find some reference material on the subjet but I think it would be even better to know the finger length for the typical bass player.

I'll tally up the results if/when we get a statistically valid sample.

Well - it may be interesting - but there is no way your sample will be statistically valid as it is "self-selecting" and there is no way to judge the accuracy of the measuring!

The main problem I would see, is that people who feel they don't "measure up".....will be inclined either not to answer or make up a bigger figure...

Your result will be inherently biased and in no way statistically valid!

ogrossman · #17 01-08-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Your result will be inherently biased and in no way statistically valid!

I'm suggesting the result will be in some way valid if the size of the data sample is adaquate. Typically that would be 20 some samples or more (which we already have).

Yes, I agree there could be bias in the data in that we are working on the honor system for the accuracy of the data. Still, I contend that some information is better than no information.

tjh · #18 01-08-2007, 11:19 AM

like someone walking by a group of people gazing upwardly, at nothing apparently there ... I felt compelled to check ... 4 1/4" ... but if I may, I elude to the fact that the ability to span the hand, specifily the 4 fretting fingers to be of more importance (or at least AS important) than finger length ... my span without uncomfortable stretching is about 7' from tip of pointer to tip of little finger ... FWIW, I use OFPF ....

fryBASS · #19 01-08-2007, 01:18 PM

I'm pretty sure its 4¼ in.

**iriegnome** · #20 01-08-2007, 01:24 PM

Knuckle to tip = 4"