Difficulty training fretting hand

[joelb79]

I've been playing for 15 years, and I've never noticed this problem until now. My pinky flies off my fretboard every time i press down with my pointer finger. I've tried various ways to end this but i keep getting lots of hand tension and my pinky unless it is anchored on a string it is pointing outward at an upward angle away from the fretboard.

It's really hurting my ability to play.

[jallenbass]

First off, make yourself only push the string down until it touches the fret. No more. You might get a little buzzing but for now that's OK. This is a training exercise. The only way that I have been able to train my fingers to do what I want them to do is to gently guide them back over the string when they fly away. This will take hours and hours of very slow practicing and should be the only thing that you focus on for awhile. Have patience and you will be rewarded.

[StyleOverShow]

Practice open string, first fret index finger, 2nd fret middle, etc. to complete a chromatic octave plus a 5th. Do it slowly at first making clear sounds with each finger strike.

Keep that thumb behind the fretboard. If you have a Fender, that line down the neck is the thumb line.

good luck!

[MistaMarko]

As blunt as this sounds (and this is something I did and it actually FIXED my technique problems), practice with the back of your fretting hand right up against a wall so that the space between your fretboard and the wall is like 2 inches and nothing can go "flying off". This worked wonders for me. I'd normally practice to the side of my desk or something so I could sit down and practice, but it helped me learn how it felt to play "right", and muscle memory took over after awhile.

Disclaimer: May not work for everyone.

[Rockmusician]

The thing I notice with many players is that they try to press much harder than is needed. Relax and try to play a little softer. You will be amazed at how much better you will sound.