The end of my bass playing? Thanks to my pinky?

[AttitudeCastle]

Hey all

Its been a reoccuring problem for several years, after bending my pinky finger (fretting style) it makes a harsh click and i feel it move and after three or four times gets very very painful and my hand cramps,

I haven't had it checked out as, as an under 16 i can't set up NHS appointments my self and my parents think its nothing, i have a similar problem with my back

I play like sheehan but now i can't and now when i play its all i think about, my joints feel like i should expect them to when i'm 80



AC

[TFunkadelic]

Is your finger bending backwards, or forwards creating an arch?

[azureblue]

Not at all the end of your bass playing- read about Django Reinhardt and Leland Sklar.

But you need to get your finger looked at- sounds like it dislocates when you put vertical pressure on it. Maybe it is fixable....
Tell your folks, again, before you risk further damage.

[PBass101]

Tell your parents to take you to a doctor, regardless of how they feel about it. Sounds like you have joint problems.

[AttitudeCastle]

it is when my fingers arch, which they do because it feels weird making it straight

my friends mother is a Phisio and another a GP so i convinced my Mum to let them look at me,

I like Rheinhart (spelling?)

He survied being killed thanks to a german officer nicknamed Doktor Jazz

=D

we studied him is music

[bebop1]

I have to play without my fretting pinky because of a tendon tear. You can do pretty well anything with 3 that you can with 4 fretting fingers (well almost). I've even had to tape my ring finger and pinkie at times. I manage, am in 3 gigging bands and do various studio and extra fil-in gig calls. Anything is possible, believe me.

[redstrand]

My pinky doesn't work right...I just use the other three and slide up or down to compensate.

[So Low Bass]

How high do you have your bass on your chest? If you're doing the bass-down-to-my-knees-I-look-cool schtick you'll never be a serious player. You seem like you want to be serious if you're trying to get your 4th finger going. If that's true, you bass should be the same height standing or sitting. Some guys, like Wooten have them even higher.

[AttitudeCastle]

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

How high do you have your bass on your chest? If you're doing the bass-down-to-my-knees-I-look-cool schtick you'll never be a serious player. You seem like you want to be serious if you're trying to get your 4th finger going. If that's true, you bass should be the same height standing or sitting. Some guys, like Wooten have them even higher.

I have it set up just like that,

exact same sitting and standing

[AttitudeCastle]

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

How high do you have your bass on your chest? If you're doing the bass-down-to-my-knees-I-look-cool schtick you'll never be a serious player. You seem like you want to be serious if you're trying to get your 4th finger going. If that's true, you bass should be the same height standing or sitting. Some guys, like Wooten have them even higher.

I have it set up just like that,

exact same sitting and standing

[two fingers]

OK here's the problem. You SOLD it to your parents all wrong. Don't tell them your pinky is keeping you from playing the bass. Tell them your pinky is keeping you from DOING YOUR HOMEWORK! CAN"T TYPE! That will get their attention.

[bbocaner]

Sounds like it could be stenosing tenosynovitis. I had it a few years back, it took a surgery and months of hand therapy, but I'm good as new now.

[HEADLE]

Look up Trigger Finger. Apperantly there is a sheath that your tendons go through for your fingers and when it gets inflamed it gets tight around the tendon. When you move your finger the tendon stretches and pops as it moves through the sheath and that is felt as clicking. It only continues to get worse. I have it in my pinky and I'm able to play for a while but every couple years I get a cortizone shot in my hand and then I'm good for a while. Might be the same thing might not, but it should be looked at.

H

[Dark Horse]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if that's all it takes for you to quit playing, then perhaps you weren't meant to be playing. A finger issue can easily be worked around.

I was paralyzed when I was younger. Broke my neck. I fought back and have about 98% range of motion...you'd NEVER know I was paralyzed unless I told you. I could have "quit", but I really didn't feel like being pushed around in a wheelchair and spoon fed for the rest of my life.

If you truly love playing, suck it up, go to a UNBIASED Doctor and have your finger examined. Also go to a proper bass instructor and get some evaluation about your technique and how you can improve it.

Or just quit.

Your choice.

[AttitudeCastle]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if that's all it takes for you to quit playing, then perhaps you weren't meant to be playing. A finger issue can easily be worked around.

I was paralyzed when I was younger. Broke my neck. I fought back and have about 98% range of motion...you'd NEVER know I was paralyzed unless I told you. I could have "quit", but I really didn't feel like being pushed around in a wheelchair and spoon fed for the rest of my life.

If you truly love playing, suck it up, go to a UNBIASED Doctor and have your finger examined. Also go to a proper bass instructor and get some evaluation about your technique and how you can improve it.

Or just quit.

Your choice.

No not at all!

i see what you mean, i meant the way i play, i play like sheehan but with this problem i don't see how i could ever match him and surpass him as a player, that was my ultimate goal

I broke my arm once, and i tied my cast to my trombone slide and played a concert once, i guess just need inspiration to keep driving forward!

Also a note

I don't just feel it, you can hear it, pretty loud for a finger click too, if no one is talking noise could be heard clearly through out a bed room sized room (average) which is why i was thinking bones or fluid not tendons but i'm having something arranged tomorrow

Thanks alot for your help and a reminder not to just put my hands up and give up!

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by AttitudeCastle

No not at all!

i see what you mean, i meant the way i play, i play like sheehan but with this problem i don't see how i could ever match him and surpass him as a player, that was my ultimate goal

I broke my arm once, and i tied my cast to my trombone slide and played a concert once, i guess just need inspiration to keep driving forward!

Also a note

I don't just feel it, you can hear it, pretty loud for a finger click too, if no one is talking noise could be heard clearly through out a bed room sized room (average) which is why i was thinking bones or fluid not tendons but i'm having something arranged tomorrow

Thanks alot for your help and a reminder not to just put my hands up and give up!

Giving up is easy. Fighting through, that's what makes you a man...on bass, and in life.

A bit of inspiration :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iJ7bs4mTUY

Note his fretting hand.

Best of luck to you.

[grifff]

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

How high do you have your bass on your chest? If you're doing the bass-down-to-my-knees-I-look-cool schtick you'll never be a serious player. You seem like you want to be serious if you're trying to get your 4th finger going. If that's true, you bass should be the same height standing or sitting. Some guys, like Wooten have them even higher.

OT but you wouldn't consider Robert Trujillo a serious player then?

Stop playing and get it checked out. As was mentioned before, ask a bass teacher what you can do to improve your technique.

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

How high do you have your bass on your chest? If you're doing the bass-down-to-my-knees-I-look-cool schtick you'll never be a serious player. You seem like you want to be serious if you're trying to get your 4th finger going. If that's true, you bass should be the same height standing or sitting. Some guys, like Wooten have them even higher.

You should probably stop thinking your personal beliefs are "gospel truth".

[racket]

+1 on Trigger finger. I had it in my thumb. eventually my thumb stayed bent...got it fixed...no problem.
As for adapting your playing around limitations, I had the bones in my fretting hand shattered, and the fingers on my picking hand broken. I can't play chords or reach to fret notes anymore. I kind of mash the strings down ala Duck Dunn and play with my thumb and forefinger...my playing is better now, cause I wanted it more if you know what I mean.

See a doctor, get it fixed, keep playing...Have fun

[Jim Nazium]

I recommend:

1. See a doctor - a hand specialist if at all possible
2. Take it easy on your hands for a while - lighter strings, lower action, no marathon practice sessions. You're only 16 bro, you don't want to damage your hands now.
3. Ice and ibuprofen