HELP!!!!!! Pinkey Finger Problem????

[Nyarlathotep]

I have just tried to play (Anesthesia)Pulling Teeth, using my pinkey finger, and realized why I've stoped trying to use it in the past After a minute or so it (my pinky) starts to "lock up" on the 2nd knuckle When I bend it, it goes 90 degrees at the first knuckle before the 2nd one starts to bend, and then I get this kindof popping sensation in the 2nd knuckle

Is this normal starting out? Do I just need to keep working on getting the pinkey strengthend? Any exersizes for that purpose?

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by DanielTulip

Is this normal starting out? Do I just need to keep working on getting the pinkey strengthend? Any exersizes for that purpose?

Just keep using it. And take it nice and slow - work it into your playing gradually, and you should be OK...

MM

[user101]

i don't know, the popping sensation on the 2nd knuckle doesn't sound too right. Maybe it's better to get professional help.

[darthplagis]

i would say try to strengthen the finger before going for crazy bends, and remember support the bend with another finger at least till you get that pinky a porky hehe.

[The BurgerMeister]

it is normal, mr tulip. especially with such high action.

(though i don't know if you're action is still as high as it was....)

my pinky used to do that all the time (still does, from time to time). i've since strengthened it by doing fingering exercises (nothing specific, just working my fingers constantly), and concentrating on keeping the pinky nicely rounded at the knuckles while doing them. i've also lowered the action on my basses (i used to play with the action pretty high). this took a little getting used to, but before long, i was all about it.

good luck!

also: make sure your left thumb is situated correctly on the neck. i fin my pinky'll act like you're describing when my left thumb is behind my index finger, rather than behind my middle finger. if that makes sense. the mose comfortable position is somewhere between the index and middle fingers, but more toward the middle.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Just keep using it. And take it nice and slow - work it into your playing gradually, and you should be OK...

MM

Originally Posted by jetpackbassist

it is normal, mr tulip. especially with such high action.

(though i don't know if you're action is still as high as it was....)

my pinky used to do that all the time (still does, from time to time). i've since strengthened it by doing fingering exercises (nothing specific, just working my fingers constantly), and concentrating on keeping the pinky nicely rounded at the knuckles while doing them. i've also lowered the action on my basses (i used to play with the action pretty high). this took a little getting used to, but before long, i was all about it.

good luck!

also: make sure your left thumb is situated correctly on the neck. i fin my pinky'll act like you're describing when my left thumb is behind my index finger, rather than behind my middle finger. if that makes sense. the mose comfortable position is somewhere between the index and middle fingers, but more toward the middle.

Thanks! I was planning on taking Pulling Teeth slow! Took a look at the music and went , and decided that I better start slow, cus I didn't know how my pinky would hold up. Good to know that it'll improve BTW jetpack, my basses are both low action now. I lowered the action on Death, and the intonation cleared up , and Fenris came with lower action than Death!

Hehe, in case your wondering, Death:

That was before I lowered the action

Fenris (cus it growls, like a wolf):


I've since put flats on that!

[IAmTheDood]

my pinky does exactly what your describing ... more so on the wider frets lower on the neck now.

work on your scales .. using the pinky .. keep doing them faster and faster ... or really do any 4 fret practice drills .. stretching from the 1st fret to the 4th fret up and down the strings really helps and strengthens the pinky.

i like to use the pinky, less position changes

[Nyarlathotep]

^ cool! I'll definatly try that. I've been meaning to learn the different modes/scales anyhow. It'll get me more familiar with the G being there (Death is strung BEAD). Lo tuning rules! \m/

Oh, and jetpack, I'm assuming that when you say you keep the pinky "rounded" while playing that you're fretting w/ the tips of your fingers rather than the pads.... Another thing I've been meaning to try/work on

[RevengeIseek]

I experience the same problem a few year ago when i was first learning this song. but the problem just went away after i started to play more. and now i have no problem at all with my pinky just from practicing alot

[chaosMK]

You should look at your overall hand position. That might be one of the issues.

[Matt Call]

Practice. Make sure to use your pinky.

It worked for me. I used to have the exact same thing happen. Yes. It might be frustrating for a while; but it will end.

One thing that helped me: Play the first four frets - one finger per fret, and go through each string. Then move up one fret and repeat. Keep doing it. It might get boring and/or redundant... but that's what practice is.

[Nyarlathotep]

It's gotten better (than it was) already!

@ OpaqueBass: I'll try that fretting exersize I've also been looking at the "spider" one too. Crazy stuff