how do I increase finger muscle?

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I tend to play a lot of things involving having to bar either in index or ringer finger on my 6 string for certain chords. For example, I would fret the 7th fret on the top C and G strings with my ring finger while index frets 6th on the A string, but my ring finger can't press down both 7th frets completely, so there's always a buzz. What can I do to increase my finger muscles?

[moogboy]

go out and get a huge Exmark lawnmower and mow as many peoples houses as possible.

[Benjamin Strange]

Practice.

Don't bother with those excersize machine thingies. They'll just give you carpal tunnel or worse, and the time you waste with them could have been better used practicing.

[Ajrocks]

there's a martial arts finger excerciser, it's a triangle with 5 springs and holes, it makes your hand and finguires stronger, tried one once. you can use one anywhere.

I agree with the guitar and bass exercise things don't really work.

[Jimbob Jones]

Get a sponge ball and rhythmically squeeze it whenever you're doing something that doesn't involve using your hands. This method got me through my "weak pinkie misery"

Good luck!

[kherber]

There's no better exercise than practicing your bass. It will develop the finger muscles exactly as they need to be developed, and in the meantime you're practicing your instrument and learning about music.

Doc

[DocBop]

Playing is the 99% of the answer. I go through a similar thing on my 6-string playing chords and having to hold two notes down with my little finger. Right now when possible I will use my ring finger to help the 4th finger.

Other than that there are extremes like working with different fretboard radius, taller frets, or simply lighter and/or lower tenstion strings. In long run playing is the best answer.

I would suggest reposting this question in the Pro forum to Todd Johnson. He is a master of 6-string bass.

[Human Bass]

Look for Brian Bromberg and try to lick him.

[Lalabadie]

Originally Posted by Human Bass

Look for Brian Bromberg and try to lick him.

[RWP]

If you get one of these be careful. I over did it with mine and pulled something in my hand. Took over a week to get back to normal.

[Pbassred]

"if you want to get good, play a lot" (trad).

warm up first. Don't overdo it. lots of short sessions. Frequent breaks.

All muscles develop over time as a response to excercise. More isn't always better. I found that one of those microwave heat pads was very useful.

On other aside here. Pure strength might not be the issue. Having a practiced technique is a lot less painful.

[JimS]

[theshadow2001]

I'm with those that say practicing is the only way around it. How long have you been barring chords like you have? Its like when you start to do barr chords on a guitar. It always sounds buzzy and crap even though the neck would nearly snap with the amount of force your using. But as you keep doing it your technique develops and they seem quite easy to do without the need for as much force on the neck. I don't know if thats the hand getting stronger or better technique evolves (probably both) Just keep at it and it will come. Those finger pumping things are a waste of time and leads to unbalanced muscles which can be bad.

[Yngwie 4String]

take a tight rubberband over your thumb and fingers, and stretch it.