Is it important that the finger joints dont bend when you finger?

[Demon]

I just read somewhere that when you fingers its important that the joints dont bend when you finger the string and that its important that the fingers maintain a "curve". Is this true?
EDIT: im talking plucking hand!

[Bassist4Life]

I think curved fingers is the "ideal" technique; however, we're not all put together the same way. Some people have really bendy joints. I've had double bass students with crazy bendy finger joints. There isn't much you can do about it. If you can play with good technique, then do so. If your fingers won't allow you, then don't. BUT, don't use bendy joints as an excuse for poor technique if you don't really have bendy joints.

bendy joints = double jointed



Joe

[JimmyM]

Demon, it's important if you're looking to play for speed and accuracy. Not so important if you're looking to play for other reasons.

[Demon]

idont think i have "superbendy" joints. Guess ill have to better my technique The only joints that bend tho, are the one between the part with the nail and the middle section, the other one doesnt. So im not sure really. How do i prevent bending? IMean doesnt that mean tensing up the fingers instead of relaxing?

[Demon]

Well, speed and accuracy are important since i play metal, but again, its only the joint with the finger that bends when i play. I can keep it straight, but my fingers wont be relaxed at all, and i kinda have to focus to keep the joint straight. It doesnt exactly bend alot, but it does bend, and its noticeable.
But, is it something that needs to be improved? How is a good way to keep the fingers straight? My fingers are more straight than curved when i play, could that be it? Should i try keep my fingers more curved?

EDIT: I noticed it only seems to happen when im using the fleshy parts. When i use fingertips they seem to keep straight. Not 100%tho. I never thought using fleshy parts was a problem

[Poop-Loops]

There is no way I am reaching my B string with perfect, curved joints. They are pretty much flat and that helps with muting the higher strings.

For guitar? Yeah, I try to have them curved so the fingertips are perpenicular to the fretboard. It's actually possible on guitar and it helps you with chords and junk so that you don't mute other strings. But bass is a different animal. It's physically different from guitar so you have to use different technique sometimes.

[Demon]

I should note, im talking about my plucking hand, not fretting hand.
It was dumb of me not to say, since there seems to been a missunderstanding:/

[Poop-Loops]

Wha?

That really doesn't matter, then. I play floating thumb and my joints do all sorts of stuff. I play mostly from my big knuckles, but my first joints also move.

[Demon]

Okay good, iwas a bit worried there really.

[visa]

just be fluid and comfortable. =)

[Demon]

Yeah. It seems my joints are much more "bendable" and not as stale on my plucking hand than on the fretting hand. I guess it might be because pressing down the strings made them stronger and straighter, while plucking them, caused the fingers to become more fluid and softer, and more agile instead. But yeah, when i play close to the neck, and use my finger tips thers no bending, but i usually pluck coser to the bridge, using my fleshier parts, so i was kinda like, "how the heck could i keep them straight"? since the strings are very hard and tight there.