Little Finger Problem

Cannabassist · #1 04-12-2010, 06:12 AM

Hi!

I've been playing bass for a few years, and I've had a problem that I feel has been holding me back. The problem is my left hand pinky. I can use it to fret however if I play for a while it eventually cramps up. When i bend it I notice some pain in the top joint of the finger, almost a stretch, the only way I can describe it is a pull towards the top joint of the finger, and I feel tension directly on the joint. My finger can then bend properly, but it feels like something pops into place.

I have not previously hurt my finger, nor do I have arthritis.

What is wrong with my pinky!?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, Cannabassist.

BlacksHole · #2 04-13-2010, 11:48 AM

Could possibly be trigger finger - which may be fixed by a cortisone injection or possibly surgery. But this requires a doctor to really diagnose.

JimmyM · #3 04-13-2010, 03:30 PM

what is wrong is you're using improper technique. you're probably doing something to bunch up your hand in a way that makes stretching the little finger painful.

so learn proper left hand technique with the thumb behind the neck instead of hanging over, curving your fingers in a comfortable manner, and 1 finger per fret reaches. it's best to have a teacher well versed in jazz concepts and techniques to show you, but if you study players like victor wooten, dave larue, steve bailey, adam nitti, guys like that and their fretting hand techniques, you'll get the idea.

Ewo · #4 04-13-2010, 04:04 PM

Any possibility you're stopping the string with more pressure than you need? Like, squeezing the string down on the fret too hard?

That was one of the items in Gary Willis's 101 tips book. His suggestion was to stop a note, pluck the string, and gradually let up until you heard it buzz on the fret. Then you have a feel for the minimum amount of pressure to exert when you're playing.

You might try that with your pinky, in particular.

JimmyM · #5 04-13-2010, 04:08 PM

+1 for gary willis. he's got tons of info on good technique and he's really worked hard on studying it and perfecting it.

Ewo · #6 04-13-2010, 04:16 PM

And +1 to JimmyM, for the suggestion about arching the fingers and keeping your thumb on the back of the neck!

Seriously: try stopping some notes with your thumb wrapped over the neck and fingers flattened, then compare to thumb on the back of the neck with fingers arched.

Big difference in how it feels, eh?

Cannabassist · #7 04-16-2010, 12:02 AM

Thanks for the suggestions!

Although this in the technique section, I believe it may be more of medical issue than a technique one, as I practice good technique, including arched fingers, thumb on back of neck, correct strength of touch, etc.

I think I'll take BlacksHole's advice and get it checked out because it's not only affected by bass playing.

Cheers.