My pinky problem

[azfryguy]

I have been playing bass for 6 years and have developed a little annoince I just found out about. When I play fingerstyle and play anything even slightly fast my pinkie floats up and away from my index,middle and ring. It looks pretty weird I can't figure out how to fix it. I stretch and do warm-ups but nothing seems to help. When I first started it was way bad haha but its gotten alot better over time. I am thinking abut taping my ring and pinkie together see if helps anyway thanks guys!

[puddin tame]

it's just a matter of tension which is a result of imperfect technique. practice (I think not thinking about it works but maybe keep it sort of in your thoughts) and it will go away

[Swicked]

lol. I play with a pick and the same thing happens, my pinky starts spazzing out, my friend has this quirk too. Is it really that much of an issue?

[elgecko]

So it looks like're you're drinking tea when you play, big whoop!

But seriously, is it causing you pain or otherwise messing something up?

[Depth_Charge]

I was inspired to learn bass after hearing For Whom The Bell Tolls and seeing Cliff 'Em All. So for the first couple years of learning, I thought the pinky up thing was part of correct technique, and over 12 years later still have the habit. Not sure if it hinders me in anyway, but people aren't surprised when they learn Cliff is one of my idols.

[Stan Laurel]

I use the pinky on my left hand but not as much as the other fingers, especially when playing one-handed since I can't get as much force with the pinky. I've noticed that it tends to stick out when playing with the other fingers. It looks a bit strange but it doesn't seem to affect my playing. I've thought about trying to control it, but when I'm playing keys and bass my attention is on the music not my pinky.

[Chris K]

New for me, and I did a lot of research already.

http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html

so I'm very interested.

It's a sure signal of strain, as puddin tame pointed out. Taping is a bad idea, since it will only add to that strain.

There is a close relationship between tumb and little finger, so let me guess:
1. you play with anchored thumb technique
2. your rest your thumb on a pickup
3. the angle between your thumb and the index finger is at least 70-80 degrees wide
4. you wear your bass rather high
5. you have your elbow out
6. you lean the hand/arm sideways/from the outside on the tip of the thumb.

If we have six yesses here, you are creating strain on the lower hand palm, to keep it open agains the pressure from the weight of the arm. This is why your little fingers needs to spread away (just try, you will notice it right away). And there will be much pressure on the thumb base joint (at the risk of thumb osteoarthritis)

I would:
1. lower the bass a little, in order to
2. get the angle between thumb and index down to 45-30 degrees
3. support the arm using the shoulder muscles
4. lean the arm gently against (not on) the body of the bass

You might also consider:
1. to rest the thumb on your lowest string
2. to try the floating thumb technique

[azfryguy]

Originally Posted by Chris K

New for me, and I did a lot of research already.

http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html

so I'm very interested.

It's a sure signal of strain, as puddin tame pointed out. Taping is a bad idea, since it will only add to that strain.

There is a close relationship between tumb and little finger, so let me guess:
1. you play with anchored thumb technique
2. your rest your thumb on a pickup
3. the angle between your thumb and the index finger is at least 70-80 degrees wide
4. you wear your bass rather high
5. you have your elbow out
6. you lean the hand/arm sideways/from the outside on the tip of the thumb.

If we have six yesses here, you are creating strain on the lower hand palm, to keep it open agains the pressure from the weight of the arm. This is why your little fingers needs to spread away (just try, you will notice it right away). And there will be much pressure on the thumb base joint (at the risk of thumb osteoarthritis)

I would:
1. lower the bass a little, in order to
2. get the angle between thumb and index down to 45-30 degrees
3. support the arm using the shoulder muscles
4. lean the arm gently against (not on) the body of the bass

You might also consider:
1. to rest the thumb on your lowest string
2. to try the floating thumb technique

Thank you very much I thought you were in my house for a seconed haha that was dead on description!!!

[Psycho]

I don't see the problem you're only being fancy...

That being said, my pinky is use as an anchor and mute, so that may be why I have no issues.

[Fergie Fulton]

Never tape or restrict a finger for this purpose. What you have is a standard little finger movement that has not been developed.

You have developed lifting your little finger up and away from the fretboard using the large knuckle, rather than retracting it.
Next time you pick up your bass retract your little finger away so that it curls the fingertip back to the palm at the base of the finger (or as close as you can). This means you are using the joints correct so tension flows through the finger joints rather than over them. Most of this type of problem can be attributed to action of the large knuckle with no finger joint bend.

Try it on a table if unsure of the movement.

1/ Place the hands and finger as if playing a piano, so that's palm down, fingers with a nice curl and all fingertips on the table.
2/Without lifting from the knuckle first, curl the little finger back so the fingertip is tight to the base of the finger. Notice how the first finger joint is now higher than the back of the palm this requires tension on both side of the hand.

In this action the big knuckle lifts up due to the influence of the finger curl to allow the fingertips to move away....it does not action the movement.

Even if the fingers are flat on the table the principal is the same, the little finger curls back rather than lifts.
In this example you will feel the ring fingers influence on the little finger. In each example compare the lifting off action against the retraction example.
Notice how when you lift off, the finger is straight, because the finger joints are not involved, it is only the knuckle that is working the action over the top of the joints. This action happens because to lift a finger the action of muscles deep in the forearms and tendons have to pull the ligaments on the back of the hands to lift. Where as to curl, it is the same principal but you use the opposite side of the hand so the fingers do not lift but curl. What you and other see in this little finger movement is the result of using the lifting action rather than the curling action.
Ring finger and little finger share certain tendons so they are linked, that's why taping them together never works....they already are "taped" together in a sense by the ligaments.
The lifting action and the curling action both move the fingertips away so it is a blend of the both......how well you do it depends on how well your hands are.

[azfryguy]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Never tape or restrict a finger for this purpose. What you have is a standard little finger movement that has not been developed.

You have developed lifting your little finger up and away from the fretboard using the large knuckle, rather than retracting it.
Next time you pick up your bass retract your little finger away so that it curls the fingertip back to the palm at the base of the finger (or as close as you can). This means you are using the joints correct so tension flows through the finger joints rather than over them. Most of this type of problem can be attributed to action of the large knuckle with no finger joint bend.

Try it on a table if unsure of the movement.

1/ Place the hands and finger as if playing a piano, so that's palm down, fingers with a nice curl and all fingertips on the table.
2/Without lifting from the knuckle first, curl the little finger back so the fingertip is tight to the base of the finger. Notice how the first finger joint is now higher than the back of the palm this requires tension on both side of the hand.

In this action the big knuckle lifts up due to the influence of the finger curl to allow the fingertips to move away....it does not action the movement.

Even if the fingers are flat on the table the principal is the same, the little finger curls back rather than lifts.
In this example you will feel the ring fingers influence on the little finger. In each example compare the lifting off action against the retraction example.
Notice how when you lift off, the finger is straight, because the finger joints are not involved, it is only the knuckle that is working the action over the top of the joints. This action happens because to lift a finger the action of muscles deep in the forearms and tendons have to pull the ligaments on the back of the hands to lift. Where as to curl, it is the same principal but you use the opposite side of the hand so the fingers do not lift but curl. What you and other see in this little finger movement is the result of using the lifting action rather than the curling action.
Ring finger and little finger share certain tendons so they are linked, that's why taping them together never works....they already are "taped" together in a sense by the ligaments.
The lifting action and the curling action both move the fingertips away so it is a blend of the both......how well you do it depends on how well your hands are.

I see what your saying however I am right handed and my right hand is the one with the crazy pinkie

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by azfryguy

I see what your saying however I am right handed and my right hand is the one with the crazy pinkie

Still the same solution, curl your little finger in and hold it.
Try this, put a coin on the table. Now reach and pick it up.
Notice your little finger it curls in out of the way.

This action helps the dexterous side of the hand (the hand has two sides, a power side and a dexterous side).
If you want to develop the hand, hold a coin in the little finger as you play. The good this about this is when the hand tires the coin falls out, so rest or finish.





The act of using it to hold the coin gives it a job to do, so it stays out the way in a manner of speaking because it has a job to do. If you are a three finger player, the ring finger will develop a better sense of independence because the tendons that link them will stretch and loosen over time.
Even the plucking hand fingers should have a curl to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeodP4P0ivM

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by azfryguy

Thank you very much I thought you were in my house for a seconed haha that was dead on description!!!

Glad to be of help.

This relationship between thumb and little finger may also cause left hand problems. Some players have trouble to keep their pinky close to the strings (for fast/immediate fingering). Stretching the left thumb against the back of the neck is an important cause.
The left hand is best kept like if you are holding a can - this is common upright bass knowledge. Keeping the thumb curved and resting it on the back of the neck only with the upper half of the thumb pad will help to gain control over the little finger.

[azfryguy]

Originally Posted by Chris K

Glad to be of help.

This relationship between thumb and little finger may also cause left hand problems. Some players have trouble to keep their pinky close to the strings (for fast/immediate fingering). Stretching the left thumb against the back of the neck is an important cause.
The left hand is best kept like if you are holding a can - this is common upright bass knowledge. Keeping the thumb curved and resting it on the back of the neck only with the upper half of the thumb pad will help to gain control over the little finger.

i probably should have added that my right hand is the one with the crazy pinkie

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by azfryguy

i probably should have added that my right hand is the one with the crazy pinkie

Was clear to me.