need help with pinky

pica · #1 01-01-2010, 05:55 PM

I've been playing bass for only 6-7 months. I can't seem to move my pinky on it's own. When I move it my third finger moves with it. Will this work itself out over time or are there any exercises I can do to strengthen the pinky. I've seen these finger exercise gadgets in catalogs but have been skeptical of them.

jb63 · #2 01-01-2010, 07:31 PM

Do the exercise that is at 2min50sec. That will build finger independence. This video is a bit outdated but the information isn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGE2e...=TL&playnext=1

Raven2k360 · #3 01-01-2010, 11:55 PM

Stuart Hamm is a bad-ass...

dmusic148 · #4 01-02-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven2k360

Stuart Hamm is a bad-ass...

^ yep. Mr Hamm has a lot of good stuff. He can really play. Super nice guy, too.

Raven2k360 · #5 01-02-2010, 02:41 AM

I've got his 'Kings of Sleep' album. Buddy of mine turned me onto it; said, "Since you play bass AND like Satriani so much...check this guy out, he's Satriani's bassist." Of course that wasn't exactly what he said, but just the gist of it.

fearceol · #6 01-02-2010, 10:27 AM

Do chromatic scale exercises using one finger per fret, on the higher ( 5th and above) frets to avoid over reaching.

Another exercise is to place the four fingers on say, frets 5,6,7, and 8. Keeping your index, middle and ring fingers down on the frets, 5, 6, and 7, try lifting the pinkie.

Yet another is this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iGRkzUehA0

It will take a while to build up strength in the pinkie. These exercises worked for me. Stick with them and they should do for you also.

BTW, I agree about the finger exercise gadgets.