Nerve Damage in finger

[fbrown627]

I just found out I've done some nerve damage in the middle finger of my right hand. (I think it's from strumming my uke with that finger.)

It was "suggested" by people with more medical knowledge than I, that I stop "fingerpicking" the bass.

That means picks.

I still consider myself a beginner and it seems most learning material out there is for the finger method. Can anyone suggest a good beginning method for pick players?

Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks.

[Lesfunk]

Are you sure you cannot play with your fingers ever?
I had a 14 inch propeller fly off of a model airplane engine turning at 10,00 rpm, hitting my middle finger on my plucking hand basically Mulching the hell out of it.
Lots of stitches later I Had to gig with a pick for about 3 months before I started incorporating fingers back into the mix.
My fingertip is still numb to this day but I'm able to pluck fine.

[Lesfunk]

If you must use a pick just do the same method as fingers except instead of i-m alternation, use up-down pick alternation.

[JimmyM]

Why I keep hammering the Carol Kaye pick method

[Texan]

I broke my neck in the Army and lost use of my left arm (fret hand) and had problems with my left leg for about 3 months. That was in 2004. I don't have the fine motor skills that I used to, but playing bass actually helped me rehabilitate my hand. I still get the twitches now and then, but when I play, I never get them. As funny as it sounds, the triggers on an XBOX controller helped the process too, the varying amounts of pressure for the game functions on the trigger really helped. I'm no Victor Wooten, but I've never not got the gig since I started back. Baby steps man, baby steps. You can do it, just don't give up. If you need something, let me know!!! There is alot to be said for muscle memory.

[Indiana Mike]

Not nerve damage in a finger but nerve damage like Texan.
Had issues for years and was it was told it was muscular but ended up being disc issues in my neck.

Imagine trying to put your left hand in your pocket and
You can't , try to turn a steering wheel and you can't, try to get up from laying down and
You can't...etc... Rinse and repeat daily

And pain that was so intense suicide was considered an option.

That's where I was but had surgery and have gotten most if it back. I still have odd ticks and twitches.

Switching to a pick would be my least concern. Do what u gotta do

[Nedmundo]

Three years ago, I developed a joint problem in my right index finger, so I switched to pick playing. I went through some occupational therapy, which helped the problem considerably, but it was incredibly painful at its worst, so I still use a pick almost all the time to prevent recurrence. I use fingers for the couple of my band's songs that IMO require that tone, and try to use a light touch. I've also worked on using my middle and ring fingers instead of middle/index, but haven't developed that technique enough for stage use (though I might try it tonight at a low pressure open mic).

You should consider some therapy as well, which might reduce the problem enough to play fingerstyle.

Even before this problem, I had used a pick here and there, and I also play guitar, so my technique wasn't that bad. But moving to a pick full time was still a dramatic change, and my technique has evolved.

For example, I've changed to heavy gauge large triangular picks (Clayton 1.26mm mostly), which IMO can get closer to a fingerstyle tone than the smaller, lighter guitar picks I used before. I also grip it with both index and middle finger opposite the thumb, which seems to provide more control and "heft" to the sound. Finally, unless I'm palm muting, I usually pluck near the neck pickup on a Jazz bass, and sometimes move closer to the neck on the treble strings to preserve some thickness. With the right technique, you can sound similar to fingerstyle in a band mix if that's your goal.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by fbrown627

I just found out I've done some nerve damage in the middle finger of my right hand. (I think it's from strumming my uke with that finger.)

It was "suggested" by people with more medical knowledge than I, that I stop "fingerpicking" the bass.

That means picks.

I still consider myself a beginner and it seems most learning material out there is for the finger method. Can anyone suggest a good beginning method for pick players?

Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks.

Suggested, mmmm...... forgive me but who suggested such things as is sounds like cope out to helping you properly?

[Nedmundo]

Last night I did try the middle/ring finger approach for one song, and it worked fine, but I'm not sure my ring finger will ever develop the strength and coordination for this to be like index/middle. I'll keep working at it.

Even so, the point is that alternatives exist, and you might try using your index and ring fingers. It might work, possibly throwing in the middle finger here and there when necessary. Some players go with index finger only. You could develop these skills along with using a pick.

Edit: Just read Jimmy's post on the Carol Kaye method. That's pretty close to my technique, though I do use palm muting sometimes. String mutes wouldn't work, because I want muting only for certain passages, and never for an entire song.

[Russell L]

Go see an orthopedic doctor. First, ask him/her if they play guitar or bass. That way you will be sure if they really understand what kinds of movement and pressure are involved in playing an instrument. You may also be able to play bass with just your index finger. Jamerson did. Otherwise, I thinkthere's still a possibility that you can play with your middle finger as well. Try it using very light pressure. If you get no pain after a few days of really using it, I wouldn't worry about it.