Problems with fretting

Little Twister · #1 07-14-2008, 05:30 PM

Hi, I'm new to the forum as well as to bass playing. I've been learning for over a month now and recently I notice that I have a hard time using my pinkie finger (I think it's because my pinkie is a bit small). Is this normal? Do I need to work on it? Are other bass players with the same problem?
Thanks!

BrennP90 · #2 07-14-2008, 05:38 PM

Don't worry, this just takes time to build up strength.

Great start though, I've seen many people that have played years and do not use their pinky at all.

Thingus995 · #3 07-14-2008, 05:39 PM

I have the same problem (I'm missing my pinkie knuckle on my fretting hand and that doesn't help) but its just something that I've had to work on cause my pinkie is one of the harder fingers to make do what I want... It takes building finger strength to be able to use your pinkie to fret, and I am constantly trying to improve finger strength in all my of my fingers, but pinkie and ring finger especially

myhot4 · #4 07-14-2008, 05:43 PM

Yes you will have to build strength in your pinky. Try to search for iron pinky. I remember reading some excercises relating to that. Alternatively how I would do it now, is to play scales in whole notes with a metronome. Up and down the neck. This will do wonders for your dexterity. Once you are comfortable with that, there is an excercise in the Eden Electronics website that has help me out a lot and I still use it to this day. Its the lesson 1 on the inetrmediate section. Modes and diatonic scales.

iamthebassplayr · #5 07-14-2008, 05:52 PM

Its completely normal to have trouble fretting with your pinky... besides strengthening it, being able to use it independently and when you need it can only be beneficial..

http://www.activebass.com/default.asp?src=l&l=12692&p=1

The first exercise is great for strengthening the ring and pinky fingers as well as learning to move them independantly...

As always, go slow, practice-practice-practice =)

Little Twister · #6 07-14-2008, 05:59 PM

Thanks for the quick response. I'm looking into some fingering exercises to (hopefully) improve my fretting. Thanks again for the advices.

lexxmexx · #7 07-14-2008, 08:54 PM

I wear my bass pretty high (hate it! would love to wear it lower) and I still have problems getting my pinky to reach the low strings (E or B) beyond the 7th fret. Is that normal?

Nyarlathotep · #8 07-14-2008, 09:11 PM

My pinkies lock up when I use 'em for fretting or plucking

I find it funny.....

Little Twister · #9 07-15-2008, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielTulip

My pinkies lock up when I use 'em for fretting or plucking

I find it funny.....

Oh man! And I thought I was the only one. =p

Spikeh · #10 07-15-2008, 04:06 AM

Yep, I'm another one who used to have pinky trouble. It takes time to get complete control, but you get there in the end

Best thing I found was to just concentrate on it - stretch before playing and play scales or chromatics using every finger.

Also, seeing as though you're only new to playing, here's some advice that should help you (I still suffer from this). When you're playing with any of your fingers, try not to let your other fingers wave / spaz about - keep them close to the strings, on the fretboard... that'll give you more control in the long run and make the frets more accessible to the strings.

Another quick note too - keep your arm and wrist straight! This really does matter and helps your fingering technique no end. It stops stress on your arm and wrist and gives you more fludity with your fret movement.

rarisgod · #11 07-15-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Twister

Hi, I'm new to the forum as well as to bass playing. I've been learning for over a month now and recently I notice that I have a hard time using my pinkie finger (I think it's because my pinkie is a bit small). Is this normal? Do I need to work on it? Are other bass players with the same problem?
Thanks!

Very normal, just keep working at it! I remember that same trouble with myself. I worked at it and eventually got it a lot stronger.

mrjim123 · #12 07-15-2008, 08:43 AM

You can exercise your little finger while you are driving.

Pretend the steering wheel is the neck. Place your thumb on the underside of the steering wheel and practice fretting on the back side of the steering wheel. Stretch the little finger as far as you can while still being able to press down with the tip of the finger.

It's a little awkward, but it seems to work my hand in a manner similar to fretting with all 4 fingers.

Little Twister · #13 07-17-2008, 08:49 AM

thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it. I'll try fretting my steering wheel tomorrow.