Right Index Finger Amputated... Now What??

SubNoizeRat3691 · #1 12-01-2011, 02:36 PM

ok, so I'm right handed, mostly I play with my fingers. My right index finger was crushed at work, the surgeon amputated it just after my first knuckle...

I have tried playing with a pick, but it just does not feel natural, especially between my thumb and middle finger. I have tried incorperating my ring finger, but I can't seem to keep time, even at low tempo.

Am I going about this the wrong way, or do I just need to devote more time to working my ring finger in???

I've been playing for 11 years, and I feel like I still learn new things all the time, It's getting very frustrating, I don't know if I want to start all over...

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thank You

wideload · #2 12-01-2011, 02:46 PM

I have always played without my index finger for some reason, so it can be done. I am sorry to hear of your accident. I know from my own experience (nerve damage from a broken neck) that you can come back to playing from debilitating injury. Keep at it, and don't let frustration about how you USED to play get you down. Think of what you can do to get around the song with what you have, and don't be afraid to drop some speed and a few notes to accomplish the feel and groove you need. NOW GO PRACTICE!

SubNoizeRat3691 · #3 12-01-2011, 02:54 PM

ok, support is good lol anybody use their ring finger extensively? any good exercises to get over that awkward feeling? it just does not feel like it belongs...

DBCrocky · #4 12-01-2011, 02:59 PM

Sorry to hear about your accident...

Don't forget about your thumb! Lot's of bass players are thumb pluckers, like Paul McCartney. Then there is the whole world of double thumping slap bass style - check out YouTube for a ton of Victor Wooten videos...

davec · #5 12-01-2011, 03:04 PM

Sorry to hear about the finger. It's gonna be tough

Give it time, you can never "start over" but you can change directions.

If you get to discouraged.....

Bill Clements | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos

Shoot Bill an email

Bollenator · #6 12-01-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubNoizeRat3691

ok, support is good lol anybody use their ring finger extensively? any good exercises to get over that awkward feeling? it just does not feel like it belongs...

No exercise ideas, but I've definitely used my ring finger before when I would let my callouses soften up and then play too hard, getting nice blisters on my middle finger (my main plucking finger). It's doable, but I agree that it's awkward. I'm sure with time and practice, you can get over the awkwardness and the perceived weakness of that digit.

Another option you might want to consider is adding your thumb for plucking, either along with just your middle finger or working on your ring as well. (EDIT: DBCrocky beat me to it.

)

Just my two cents. For what it's worth, I'm very sorry to hear about your accident and my hopes are with you for finding a new "normal." I can't imagine being in the same situation.

Marty Forrer · #7 12-01-2011, 03:06 PM

sorry to hear. I like the suggestion of thumb plucking. I do it a lot, and with a little practice some speed can be got.
Django Rhienhardt, the gypsy guitarist, was famous for missing some of his fingers, or parts thereof, and he was a mutha! It can be done.

RenorCordic · #8 12-01-2011, 03:06 PM

I tap (drum) my fingers a lot on random surfaces as a habit/nervous tick. Start with the pinky finger and then go to the ring, to the middle, and then your index (even though it is shortened), and finally your thumb. I feel like this helps me when I'm playing bass. Do it at different speeds and even in different orders.

I use my thumbs a lot when I play bass, fretted and plucking.

zenman · #9 12-01-2011, 03:21 PM

The awkwardness goes away after a while.

About 10 years ago I severed about half of the index finger on my right hand. Up until then I played primarily finger-style using my index & middle finger. Now I still play finger-style using two fingers except I'm using my middle & ring finger. It takes quite a while before it feels natural, but you'll get there eventually. Just keep at it. My biggest problem was getting the tip of my ring finger toughened up so it wouldn't blister on me. But that became a non-issue after a while.

I'm sorry to hear about your finger. I know it sucks. But others have overcome this little set-back and if you stick with it you will too.

gmarcus · #10 12-01-2011, 03:21 PM

Sorry to hear about your accident, but its probably not the end of your bass playing. I broke my fretting hand last year and was down to one finger (see attached picture of the Unifinger in action). It was awkward but I could get through the songs with simpler lines. It kind of opened my eyes up to what is possible with open strings.

I know you lost a finger on your plucking hand. I would recommend playing through songs you know well with a metronome. Start slowly and work it up to speed little by little. Use your pick and / or alternate middle and ring finger. After a while you should start to feel comfortable again. You need to build up your muscle memory in a new way.

I had a real hard time playing scales with my injury, but some how my desire to make music made is easier to play songs.

tekhedd · #11 12-01-2011, 03:32 PM

The two middle fingers are not entirely independent physically, so be careful not to work *too* hard for independence. Don't hurt your tendons, they take forever to heal.

I might suggest trying the thumb and middle finger, finger picking style. I've used this occasionally and it takes some getting used to, but can go pretty fast with practice, has the tone of finger style, and does open some options that are difficult with two fingers, like palm mute.

Just a thought.

[edit] everyone beat me to it. Darn skype calls!

Fergie Fulton · #12 12-01-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubNoizeRat3691

ok, so I'm right handed, mostly I play with my fingers. My right index finger was crushed at work, the surgeon amputated it just after my first knuckle...

I have tried playing with a pick, but it just does not feel natural, especially between my thumb and middle finger. I have tried incorperating my ring finger, but I can't seem to keep time, even at low tempo.
Am I going about this the wrong way, or do I just need to devote more time to working my ring finger in???

I've been playing for 11 years, and I feel like I still learn new things all the time, It's getting very frustrating, I don't know if I want to start all over...

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thank You

Believe it or not, not much difference in the long run. Carry on with the ring finger it will become natural and just as good as it was before.
Because of the loss you will develop the new technique because you have no choice in the other parts of your life but to use the ring finger. Players that decide to use the ring finger do so as a choice, but always there is the option to change back or stop using it. You do not have this choice, so as a result you will adapt all aspects of your hand use to cope. Trust me it will happen to the extent you will not notice much difference. I had a friend many years ago that worked in the shipyards, he lost his middle finger and the only difference he noticed was he could not say good night to the foreman in his usual way.

topo morto · #13 12-01-2011, 03:38 PM

Definitely use your thumb - he's the man of the house now.

If you use thumb, ring and middle, that's still one more digit than most people use.

The ring finger can definitely be educated, but it takes time.

Try playing octaves with thumb and your ring and middle.

Plus you can spend time on on your left hand and music theory!

and of course...

Tony Iommi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sorry to hear about the accident, mojos your way.

chaosMK · #14 12-01-2011, 04:52 PM

I'd give your ring finger time and consistent practice. My ring can hold it's own with the rest of my fingers (3-finger style player for many years). I play stuff R/M excluding my index all of the time, just to work it up.

sammyp · #15 12-01-2011, 07:25 PM

sorry to hear that man! if it happened to me i would move right on with the middle and ring ....devoting alot of time to right hand exercises till things started to feel normal!

wish you the best!

Foamy · #16 12-01-2011, 07:32 PM

I generally use 3 fingers - either Index, Middle, and Ring, or Middle, Ring, and Pinky. I do it just to keep my hand loose throughout the gig. So it can be done with some practice. But am I also ambidextrous with many things, so maybe that's naturally easier for me?
Sorry to hear of the injury though.

John D · #17 12-01-2011, 07:35 PM

Sorry to hear about your accident, but don't let it get you down. I have a friend who was born with no fingers on his right hand. All he has are small nubs where his fingers would be. The remainder of his hand is about 1/4 the size of a normal hand, and the "thumb" nub is barely long enough to clip a thumb pic on. Yet, using this thumb pick method, he has been able to play both bass and guitar very well. Where there is a will, there is a way, as they say.

markkoelsch · #18 12-01-2011, 07:37 PM

I would approach this differently. I would start using my right thumb and middle finger. This should work a lot better then the middle ring technique.

I am sorry to hear about your finger. Good luck.

Nev375 · #19 12-01-2011, 07:39 PM

You might also try a thumbpick. They take a lot of getting used to as well though. But since you are going through a relearning/adjusting phase, now is the time for experimentation.

rms2 · #20 12-01-2011, 07:47 PM

Also very sorry to hear about your accident - losing a part of your body is a difficult thing to go through and can take quite a while to adjust to physically and mentally. So hang in there and try to maintain your positive outlook, sounds like you are doing great with this so far.

A few people to check out for inspiration ( though not mainly bassists)

Django Reinhardt - if not familiar with him look him up, and listen to his music because it is incredible. Read the part about his injury in this link;

Django Reinhardt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wes Montgomery - played only with his thumb. Check out his solo on "Says You" among many others, amazing stuff.

Gary Willis - great info on his website for developing the 3 finger technique. You could use this to develop either your middle and index, or even a middle, index, pinky technique.

There is also a guy I will try to find for you who is a great bassist that lost his entire right hand in an accident, got a touch style 6 string bass, and sounds amazing. He later got a prosthetic hand fitted that he is able to do some plucking with as well.

Hang in there! Maybe you can take this opportunity to be better than ever.