Ring and Pinky Finger

[Bass-4-God]

HEEEELLLLPPPP Please

When I play my ring finger curls under when I fret with my
pinky finger. How do I break this habit so my fingers won't be dependent of the other. I was told that there was nothing I could do because it has something to do with the tendons
of the ring and pinky finger. Please Help!!!!!

[rancidrancid]

Relax!
It's not that big of a thing, I do it to, except when I fret with pinky, the ring goes on the same fret or one fret down.

[meev991]

Originally Posted by rancidrancid

Relax!
It's not that big of a thing, I do it to, except when I fret with pinky, the ring goes on the same fret or one fret down.

indeed u have to relax. understand that human physiology has limitations.

just, whatever u do, don't strain yourself. Especially when using pinky and ring fingers.

[0rion]

Just go up and down the fretboard, every fret, using all 4 fingers. Go through your scales, using all 4 fingers. Gradually your fingers will gain more independence as they strengthen.

[Infernal Affair]

From my understanding of basic biology, the ring finger and pinky are connected through some muscles, so it takes a little bit more work to develop independence for the pinky versus the other fingers. Keep your palm open. Now try to fold your pinky down like you can your other fingers. It usually won't go down without the ring finger.

However, for fretting all your fingers are usually curled anyway.

[tr68gt]

Originally Posted by 0rion

Just go up and down the fretboard, every fret, using all 4 fingers. Go through your scales, using all 4 fingers. Gradually your fingers will gain more independence as they strengthen.

+1
I had trouble with this too, at first. Don't worry, but try what Orion says, it'll help.

[ZoSoIV]

Left hand "piling" up

[RaNdOm PoStEr]

I advise using your toes.

[meev991]

Originally Posted by RaNdOm PoStEr

I advise using your toes.

you ever see the guys who have to play guitar with their feet because they were born without arms

[brainhii]

chromatic scales. need i say more? just start in teh lower register at the bottom of the neck and work your way up teh entire length of the neck if you have to. and if you have to start slow. real slow. as in like daaaaaaaa daaaaaaaaa daaaaaaa etc. hope that helps

[thewanderer24]

This kind of ring finger pinky issue is typical and not too tough to fix.

Basic finger independence exercise (fingers numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, with one finger per fret).

Play with a metronome going SLOW. If you can't control the finger movements the way you want, go slower.
start on lowest string in 1st position
1-2-3-4
repeat on next higher string at 1st position, then on each higher string. Then come down with the reverse pattern (4-3-2-1 in this case) from high string to lowest.

Shift to 5th position and repeat. Then shift to 9th position, then 12th, then 17th. Come back down the neck the same way.

When you get the basic idea, notice that there are 23 more permutations of 1-2-3-4
1-2-4-3, 1-3-2-4, 1-3-4-2., 1-4-2-3, 1-4-3-2
2-3-4-1, 2-3-1-4, 2-1-3-4, 2-1-4-3, 2-4-1-3, 2-4-3-1
3-4-1-2, 3-4-2-1, 3-1-2-4, 3-1-4-2, 3-2-1-4, 3-2-4-1
4-1-2-3, 4-1-3-2, 4-2-1-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-1-2, 4-3-2-1

Choose a different pattern each day for your practice. It's a great exercise to make part of your warm up routine. I do this every day. Remember, slow is good if you want to train proper muscle memory and independence.