Weird double jointed problem.

[Sceptical1]

Today in my lesson, my teacher noticed that my ring and pinky fingers were bending back in a concave way some times when i would fret (as opposed to an arch). I believe this is because I'm double jointed. However, I'm trying various exercises to improve this and it's really hard not to because it's of course a habit. Has anybody experienced this? What can I do to improve?

[beelzelboss]

My third knuckle will sometimes buckle in. All you have to do is practice making that arc (the correct way). Slow down everything you are doing until it is correct, then slowly speed it up. Start doing a lot of exercises to build up the correct muscles. The problem is that the muscles (tendons/ligaments?) on the bottom of your fingers are strong enough. All you gotta do is make them strong enough.

[Sceptical1]

ohh okay. so i'm definitely practicing the right way , I just have to keep at it. what a pain, these two fingers are always giving me trouble in one way or another =/.

[Elrend]

Does it interfere with playabilty, tone?

Does it hurt to play?

If it doesn't do anything like that, it doesn't really matter.

[pbass337]

it used to happen to me so i bought a finger exercise thing that does each individual finger. i used to carry it in my pocket and use it during classes when i got bored

[Sceptical1]

Do you think those could cause any injury? Like carpal tunnels? If not, it sounds really useful. Also, i don't know if it does affect playability, my teacher seems to think it isn't as accurate and maybe a little sluggish and he's usually right.

[Elrend]

Originally Posted by Sceptical1

Do you think those could cause any injury? Like carpal tunnels? If not, it sounds really useful. Also, i don't know if it does affect playability, my teacher seems to think it isn't as accurate and maybe a little sluggish and he's usually right.

I have no idea if it could cause injury, I'm not double-jointed, nor a doctor. I just play bass!

But learning from drummers in particular, you can basically make any technique work. Technique is (to some extent) more based on personal preference than most people would have you believe.

If whatever you're currently doing works for you, if whatever your teacher decides to do seems to feel less natural than what you are currently doing and if what you're already doing doesn't hurt or interfere with your playing, you should stop worrying and just play!

The most important thing is to play bass, right?

[Plays_For_Dog]

Use hand strengtheners. They have different kinds that vary from a large spring you squeeze together to balls full of putty that you squeeze. Once you build the muscles up in your hand and stregthen the tendons out to your fingers, you will develope correct form. As of now, you are using bone support rather then strength to push the string down.

http://www.rei.com/category/40000052

http://www.awma.com/index.cfm/action...ct_id/9782.htm

Also, make sure you're not gripping the neck, but instead using finger strength. Grabbing the neck can sometimes cause flat fingers. If there is pressure on your thumb (or even worse, the heel of your palm is on the back of the neck), then you're probably grabbing the neck too hard.

[Sceptical1]

I sorta feel the same way lol. However, I figure I may as well give his technique a try and who knows? He's pretty young and is in no way a classic type of teacher who teaches what is traditionally considered correct. So, he is open to different techniques, at the same time what he usually stresses does improve my playing... so I'll give it my best shot.

[Sceptical1]

Originally Posted by Plays_For_Dog

Use hand strengtheners. They have different kinds that vary from a large spring you squeeze together to balls full of putty that you squeeze. Once you build the muscles up in your hand and stregthen the tendons out to your fingers, you will develope correct form. As of now, you are using bone support rather then strength to push the string down.

http://www.rei.com/category/40000052

http://www.awma.com/index.cfm/action...ct_id/9782.htm

Also, make sure you're not gripping the neck, but instead using finger strength. Grabbing the neck can sometimes cause flat fingers. If there is pressure on your thumb (or even worse, the heel of your palm is on the back of the neck), then you're probably grabbing the neck too hard.

Thanks! I'll look into it for sure.

[Elrend]

Originally Posted by Sceptical1

I sorta feel the same way lol. However, I figure I may as well give his technique a try and who knows? He's pretty young and is in no way a classic type of teacher who teaches what is traditionally considered correct. So, he is open to different techniques, at the same time what he usually stresses does improve my playing... so I'll give it my best shot.

See what works out for you!

[Sceptical1]

I suppose I shall.

[WhiteKnuckles]

A couple things come to mind, but without seeing it, it's just guesses.

Are you a fairly new player who might still have the death grip on the neck? In other words...would playing lighter help?

I don't know if it's unusual, but the first knuckle from the tips of my fingers have a pretty good range of motion and can bend backwards 30 deg. or more. I used to really get down on the frets and would end up playing more with the pads of my fingers...which leads me to my second thought.

Are you playing with the pads or the tips of your fingers? Either way, see if you can concentrate on making contact as nearer to the tip so that it's perpendicular to the fretboard.

As far as injury, the only thing I would worry about is stress fractures.

[Tenma4]

I used to have the same issue until last year when I worked for 8 months doing heavy lifting for FedEx. I did daily stretches before lifting, then a whole lot of that. Not too long into it, my fingers didn't do that anymore, for the first time in my life. FWIW, I'm 31.