Old Left Pinky Injury

[Bassman8416]

Hey ....I am new to Double Bass...I broke my left pinky playing football at the age of 17......now at 48 I am back in college majoring in jazz performance and have just started out on this big beautiful instrument.....my left pinky is now slightly crooked to the inside towards the rest of the fingers and bends about 70 % and is a little weak as well(I have done all the strengthening exercises etc).....I am considering seeing a hand surgeon to see if there could be improvement through an operation....otherwise i am hoping i can overcome this on the Double bass....being that I just started it is kind of tough....I have managed on electric all these years, but always felt a little held back by this little deformed pinky!!! Anyone else have to deal with pinky problems!!!!
Thanks
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[TomSauter]

I caught a baseball barehanded when I was a kid and broke my pinky. It's still a little crooked, but it doesn't sound like it's as bad as yours. Maybe since you just started playing you haven't build up enough strength yet? Are you having trouble pushing the strings down, or is it tough to make the stretch to play in tune?

[Bassman8416]

Its a little tough holding strings down, particularly the low E, plus when I stretch it, it locks up. I do think over time the improved strength will help. I just wonder if a specialist (surgeon) could help me.

[Feral Feline]

Greetings brothers!

I dislocated my left pinky when I was 16. Holding my hand flat out, palm down and away from me, the pinky tip was trying to do a 180 and point back at me. The doctor had trouble putting it back in place and there was permanent tendon damage.

Had no problems playing trombone. Playing guitar, wound up never using the pinky. High school ended, so did my attempts to play music.

ff>> a few decades. Without the knowledge of Simandl and that I'd be extensively using my pinky I'd already committed myself to learning the instrument, which soon led to doubts about my pinky holding up.

After much encouragement from the RABB members to hang in there, my pinky strength has improved. It's still gibbled in comparison to other fingers and the weak link in the fatigue chain. However, at 42, I'm playing upright and a bit of guitar. Wish I'd done it sooner.

Bassman 8416, I hope to follow in your footsteps and study jazz, but I've only been playing music a couple of years -- whatever I learned in high school evaporated over the years, so I'm starting from scratch.

There's a guy who plays rockabilly bass who has no hand, just uses his stump. Also consider, WWDD? (as in Reinhardt)

There are so many clubs here, maybe there should be a pinky problem club. You're #1, Sauter's #2, I'm #3.

Do whatever it takes man! I'm committed to playing the bass, and that's a pinky promise!

[Jack Clark]

We had a local bass player, Chris Larkin, who had a thumb and only a pinkie on his left hand. He got around the fingerboard very well with that one finger. True, through constant use, it was as big as my middle finger, but I've got to believe that was a terrible handicap not to have his 1st and 2nd fingers at all, never mind the 3rd. I don't remember hearing him solo, but he was very popular as a bassist and played with several groups.

Point is, I guess: Don't forsake the sound you love because you'll have to play it a bit differently. And I'll bet that bent pinky of yours will loosen up a bit and get stronger.

[electracoyote]

I have a student who lost the tip of his ring finger as a younger man. He was very self-conscious about it and thought his handicap would keep him from progressing. My advice to him, even as he continues to try to avoid using that finger, is: "USE IT!" It's a digit, it's just hanging there unused, it may not be perfect, it may never be, but you've got to push yourself to use it to the best of your ability. The more I encourage him, the more he uses it, the better he plays over time.

I have a couple of hand issues myself. I always think about Django Reinhardt for some reason, and I get on with the business of making music despite my perceived handicaps.

[Bassman8416]

Thank you all for the encouragement....I always refer to Django as well. I will keep you all posted on how I (and my pinky) progress. I must admit it has already gotten stronger and this is just after a few weeks. I know....Baby steps!!!!

[SLivinghouse]

I'm in the same situation. About three years ago a neanderthal employee of Harbor Freight tools stores was helping me load a tile saw when he decided to shove the 100lb box, shoulder down like a offensive linemen, into the back of my car. My pinky was the obsticle between the box and the folded rear seat that was keeping it from sliding in smoothly. It broke a chunk off the knuckle about the size of a BB. After the "spoon" and about a year of physical thearapy it has stabilized to where it's at now with about 70-80% motion. Intonation on shifts that land on the pinky are a bit dicey but usually ok. Using the 1,2,4 Simadal fingering is more critical with a bad pinky since it gets support from the 3rd finger. The 1,2,3,4 and "pivot" techniques are probably not in your(or miy) cards.

I generally need to rest it a little more than I did before and not go overboard. If I do, can't play well for a few week or two. On electric, I bought a 6 string which means less shifts (playing across the neck) and that has helped as well.
Good luck.