Done worrying about pinky

[bassman2020]

I've practiced several techniques to keep my pinky close to fretboard and nothing seems to work. I'm progressing in my playing even with the "flying" pinky and using it effectively when needed so I'm done worrying about how it looks and moving on to be the best bass player I can be. However, I'm wondering if down the road it will be a problem. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

 

[Bassmantalk]

another finger always help

I had a similar problem and i fixed it this way:

-------------------------------1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1------------------------------
---------------------1-2-3-4--------------------4-3-2-1---------------------
-----------1-2-3-4----------------------------------------4-3-2-1-----------
-1-2-3-4------------------------------------------------------------4-3-2-1-

Between each of the notes played relax your hand, keep all your fingers on the fretboard and with your right hand slowly only lift one of the fingers at the time while keeping other fingers on the fretboard. try moving them around like you'd be giving a bird to someone, but with absolutely no muscle used in left hand.. only with the right hand.

Usually the problem isn't in the pinky itself but in middle or ring finger.

Let me know if you find this helpful.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I've practiced several techniques to keep my pinky close to fretboard and nothing seems to work. I'm progressing in my playing even with the "flying" pinky and using it effectively when needed so I'm done worrying about how it looks and moving on to be the best bass player I can be. However, I'm wondering if down the road it will be a problem. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

I think most of us slide a little. I've got several things that are not done correctly, but, I too have decided that what I do is close enough for what I am doing. This is a hobby that I enjoy doing. I gig three of four times a month with a Country band and every Wednesday and Sunday play Praise music at our church. That's about all the music I care to do - and in both cases they keep sending me the schedule and song selections so I guess it's close enough.

Now if down the road you plan on feeding the family from your playing better keep working on the pinky. My point; I think we all can improve, but, are we willing to invest the amount of time it will take. That's a decision we each have to make. I'm happy with what I am doing. Now that does not mean I do not have to work on this weeks song selection. I do or rust develops.

 

[ZenG]

You mean when you're playing , your pinky curls up on itself?

I was watching Tal Wilkenfeld play the other night and I noticed her pinky curls up on her...........so don't feel too bad.......

 

[INTP]

When I do finger independence exercises, I still try to keep all fingers, including the pinky, close to the fretboard. But mostly I don't worry about it that much. Finger independence/playing relaxed seems a better goal, IMHO.

 

[bassman2020]

another finger always help

I had a similar problem and i fixed it this way:

-------------------------------1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1------------------------------
---------------------1-2-3-4--------------------4-3-2-1---------------------
-----------1-2-3-4----------------------------------------4-3-2-1-----------
-1-2-3-4------------------------------------------------------------4-3-2-1-

Between each of the notes played relax your hand, keep all your fingers on the fretboard and with your right hand slowly only lift one of the fingers at the time while keeping other fingers on the fretboard. try moving them around like you'd be giving a bird to someone, but with absolutely no muscle used in left hand.. only with the right hand.

Usually the problem isn't in the pinky itself but in middle or ring finger.

Let me know if you find this helpful.

Thank you.

 

[bassman2020]

I think most of us slide a little. I've got several things that are not done correctly, but, I too have decided that what I do is close enough for what I am doing. This is a hobby that I enjoy doing. I gig three of four times a month with a Country band and every Wednesday and Sunday play Praise music at our church. That's about all the music I care to do - and in both cases they keep sending me the schedule and song selections so I guess it's close enough.

Now if down the road you plan on feeding the family from your playing better keep working on the pinky. My point; I think we all can improve, but, are we willing to invest the amount of time it will take. That's a decision we each have to make. I'm happy with what I am doing. Now that does not mean I do not have to work on this weeks song selection. I do or rust develops.

Thank you. Feeling all of this.