Don’t let it stop you from playing. Just learn to move hand positions. Not everyone has the same hands. Don’t sweat it.
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Fretting with pinky - what if I can't?
- Thread starter ViperTim
- Start date
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No buddy, you can play fine without a pinky. You’ll just have to adapt a bit for speed’s sake (if you need it) but for most styles you’ll be fine.
IMO technique shouldn’t be dictated. Technique should be personal and if the textbook one finger per fret doesn’t work for you that’s just fine. It just means shifting that ring finger when needed. Rock on brother.
This might sound a little harsh but it sounds like your trying to compare yourself to someone else. You are you! Practice and adapt, make it your style. If you aren't willing to ditch the Bird by finding a more suitable / comfortable bass (not selling necessarily) you aren't helping yourself at all! The handicap is now 2 fold? Your pinky and your bass. Be willing to try something different!
You absolutely can play bass without the pinky. You may have to simplify your bass parts to compensate but it should not be a problem. I can play walking bass lines without the pinky on a full scale bass, no problem. You will just have to adjust your technique but it definitely can be done. Good luck.
Required? Absolutely not. I use my pinky a lot, but a few years back I sliced my pinky pretty bad, perpendicular to the tip, two days before a big show. No option but to suck it up and figure it out, which I did. You have to move your hand a little more and the faster passages require more concentration. It took a few weeks and quite a few shows before I could use it again.
I don't use my pinky hardly ever, and don't have issues. Using my ring finger instead has not prevented be from playing and gigging just fine and I use both standard 34" scale as well as short scales. I probably have a bit more hand movement than those that can use their pinkies, not a big deal IMO.
I have a guy I play with occasionally that plays guitar and he lost his pointer finger to almost the 1st knuckle, so about half his finger, and still figured out a way to keep playing and gigging.
I have a guy I play with occasionally that plays guitar and he lost his pointer finger to almost the 1st knuckle, so about half his finger, and still figured out a way to keep playing and gigging.
Lee Sklar, one of the most prolific session bassists of all time, has only two fingers that really function on his left hand. If he can do it so can you.
If you’re not opposed to experimenting, maybe you could try tuning in thirds and see how that works for you (and eventually move to a 5 strings, so you’ll have about the same range as a 4 strings in normal tuning (fourths))
Two thoughts.
First - move your hand around more so you don't injure yourself trying to stretch. I've never understood why some bass instructors tell students to keep their hands in one spot and stretch their fingers over 4 frets. You're allowed to move your hand. I sometimes even practice playing using just one finger on my fretting hand, for fun.
Second - if need be you could get a short scale or medium scale bass. Lots of people use them. They sound awesome and are easier to play if you're just using three fingers.
First - move your hand around more so you don't injure yourself trying to stretch. I've never understood why some bass instructors tell students to keep their hands in one spot and stretch their fingers over 4 frets. You're allowed to move your hand. I sometimes even practice playing using just one finger on my fretting hand, for fun.
Second - if need be you could get a short scale or medium scale bass. Lots of people use them. They sound awesome and are easier to play if you're just using three fingers.
Oh yeah, definitely.
I see how "You should use your pinky" all the time and I'm struggling and I can but it's just no good. And it wont be good either.
Yeah the Thunderbird isn't helping but it is rock 'n roll. The style I want to play isn't advanced either, I like bassists that's playing low root notes. I'm not much for the "advanced and cool" style of bass playing, at least not yet.
But either way no, it's not helping as you say. Double trouble.
I have not, but I'm not having any real life issues with it either except only for bass playing (and a little guitar).
That is actually not a bad idea but I believe I need more basic understanding of music before I try that out.
Yeah I'll skip the pinky and just move around. It's better that way for me.
Regarding short scale, I want the Thunderbird. I love the feel and the looks of it. I have zero troubles playing it with 3 fingers, I'm just struggling with using the pinky. Which I also have on 25,5" scale guitars but less struggle of course.
Thanks everybody for the replies!
I'll just do it 3 fingers and maybe once in a while put in the pinky if I know it's working for whatever position I'm in.
I'm not an advanced player and will never be. I just wanna play bass, make some noise and have fun.
Came here to say Rocco Prestia (Tower of Power bassist) primarily played with only his index finger on his left hand, using the rest of his fingers to lay over the strings and create a muted, percussive sound. You will be fine!!!!
Then don't use your pinky. It is not required that one uses their pinky, it might make some passages harder to play but if there's a will there's a way
As has been said, learn to shift your hand a little bit. I started playing upright a few years back and that made me change my technique and shift my left hand a bit. After you get used to it you will not even think about it.
If you can't use it, don't. There are no "laws" saying you must. When I started playing bass in the early 70s, barely anyone was using their pinky. Most of the rock bassist were only using 3 fingers. That was how I played up until the late 80s or early 90s when I saw players like John Patitucci and Kim Stone. That was when I started using mine.
If you re-read that, I said I work around using my pinky by minor hand/wrist movements. That's where I'm feeling the arthritis.
I'm fine, thank you.
