Fretting.

[Misery89]

Hi Everyone,

New member but have been browsing for a while. Currently own a Ibanez CT & Sterling Music Man HH 5.

I’m wondering as I’m self taught like a imagine quite a few of us are, does anybody actually use their ring finger? I see loads of post saying it’s weak etc, my little fingers lock up and always have which makes playing runs hard and for majority of my time playing I have never used it.

Within the last six months I have started to use my pinky and whilst making progress it still locks up. I find using my third finger quite comfortable and whilst I will play 1-2-3-4 most the time my habit is 1-3-4 and will use my ring finger for most runs.

Anybody have the pinky issue? & fixed without surgery? I spent most my youth playing guitar hero with the three fingers as it locks so bad.

apologies for the long post!
Thanks.

 

[Lobster11]

Lots of players use the pinky and ring fingers together as a unit, especially when playing down near the nut where OFPF ("one finger per fret") is more difficult. This doesn't ignore the pinky but rather combines it with the ring finger.

 

[Misery89]

I did see that mentioned as well, tried it and near impossible, my ring finger I dare say is just as strong as my first two.

 

[JW56789]

I play keys, so I've always used all four fingers on the neck.

 

[chris_b]

I don't put enough energy into gripping the neck and fretting to lock up fingers. I use all fretting techniques but mainly 124. The idea of a good technique is to play the instrument and not stretch, strain or tire your hands, fingers or wrists while doing it.

IMO you certainly don't need surgery on your hands, and as you say you are improving, time and practice is all you need.

 

[Misery89]

Cheers Chris,

it’s not just guitar playing I can’t bend my little fingers without them locking. That’s what makes me think I need surgery.
Although they are now more useable as I use them more It’s still balls.

 

[bholder]

Cheers Chris,

it’s not just guitar playing I can’t bend my little fingers without them locking. That’s what makes me think I need surgery.
Although they are now more useable as I use them more It’s still balls.

Yeah, practice practice practice is good and all, but if joints are physically locking, it's time to see a doctor....

 

[Misery89]

Yeah, practice practice practice is good and all, but if joints are physically locking, it's time to see a doctor....

Ive searched far and wide on the internet but as you can imagine everybody says something else.

They have locked since I can remember which is why my ring ringer is quite strong as I grew up using it instead of my pinkey.

 

[Mushroo]

Welcome! Here is my advice to you:

Instead of wondering how you are "supposed to" play, go on youtube and study how people actually play. (You can use the settings/gear icon to slow-mo the video.)

For example, when I watch Rush videos, I see that Geddy Lee, one of the greatest players of all time, uses his ring finger often (just like you).

If Geddy Lee is "allowed" to use his ring finger, then so are you!

 

[bholder]

Well I think using all your fingers is a given, I thought op was asking about using the ring instead of the pinky. Me, I use both independently (mostly).

 

[Swipter]

I use my pinky. It depends on what I'm playing. I find it easier now that I do, as opposed to when I could not.

Just do it and it will come.

 

[Misery89]

Well I think using all your fingers is a given, I thought op was asking about using the ring instead of the pinky. Me, I use both independently (mostly).

I was, I appreciate all advice though.

I do watch a load of bassist and how they play just thought it’s better to ask a forum full of Bass players to get real opinions instead of Staring at hands all day.

I spent a good few hours yesterday watching Flea.

 

[Lo-E]

Have you looked into 1-2-4 fingering, derived from Simandl classical technique? If you haven’t, it may be something worth exploring for you. It’s a method of using the ring finger and pinky together so that the pinky is supported by the strength of the ring finger.

In the end, whatever technique works for you is right but you should definitely try conventional fingerings and hand positions first and adjust from there to suit your own physique.

 

[Misery89]

I use my pinky. It depends on what I'm playing. I find it easier now that I do, as opposed to when I could not.

Just do it and it will come.

Now I have started using it as you say it is coming along.

Just the locking issue makes it hard to use it for runs so really just use it for notes here and there.

 

[Swipter]

Now I have started using it as you say it is coming along.

Just the locking issue makes it hard to use it for runs so really just use it for notes here and there.

The Van Halen song Ice Cream Man has some runs you can use. It's in Eb but you can get Music Speed Changer and speed the song to 0.80ish and not have to downtune the bass. It won't even sound odd. I use the Free Musuc Offlline app to download the song.

You can slow the song down to help the bass part until you have it. A lot of old Van Halen has similar bass runs.

Hope this helps.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

Hi Everyone,

New member but have been browsing for a while. Currently own a Ibanez CT & Sterling Music Man HH 5.

I’m wondering as I’m self taught like a imagine quite a few of us are, does anybody actually use their ring finger? I see loads of post saying it’s weak etc, my little fingers lock up and always have which makes playing runs hard and for majority of my time playing I have never used it.

Within the last six months I have started to use my pinky and whilst making progress it still locks up. I find using my third finger quite comfortable and whilst I will play 1-2-3-4 most the time my habit is 1-3-4 and will use my ring finger for most runs.

Anybody have the pinky issue? & fixed without surgery? I spent most my youth playing guitar hero with the three fingers as it locks so bad.

apologies for the long post!
Thanks.

I use all 4 fingers now and it took me almost a year to get comfortable with it so yeah. Practice practice practice

 

[Misery89]

The Van Halen song Ice Cream Man has some runs you can use. It's in Eb but you can get Music Speed Changer and speed the song to 0.80ish and not have to downtune the bass. It won't even sound odd. I use the Free Musuc Offlline app to download the song.

You can slow the song down to help the bass part until you have it. A lot of old Van Halen has similar bass runs.

Hope this helps.

I will check it out, I use ultimate guitar App which has the same feature and is super helpful.

learnt a lot of chilli peppers that way.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

Also bass is a very physical instrument. No matter how long you practice at some point your hand will lock up on certain techniques. People who have been in bands for 20 plus years even have that problem.

 

[Misery89]

Also bass is a very physical instrument. No matter how long you practice at some point your hand will lock up on certain techniques. People who have been in bands for 20 plus years even have that problem.

Not sure if this is allowed but it’s my only video I have without going home and recording and want to sure you what I mean.

Benjamin on TikTok

look at my pinky as you see it’s usable but just locks.

If not allowed, don’t shoot me just remove.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

Not sure if this is allowed but it’s my only video I have without going home and recording and want to sure you what I mean.

Benjamin on TikTok

look at my pinky as you see it’s usable but just locks.

If not allowed, don’t shoot me just remove.

It's just hard bro. I feel comfortable enough now that not using my pinky is uncomfortable. But that just took a lot of time playing and especially practicing scales. Even then it still took a considerable amount of time for it to feel normal. So it's just about building up dexterity in those fingers. Won't happen instantly.