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I'm missing fingers...am I screwed?

#61
+1 Jaywa.

There is nothing you are not going to be able to play if you want to. The guys gave you some great examples, I was going to mention Django also. Music comes from the mind, not the fingers, just re-route your ideas around what does work for you and everything will be fine.

(I have two perfectly working hands and still can't play this thing properly so it really doesn't have anything to do with hands anyway)

Go for it!

-eSmith.
 
#62
I think that if someone wants to play the bass with his nose - he could. IMHO, just have to decide to take the time to make it work...

There's lots of good advice here. In the last few years I've been working on playing with my thumb as a pick as inspired by Victor Wooten. It's a different tone and approach but interesting nonetheless.

You can see and hear some examples here : Link Removed
 
#64
one of the neatest guys I have met was a fella named JoeGeezer on here ... Joe was missing fingers and a leg and had several other issues ... he passed away not that long ago, but I found it very humbling and inspiring talking with him on here and in person watching him play ... with all due respect, the limitations we impose upon ourselves is usually between our ears, and not what it actually appears to be ... go inspire someone and have fun ... :)
 
#66
HI, I see this forum is quite old, but have an interest in learning to play the bass guitar, but am the opposite from the OP. I have middle 3 fingers missing from my left-hand, so would I be better off going for a standard bass or a left-handed one?

Any suggestions would be welcome as really found all the the previous comments useful and positive.
 
#68
kieran2011 said:
HI, I see this forum is quite old, but have an interest in learning to play the bass guitar, but am the opposite from the OP. I have middle 3 fingers missing from my left-hand, so would I be better off going for a standard bass or a left-handed one?

Any suggestions would be welcome as really found all the the previous comments useful and positive.
Click to expand...

You could get a lefty bass, and play clements style (i have both hands and he makes me sound like complete crap)...or you can get a right hand bass, and play the Sergey Mavrin plays his guitar...
 
#70
Hi Kieran,

I can only speak for myself. I went south and never looked back. It was pretty challenging at first but once I hit that point, everything started working. I played right handed for many years. and was always limited with my pinky, ring and middle fingers missing on my left and my thumb and middle missing on my right. All but one of my guitars are lefties now. My left index in my hook. I use it almost exclusively except for the occasional slap or pick. Switching lefty made a world of difference for me.
Good luck.
 
#71
Dude, just concentrate on rhythm, and making it feel good, and you will be FINE. It would be nice to have the middle finger, just to flick off any one who will tell you that you can't do it, but I guess you'll have to use your left hand for that.
 
#72
Clockworkbob said:
Hey guys, this may be a weird question, but I've neglected my wanting to play bass for a long time, due to the fact that I'm missing three fingers on my right hand (pinky, ring, and middle). I know bass is more right hand intensive (I'm also right handed) than regular guitar, so should I even bother? I know you're all going to say "of course you should stupid" but how much of a handicap is this really going to be? Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

I haven't read the other posts, but wated to reply now. I'm sorry you're missing some fingers, pal.

Hey, one of the greatest players of all time played with just his index finger. You hear it all the time. Jamerson, man.

Play away!
 

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