My dumb little finger

[El Spearo]

Goes like this after playing for a while:

That's my left hand btw, and I'm not missing any fingers, Hahaha! So it starts doing that and kind of locking in that position, so I have to shake it off. Anyone had that issue? I'm guessing it will get better as it gets stronger... Besides practising as much as I can, I'm also using a grip stenghtener thing, the one with the separate springs for each finger. Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Ces.

 

[Epitaph04]

My left hand pinky has been doing that since I first started playing stringed instruments a few years ago. After a year or so it began to strengthen out as my hand became more accustomed to the stretches sometimes required to play bass/guitar.

Still does it to this day, but it doesn't bother me nearly as much as it used to. I never really did anything aside from just doing my best to play with proper technique, really.

 

[El Spearo]

Thanks for your reply mate, so it happens less after a while? Cool.

 

[fearceol]

My first suggestion would be to bin that grip strengthener. Grip has no part in playing the bass, and a minimal amount strength is required to fret a string.

The only advice I can offer, is to make sure to warm up with gentle stretches both before and after you play. Here are some links :

 

[El Spearo]

Thanks for that mate. I do do a lot of stretching, and the grip stenghtener is only 7lb, so nothing too extreme. I guess the best exercise for it is playing itself.

 

[Epitaph04]

On the topic of finger strength, having a decent setup on your instrument is paramount. If your string action is really high you may end up having to exert more force just to fret a note, potentially causing even more pinky weirdness and fatigue.

 

[toughluxury2010]

Goes like this after playing for a while:

That's my left hand btw, and I'm not missing any fingers, Hahaha! So it starts doing that and kind of locking in that position, so I have to shake it off. Anyone had that issue? I'm guessing it will get better as it gets stronger... Besides practising as much as I can, I'm also using a grip stenghtener thing, the one with the separate springs for each finger. Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Ces.

Keep going with the Gripmaster - I have nerve troubles with my fingers after playing for 37 years, but have had massive improvement (despite the doctors saying it wouldn't help). Maybe use un ultralight tension and work up to a medium tension. Hope this helps!

 

[Koji_Sunioj]

All of my fingers bend in that same angle, regardless of how warmed I am. But I think it has to do more with what point of the finger the weight is falling on. When I'm playing, I don't see it interfering at all

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Keep going with the Gripmaster - I have nerve troubles with my fingers after playing for 37 years, but have had massive improvement (despite the doctors saying it wouldn't help). Maybe use un ultralight tension and work up to a medium tension. Hope this helps!

The finger has tight flexor muscles pulling it in for some reason un-known.....so unless a Gripmaster can reverse this, which would be a first in medical history, then drop any sort of grip exercise completely. A Gripmaster, and any exercise that works flexors for that matter, is supporting this shape because they are more powerful than the extensors and counter there ability to balance the hand to open.

Some use may got from such exercises and devices, but that depends on the original weakness or problem that lead to the device being prescribed........sorry being suggested to used. I have yet to meet any medical professional that advises using one as opposed to doing exercises that are safer and cost nothing to do.

If you were a golfer, rock climber, weight lifter etc, then develop a grip because you have to hold on and hold on tight, but if you have to constantly let go then avoid them....bass playing fretting is as much about lifting off (opening the hand) as it is about laying on (closing the hand) in relation to the finger or fretboard action......grip has no place in the technique and the clue to why such devices do not work in the long run is in its name....

 

[El Spearo]

Cheers Fergie, that makes a lot of sense.