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NYE gig, injured finger

#41
I recall playing gigs in the '80s with index and ring or middle and ring due to injury, to the point that I practiced with alternate fingers. I smashed my index finger in a door at home two days ago, and my very first thought was "what gigs are going to be screwed up by this?" Taped it up, took some non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and jammed with the band last night, it was fine. I may lose the fingernail, and that may be a longer-term problem.
 
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#42
dtsamples said:
Strained my RH middle finger bowling four weeks ago. Punk-a$$ phalange still hasn't healed. My DIP joint all swole and won't bend right. I can play okay, I guess, but definitely hurts to dig in, especially to play the B. Gonna tape it up good and see if I can't hit that stride between drunk enough not to feel it and not drunk enough to embarrass the band.

Any of you basstards ever had to tape a joint to get up and pluck? How'd it go?
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I've had similar injuries and had to get by for a few months "limping" with one less finger (did it to my fretting pinky/4th finger using too much vibrato and had to lay off, also did it to my middle finger on plucking hand).

In your case I've gotten by hooking it like Jamerson with just my index finger. I don't know what it is, but it feels really good in a groove. Sometimes I go back to it even though all my fingers work fine these days and I have to force myself to go back!
 
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#43
Took me a few weeks to get used to using my ring finger after I could use the hand again. I'd say spend many hours today and tomorrow learning to use yours. Best wishes for a great and painless gig.
hand.jpg
 
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#45
Bob Clayton said:
I would play with the pick. Who cares who the BL used to play with?
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This. OP claims that the BL has high expectations of his bassist, including only finger style, but excluding "that stride between drunk enough not to feel it and not drunk enough to embarrass the band." If it were me, I would rather have a sober dude with a pick. Just sayin.' In any case, best of luck.
 
#48
dtsamples said:
Strained my RH middle finger bowling four weeks ago. Punk-a$$ phalange still hasn't healed. My DIP joint all swole and won't bend right. I can play okay, I guess, but definitely hurts to dig in, especially to play the B. Gonna tape it up good and see if I can't hit that stride between drunk enough not to feel it and not drunk enough to embarrass the band.

Any of you basstards ever had to tape a joint to get up and pluck? How'd it go?
Click to expand...
Dude just find a D.R (PREFERABLY A HAND SPECIALIST"_ before you do real unrepairable damages! not worth it!! yes my spelling sucks!!
 
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#49
I cut my first finger on my plucking hand a few years back: pushed it into a brand new razor blade that was at the bottom of a pocket in a bag. I couldn't use the finger at all for about 6 weeks so to get through I played with my middle and third fingers. I don't know if the swelling will allow you this option but it worked fine for me: so much so that I now regularly pluck with 3 fingers instead of two. I was also a bit surprised at how quickly I adapted.

Hope your gig goes well and hope the finger gets better soon!
 
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#50
You can also use your index finger as a "pick". Just hold your hand as if you were holding a pick, push your index finger out just a bit and then play as if you were holding a pick using only the tip of your index finger. I've done that while playing in the cold where it was too cold to move my fingers.
 
#51
First of all, Tylenol 3 or something, and less booze... IMO.

You'll naturally adjust your technique to compensate... it won't sound as good and clean to you, but the good AND bad news is, not many people will notice any difference in the audience.

Once I severely cut my right hand index finger at the tip, stitches and all... had to have a fill-in for a gig, then managed to learn how to play with the middle and ring fingers instead of index and middle. It was a challenge, felt strange, I had to focus, and cut down on some of the intricacies I might normally use, but I got by.

So, you can manage... but I would say, don't rely on alcohol as your anesthetic. You may simply need to use just your index finger, and simplify your parts.

EDIT-- I see @maxmaroon had exactly the same situation I did, with the same solution. You'll get by, if you try. Put another way, you can't always play like you want... but if you try some time, you just might find, you play like you need.
 
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#53
MultiScaleMale said:
Maybe go a gauge lighter on the strings for this gig and compensate with some EQ.
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Another good idea. It's tough to balance rest with wanting/having to gig for injuries. I have been dealing with some pretty bad issues the last 2 months and have been toughing it out. I will say that turning up a lot and using a lot more compression and a lighter touch (a light touch is about all I was capable of for a while) helped me push through without (hopefully) doing too much harm. I had to become somewhat of a different player but in the end I believe it will contribute to my growth as a player: through the difficult times we can appreciate the good.
 
#56
Have you ever worked on picking with your thumb and index?

I use floating thumb technique and rest my second thumb knuckle (the one closest to the tip) to rest against the lower strings, and that's the knuckle I bend to attack the strings. I alternate this with my index. I can actually play quicker this way than with the index and middle.
 
#59
Any chance you can turn up a bit and lighten your touch?

I also agree with going to the pick for a few songs. If you roll off that tone and/or use a little palm muting, pick can sound a lot like fingerstyle.

BTW, if you don't bowl regularly, a couple of games can really do a number on your hand and fingers. I have literally been where you are, it takes you by surprise and is a bitch. Good luck with everything.
 
#60
dtsamples said:
Strained my RH middle finger bowling four weeks ago. Punk-a$$ phalange still hasn't healed. My DIP joint all swole and won't bend right. I can play okay, I guess, but definitely hurts to dig in, especially to play the B. Gonna tape it up good and see if I can't hit that stride between drunk enough not to feel it and not drunk enough to embarrass the band.

Any of you basstards ever had to tape a joint to get up and pluck? How'd it go?
Click to expand...
I can play with both hands tied behind my back. That's usually when I sound the best.:woot:
 
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