Should I use different fingering ?

[lw216316]

When I bought my L-03R last month I decided to 'get serious' about learning to play.
So I've been learning scales. Now I have a problem.

Years ago I dislocated the pinky on my left hand. It has not been a problem in playing guitar until now.
Now that I'm 'streaching' the pinky to practice scales it sometimes will 'catch / lock' in a straight line at the knuckle and not 'curl' as it normally would. So I miss the string and fret I was 'aiming' at and make a mess.

When it 'catches' the only way I can straighten the finger back out is to totally relax my entire hand or to push in at the underside of the knuckle with a finger on my other hand.

Anybody else have this problem ?
Do you think I should learn to play scales by not using the pinky and playing the scale note on the next string and use the first finger ?

normal pinky curl
             x
         x       x

when my pinky locks at the knuckle

xxxxxxxxx
                x  <----finger tip

- Larry

[dberch]

Both my ring fingers do that.  I jammed them so many times playing basketball in my younger days that the joints are shot.  Luckily, it doesn't hapen (knock wood) when I play.  Not sure what you can about it.

David

[Dale_I]

There are a lot of players with what would be considered "poor form", "non traditional styles", or "unconventional". Seems to me that as long as you are making the notes clean, whatever works for you should be good to go.

Don't get me wrong, there are possible advantages to playing in a technically good position. I played classical for a while and it taught me a lot about "proper positioning". However, if it doesn't work for you for a physical reason, there should be no shame in making good music however you can.

Viva la difference...

[Vancat]

that happens to me. I tried using athletic tape and taped my finger into a permanent curl, but then that got in the way other times.

It only happens to me when I play open barre chords for some weird reason.

[Danny]

This really happened last week to me... I couldn't play at all in our weekly git together and it was seriously suggested, with a lot of technical advice, that I consider playing slide. For now I'm just resting my hands and not even playing anything that overstretchs my left hand ring and middle finger. So I'm just playing with my hand in one basic C chord position and changing chords by my pinky and moving the same position up and down the scale. I can't even do a F unless I barre it(which hurts a little) so I 'm just makin noise for now. Some pleasant some not. Danny

[lw216316]

..sorry to hear that Danny   
...hope it improves for you.

I've decided to slide my ring finger up the string to get the pinky note.

If I start doing in public, some of this stuff I'm practicing, I don't want to take the chance that my pinky will lock up on me and make a mess. I may be playing solo in front of a hundred people or more...
so don't want to stop in the middle of my song and say,
"Excuse me while I unlock my pinky"   


- Larry with the Larrivee and the locking pinky

[Danny]

                           I am on the mend. I was playing a little and I can now barre and move around with E type and some 7th and minors. Just NO stretching or bending ring and middle. There's always a plan B or C. Danny

[docrach1]

Larry,  It sounds like you have a varient of what is called a  "trigger finger."  Basically the tendons of your fingers run through a sheath that surrounds and helps it slide smoothly.  If through an injury this sheath has a scar or is swollen it can catch the tendon and hold it in place.  You can counter this by pushing and forcing the tendon to slide through.  Sometimes an injection of steroids can help this .  Sometimes a good hand therapist can get it to release.  Sometimes, though it takes surgery to get it to play nice.  Have you shown your family doctor?  He  (she?) can confirm the nature of the tendon injury and send you on for therapy or surgery.  Or you can make it part of your act and snap it back in a syncopated beat with your playing.  Look great on u-tube.  Les (Happy d-10 Jester owner)

[fstede]

  Try turning your wrist more towards the body of the guitar when streching your fingers...works for me on hard to fret chords...

[lw216316]

 docrach1, I dislocated the finger 40 years ago ( in martial arts ). Surgery is not of interest to me.



fstede, your technique may be of help. I'll try it. - tks.

- Larry

[docrach1]

Larry,  I was not suggesting you have surgery.  I was just presenting to you a possible reason for your problem and some possible avenues you might explore if you so wished.  Surgery would be the very last option I would ever advise. Just trying to be a source of information for a mutual forum member. Les

[lw216316]

I was not suggesting you have surgery 

no problem. 
Thanks for your response. 

- Larry