Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Article: Pinky Problems

  1. Default Flying Pinky!

    Recently retired so really would like to work through the Vogt system. I own the DVD's/books and started on Lesson 1. As a former music major, I don't have problems with the theory stuff. However, my fretting hand does not behave like Roy's in the videos. Most notable problem is that my pinky wants to curl up instead of laying flat and being manageable.

    Roy doesn't mention anything in the system about finger control, so i'm wondering is my situation unique? Or is this common and something that can be improved? If so, can anyone provide tips on how train that finger to cooperate with the rest?

    Thank you,

    J Giles
    WA State

  2. #2

    Default

    Your problem is NOT unique. The curling pinky happens frequently to new students. Roy's fingers don't show this problem because of how long he's been playing. His fingers have adapted out of sheer repetition.

    The more you practice, the more your fingers will cooperate. Just go through the exercises. When you're new, no more than half an hour per day. Get limbered up.

    I asked the exact same question when I first began. It really wasn't long before my fingers started doing what was required of them!

    Keep on it. You'll get better every day!


    - low life -

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    New Liskeard, Ontario
    Posts
    528

    Default

    Good morning J Giles

    Indeed, flying fingers, or the pinky salute is perhaps more common, but both result from, I think, two issues. The first is that some of the fingers share tendons, and thus are more difficult to keep independent. The second is tension in the hand. This is certainly what wraps my picking hand pinky while pounding through something like Blitzkreig Bob, finger style.

    To relax the fretting hand, especially at the beginning of your studies, you may find it helpful to go with the 1-2-4 finger approach over 3 frets, below the 5th fret. Lane Baldwin at Bass Lessons HQ covers this well. If you want to keep with the 1 finger per fret, fine, but work on keeping your hand relaxed and pivoting or shifting smoothly, especially when going from the ring to the third finger.

    If you want a specific exercise to work with slide on over to Scott’s Bass Lessons at the following link: http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/tec...-exercise.html. While you are there, check out lesson #116. for finger independence.

    Do the exercises slowly-I mean painfully slowly.

    Another suggested approach is to, again slowly; pick an area of the neck where you can do 1 finger per fret with your hand relaxed say starting at the 7th fret. Place all your 4 fingers on teh string (start with the E string) and then fret the index finger. all the rest of the fingers should now be about 2 mm above the string and even. If they are not, relax and put them there. Repeat with each finger, and then move up the strings to the A,D, and G.

    As you are getting to relax you hands, it may help, as well,, to play with a light touch. To find out just how much pressure is required to fret the note quietly, fret the note, say 5th fret A string (a D). Now, slowly release until you just get a buzz, then gently press until the unwanted sound just stops. You may find that the amount of pressure needed is less than you thought. A proper set up bass with a fairly low action and light to medium gauge strings also help.

    Finally, we experientially advantaged people have stiffer tissues than the 15 to 30 crowd. Do not neglect the stretching of the hands, wrists and forearms after your practice sessions.


    Good luck. It all takes time, (at least weeks if not months, or ......) to get your hands to behave.

    Brian

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •