i need help!!!!!!!!!!!

every time i play guitar and i really get into it my f**king pinky pops and can i make make this damn popping go away ??? give me execises to get my pinky muscle to get stronger anything i need help if you guys can do that it would really great thanks alot :-)

The "popping" you're referring to is probably the knuckle closest to the tip of your finger. I have had this "pop" sound before. You might try cracking you pinky knukles before you play.

i do that but my pinky is still popping it locks and then pops its pissing me off too i really need help with this my other fingers are fine just my pinky it sucks if you can give me some more advice or something to help me i would like that :-)

Try to learn some songs that are played with the pinky. I suggest "Master of Puppets" by Metallica. That's a good song for exercizing your fingers.

i can play that whole album its just the yngwie mamlsteen **** that gets me any other suggestions ????? thanks

I'm not a doctor; but does the 'cracking sound' sometimes feel like your pinky is going to break or becomes momentarily painful when this happens? My 'pops' on occasion; and somtimes it feels like the knuckle/joint 'snapped.' Or if I did the lick again, it feels like my pinky is going to break. When this happens, I crack the joint by holding my pinky, and roll it from side to side. This will get the "kink' out of it. I've noticed that this happens when I play a fast run and suddeningly stop and place a quick vibrato (or hammer) on the lick with my pinky. I've also noticed that if I change the angle of my left hand a little bit(in relationship to the strings/frets)it helps keep this from happening.

I would recommend assessing the lick(s) your doing when this happens. It might be the position that your left hand is in, placing a little extra pressure on the pinky. You also might be anchoring your pinky while performing a particular lick, and actually "cracking the pinky" when you execute the lick. For example: Try placing your pinky on a hard surface (like your point it down at the surface). Put some pressure on it, and pivit it side-to-side. If it cracks or feels like it's going to, the vibrato and extra pressure might be causing this. Try different movements with your pinky when doing this and see if you can isolate the causation.

In regards to the one gentelman's suggestion, I don't think strengthening the pinky muscles will help (especially if you can play tunes like Master Puppet.)This sounds more like an orthopedic issue (joints and bones). Specifically, look at the pinky joints (or the knee for that matter)and you will notice that there are no muscles on the sides or tops of these joints. The muscles effect the movement of the joints; but not the actual mechanics of them. This function is assigned to tendons, ligaments and the mechanics of the actual joint -- be it knee, ankle or fingers. Simply put, you can strengthen the thighs and calves from here unto eternity, and still have weak, poppy knees that give out on you when you walk or climb stairs.

I'm not suggesting that you have any orthopedic problems with your pinky, I just wanted to illustrate a point.

I think if you can isolate the movement (e.g., lick or fingering) your doing when this happens, make some adjustments, your problem will subside. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in the pinky, however, you may want to have it looked at by a professional.

thanks for the advice bro i appreciate it :-) oh ya you sound like a doctor to me the bones and joints etc... lol jk

You're welcome. I'm a musician who happens to have a day job as a rehab counselor. I do a lot of work with physicians, orthopedic specilaists, physical therapist and occupational therapist. As a result, I know just enough about orthopedics to make me dangerous. I think you'll get that "cracking" under control. If you have specific questions, let me know, and I'll ask a specialist about it. Keep on picking!

stop being so smart

cool

hey bro i'm stil having trouble with my freakin pinky it still pops when i play fast solos its pops and locks for a sec or two but i'm getting really pissed and i hate my pinky. can you help me out bro on this ????? thanks

You could become a member of the yakuza - that'd resolve the issue all together :) j/k

I'll ask a physical therapist and see what I can find out. Give me a couple days.

cool thanks :-)