Ring finger problem

Hello,

Wondered if anyone could help me.

I've been playing a good while, but mainly chords etc. and have recently tried improve my lead playing. However, my ring finger's third joint has a natural tendancy to bend towards the fretboard when playing any single note stuff. This was fine for a half barre, or maybe say an A-shape barre chord, but causes problems for single note runs. Is this normal or do I have to retrain it to be almost at right angles to the fretboard when playing?

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers.
J

Third being the one at the tip? Yeah, you'll have to get that bending the right way, or I think it's going to be hard to have any precision.

Originally Posted by: RazboThird being the one at the tip? Yeah, you'll have to get that bending the right way, or I think it's going to be hard to have any precision.

Yes the joint nearest the tip. It bends almost unnaturally the wrong way.

Thanks for the reply.

It could possibly be a weak finger muscle.. You might try some finger exercises..

Sounds like your not arching your fingers enough. That third knuckle should be bent at around a 45 degree angle. Make sure your thumb in planted in the middle of the back of the neck and your finger tips are whats hitting the notes, not the flesh like when you barre chords.

What's up Jonti?!

elklandercc made some solid points. Only thing I'd add is to make sure you consistently work on this and try not to get frustrated. If it feels unnatural for you now, don't worry. It'll be natural soon enough.

Originally Posted by: KwoteOnly thing I'd add is to make sure you consistently work on this and try not to get frustrated. If it feels unnatural for you now, don't worry. It'll be natural soon enough.

This is the truth. Again, you must remember that you are teaching your hands, mind and body something completely new. Through this, your hands are going to have to adjust and with time; all of your fingers will do what you want them to do.

Have patience my son and best of luck!

Originally Posted by: elklanderccSounds like your not arching your fingers enough. That third knuckle should be bent at around a 45 degree angle. Make sure your thumb in planted in the middle of the back of the neck and your finger tips are whats hitting the notes, not the flesh like when you barre chords.

Thanks for all your replies everybody.

The trouble is it hardly curls at all at the 3rd knuckle. Therefore I have to fret notes with my ring finger virtually at right angles to the fretboard. Doing this is creating way too much tension in my left hand - as well as being almost impossible on the high E string. Is this a common problem?

You are experiencing many common problems that we all endure in the beginning. The best thing honestly is to keep at it and your hands will adjust. However, don't over strain yourself. If you encounter a severe amount of tension in your left hand stop and wait until the dust has settled. Again, this is one of those situations where some one on one time with an instructor would really make a world of difference.

Originally Posted by: Jonti

Originally Posted by: elklanderccSounds like your not arching your fingers enough. That third knuckle should be bent at around a 45 degree angle. Make sure your thumb in planted in the middle of the back of the neck and your finger tips are whats hitting the notes, not the flesh like when you barre chords.

[br][br]Thanks for all your replies everybody.[br][br]The trouble is it hardly curls at all at the 3rd knuckle. Therefore I have to fret notes with my ring finger virtually at right angles to the fretboard. Doing this is creating way too much tension in my left hand - as well as being almost impossible on the high E string. Is this a common problem?

It's a problem for me as well. That PIP joint on the ring finger will hardly bend, even if I try to bend it with my other hand. I read something on the web about the innervation of the ring finger not being independent.

This should be Easter not Xmas

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