My finger won't bend

lincolnblue

I've been playing the guitar for 29 years now but there's one thing I can't do that I wish I could.

My ring finger on my left hand doesn't bend properly at the top knuckle. For example, if I play D on the 5th fret, I will bar the 5th and then whereas most people would use their ring finger to bar the D,G,B strings, I can't. I have to just use my ring and little finger to play the G and B only.

Assuming that makes sense (?) is there any technique/exercise I can do to make that finger work as it should?

BigLicks67

Use the 1st finger to barre at the fifth, then the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers to make up the chord

lincolnblue

I've tried that but find it really uncomfortable.I get by fine but just wish I could use my little finger as I'd like

guitarfishbay

Have you spoken to a physio who specialises in hand issues?

Grunfeld

@lincolnblue  ; If I've understood your description correctly then I have the same problem* -- and for that A shape barre chord I barre with the first finger and use the pad of the distal phalanx of my small finger to barre the D,G,B strings.  There's just not enough extension at the DIP joint of my ring finger to do what you're trying to do, it's anatomical and it ain't ever gonna happen with some people.

The other thing is that when it comes to playing lead I've got another anatomical variation which often makes it awkward to use my small finger.  So... I just use the other three!  Lots of players do this.  Some players will naturally prefer to use their small finger but if it feels really awkward and your hand won't allow it, like your small finger doesn't feel like it can abduct (stretch) out too far then it probably isn't gonna happen.

and @guitarfishbay , coincidentally I'm a physio and I have worked in a hand unit 

musteatbrain

Sounds weird but have you tried adjusting your elbow position?

ToneControl

for some people, the 3rd finger will not bend back at the angle needed

I am the same, and assume it is a physical limitation, that a physio cannot address

My 4th finger can do it, but to be honest I tend to play chord fragments now on electric, and more complex chord shapes for acoustic ingerstyle

rlw

ToneControl said:

for some people, the 3rd finger will not bend back at the angle needed

I am the same, and assume it is a physical limitation, that a physio cannot address

My 4th finger can do it, but to be honest I tend to play chord fragments now on electric, and more complex chord shapes for acoustic ingerstyle

I am the same - third finger will only bend back a fraction.

Blueingreen

lincolnblue said:

I've been playing the guitar for 29 years now but there's one thing I can't do that I wish I could.

My ring finger on my left hand doesn't bend properly at the top knuckle. For example, if I play D on the 5th fret, I will bar the 5th and then whereas most people would use their ring finger to bar the D,G,B strings, I can't. I have to just use my ring and little finger to play the G and B only.

Assuming that makes sense (?) is there any technique/exercise I can do to make that finger work as it should?

I'd be extremely wary of forcing your finger to do that, you could be storing up problems for the future.

I can fret a D chord in that way but have problems with the "rolling" technique for fretting adjacent strings on the same fret. Nevertheless I persisted with the rolling technique because most teachers consider it the correct method. I now have arthritis problems in my index finger.  Possibly unconnected, but my doctor thinks it's a wear and tear issue and I've since discovered that a minority of teachers (Andrew Green for example) discourage the rolling method for that reason.

I've been working, with partial success, on fingering adjacent strings on the same fret with different fingers, although it can lead to some pretty awkward fingering (especially if you have to finger 3 or 4 notes on the same fret in a row).

Rayza1983

Watch these you should be able to sort it. Remember if you don't try you never will so don't attempt it 3 times and give up persist. Remember when you couldn't fret well it's similar. Find which method is best for you even if you can't do it for a few weeks. Make it your goal to achieve it so practice them everyday for 20min

ToneControl

if your joint won't bend back, there's no changing that without damaging the joint