Bassmidget209 Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Hey guys/girls, Bit of a weird one here. I've been having problems with the pinky of my fretting hand for several weeks now. On the outer edge (or the area I tend to fret with at full stretch) it is not extremely uncomfortable if I apply focussed pressure on it, for example when fretting. There's no obvious inflammation or swelling. It's a strange feeling, like there's a blister or bubble or something but it otherwise feels fine. If I'm not playing it feels absolutely fine, the only thing in real life it affects is my playing, It's really annoying! Also I do know I should be seeing a doctor rather than going on the internet, I was just hoping for a bit more insight into fellow players experience, has anyone else had this problem? Did anything help? Thanks in advance everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 I experienced the same (or similar) recently, could see no problem, until a very close up inspection with a magnifier and bright light showed up a tiny spec, which I think was a metal filing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 22 minutes ago, gary mac said: ... which I think was a metal filing. Another reason to play flats ... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Happy Jack said: Another reason to play flats ... I guess I should have explained that it was a metal splinter, picked up during a fret levelling job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmidget209 Posted September 14, 2019 Author Share Posted September 14, 2019 Ah brilliant, thanks for the advice. I'm an optometrist so I have magnifiers up the Ying Yang. Once I've dealt with the patients I'll have a look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 2 hours ago, Bassmidget209 said: Ah brilliant, thanks for the advice. I'm an optometrist so I have magnifiers up the Ying Yang. Once I've dealt with the patients I'll have a look! Hmm, you might want to wash them first then. 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 (edited) - Edited March 4, 2022 by Jus Lukin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 55 minutes ago, ezbass said: Hmm, you might want to wash them first then. 😂 And remove them from Ying Yang! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 47 minutes ago, Jus Lukin said: So, your Pinky ain't Perky, eh? ...but he can see Uranus from his ying yang! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 (edited) - Edited March 4, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 8 hours ago, Bassmidget209 said: it is not extremely uncomfortable if I apply focussed pressure on it Struggled with what you were asking actually as you used a double negative meaning it is extremely comfortable. 8 hours ago, Bassmidget209 said: I do know I should be seeing a doctor rather than going on the internet So... you're going against your better instincts. Oh well, given you're using a flawed medium, lets set to it... I suggest you bring it back to good technique and posture. Check you're sat or stood upright with a straight spine. A nice clean 'scratch your eyes out' left hand with the thumb mid-neck behind your second finger. Slow careful scales with just sufficient pressure (check out Gary Willis) and get used to the sensation in your pinky with very deliberate good technique and posture. Suggest you baseline the situation with that approach and if you still get problems, refrain from playing and go to the doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmidget209 Posted September 14, 2019 Author Share Posted September 14, 2019 3 hours ago, visog said: Struggled with what you were asking actually as you used a double negative meaning it is extremely comfortable. So... you're going against your better instincts. Oh well, given you're using a flawed medium, lets set to it... I suggest you bring it back to good technique and posture. Check you're sat or stood upright with a straight spine. A nice clean 'scratch your eyes out' left hand with the thumb mid-neck behind your second finger. Slow careful scales with just sufficient pressure (check out Gary Willis) and get used to the sensation in your pinky with very deliberate good technique and posture. Suggest you baseline the situation with that approach and if you still get problems, refrain from playing and go to the doctor. Yes thank you for pointing that out, didn't intend on a double negative! Clearly editing, as well as technique can improve here. I have started to look at technique. I've registered with Scott's bass lessons a while back. I had a guitar teacher back in the day who actually encouraged me to focus more on bass (insert joke here). Apart from the theory learned on guitar and some advice on bass fills I've never had much tutoring on the detail of bass. I had never noticed I played with flat fingers quite a lot, especially my pinky. I am working on technique but I would like to know what I have done to my finger. If only so I can avoid doing it to a more vital one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmidget209 Posted September 14, 2019 Author Share Posted September 14, 2019 Annoyingly I was so busy in work today I forgot to grab some mags to take home with me to investigate further. That will have to wait till Monday.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 I thought this was a continuation of the 'on stage nudity' post.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Paul S said: I thought this was a continuation of the 'on stage nudity' post.... With the OP’s monicker , he might not be that confident .....and with that in mind , assuming it’s not an ironic handle, small hands and 34inch scales can make finger stretching an issue. so maybe warm up stretches, a short scale bass, or a 5 string capo on the 5th fret anyway, look to make less strain on yourself Edited September 15, 2019 by lurksalot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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