https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Fri, 05 Jun 2026 02:04:19 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-373256 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:25:03 +0000
All good now, I'm glad to say. Spent today playing Santana solo's. Not quite like it never happened but better than I hoped.]]> Guitar Players Discussion SGinCYQX https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-373256 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-373255 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:14:19 +0000
Now it's frozen as if I have just one long bone. I "point" at everything now.

I'm an excellent flat-picker and I actually thought of suicide after everything healed...seeing as my playing feeds me and is a great part of what I am...no...it's all I am. Other than my guitar, I'm an uneducated bum. It was a really bad trip for me, and, truthfully, I thought of checking out. :(

But now I'm back to where I was. It's like it never happened. I just had to retrain my "second nature" picking. Not easy...

All in all...I feel deeply for all our military that come back home maimed...wayyyyyyyy worse than me or you...resulting from helping ignorant savages that want all of us dead.

Cat]]> Guitar Players Discussion Cat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-373255 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-373254 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:24:50 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion SGinCYQX https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-373254 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370964 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:20:40 +0000
I use the little finger instead of the ring finger most of the time. Only real problem is when I bend the other fingers, the ring finger still sticks up or out, which can be misinterpreted with a fast look. Anyway, patience and substitution works fine for me, and I play solo for myself, and in a couple of groups performing for nursing homes and retirement homes, and actually for just about anyone who'll invite us! Make it sound good to yourself and it's more fun anyway. Cheers,]]> Guitar Players Discussion dahni https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370964 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370726 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:25:28 +0000
There's only one major problem with learning anything and that's to lose your motivation. Almost every other difficulty can be overcome or compensated for in some way.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370726 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370722 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:13:26 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion tinsmith https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370722 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370719 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:47:37 +0000 Tony Iomi is another guitar player who played his whole career with a damaged fretting hand.
He had to create his own playing style, and had to build some prosthetic "thimbles" to fret without pain, but he's done it.]]> Guitar Players Discussion kent_eh https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370719 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370714 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:21:14 +0000
I was totally freaked out about not being able to use the finger but I have just started to play and although I don't have a fullr ange of motion (and may never have it) I can do most things I could do before I broke it.

So I am going to persist and modify my playing if needed.

I would guess like Jason said if you are highly motivated you'll find a way to play with your limitation.]]> Guitar Players Discussion cnev https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370714 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370701 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:17:10 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370701 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370688 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:42:44 +0000 I agree with Blue Jay, It can be done. And a good ear is a good start. You should probably consider trying slide guitar too. With a slide on your ring finger you would bypass your injury and If you like blues (of course, lots of genres can be played using a slide) that could be a great thing for you. But do not give up on conventional fretting either; players do seem to get around their mecahnical injuries. In fact, just learn some chord fingerings or scales and try it out -see if there is a way to make it work.

So the prognosis is bright, considering your musical horizon and your good ear.]]> Guitar Players Discussion MarcMM https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learn-guitar-with-injured-fret-hand-ring-finger/#post-370688