I cut the tip of my left ring finger half off

[Marty73]

Wow! Sorry to hear about what happen! Ouch! Only advice I can offer is, it’s going to take time. It will get there… don’t push it.😖🧙‍♂️😎

[Linda G]

Ok, thanks

[Loraine]

Omg, how horrible Linda! Glad it’s healing, but it must have been awfully deep if you still can’t put pressure on it. I agree with @Marty69 just patience and time. You could try scales skipping that finger.

[Linda G]

Oh, I like the idea of scales that would work, thanks! (yes it was a deep cut, my knife was maybe too sharp)

[SoCal_Ian]

Knives can’t be too sharp. Fingers can be too cut-able (is that even a word?) though.

Sorry to hear of the damage. Glad it’s only temporary and always good to remember these things could have been a lot worse.

Might I suggest some Django Reinhardt? 😜 https://www.openculture.com/2015/07/how-django-reinhardt-after-losing-two-fingers-developed-an-innovative-style.html

[Linda G]

I love Django, and had no idea, thank you. Very inspiring

[jumpinjeff]

Hi @[email protected] , sorry to hear about your finger. Where are you in your guitar journey. Lots can still be done without the ring finger but recommendations greatly depend on where you are in your journey. Hope it heals fast without too much discomfort!

[Linda G]

Thanks Jjeff, I am a beginner in this program. I started in October and finished the 30 day challenge. Before that I am mostly self taught, so I know all the major cords and that’s about it.

[jumpinjeff]

Very nice, Have you introduce yourself to the concept of scales yet? And if no yeah! with no ring finger to use, the Am/ Cmaj pentatonic scale would be an excellent place to start. The open position scale allows you to utilize the open notes while engaging your index finger and middle fingers exclusively. Also if you are working on songs you can play any GCD chord song by using your index and middle fingers for the top half of the G chord (triad meaning three notes) drop down a set of strings and you have the top half of C chord (triad). To make the D chord bar the three highest pitch strings (GBE strings) with your index of fret 2 and put your middle on the B string fret 3. Lemme know if that makes sense to you. Best of all your ring finger gets to rest.

[Linda G]

Thank you so much, this is very helpful! I just didn’t know what to do and this is a great direction and challenge. Really appreciate the help

🙂

[jumpinjeff]

@[email protected] , hopefully you caught today’s improve lesson? I you look, the first six string ascent does not use the ring finger at all…really good news right. Tony goes up the fretboard to do the second part but you could go down the fretboard and utilize the open strings and not need your ring finger at all. The C pentatonic utilizing open strings is super friendly to Index and Middle finger execution.

[Carol-3M-Stillhand]

Oooh sorry about your fretting finger fruckas, @Linda G!! I hope you heal up quick!!

One thing to consider while you have one fretless finger, is to try some open tunings out. This way you can still give your picking hand a nice workout and with open tuning you have much less fretting (if any) needed at all.

Feel better soon!!

[Linda G]

thanks Carol. (I’ll Google open tunings)

[Cadgirl]

@Linda G, STOP COOKING, stop immediately !! But, since you already did hurt yourself… I can only suggest to give your finger a bit of a rest. It’s going to take a while to get that finger healed up to use properly. Do you think you could take a little time off from fretting and learn a little slide guitar? That way you are still going to be using your picking hand and you’ll still be using your ear to sound songs out. By the way….. Who is cooking for Christmas? 🙂

[Linda G]

hahaha, I like your style. If only life would pause for a minute. I love your slide guitar suggestion thank you.

Maybe I should ask my guests who will cook for Christmas… hahaha (maybe not)

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  Linda G.