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Ring finger not cooperating
I’m an old(er) person and new player and still in 30 day challenge. I do not have small hands but my fingers just don’t stretch out very well – i.e. If my index finger is on 2nd fret, my ring finger can barely get to the 4th fret and most likely get buzzing because of where it lands. As I watch Tony do the Blues Boogie, he does not have to move his fretting hand but in order to play, I have to slide my hand back and forth. I found his Stretching course and have been doing that every day but not seeing much result. Anyone else dealing with this and and have you found anything else to help improve the finger flexibility?
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5 Replies
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Yes, my fingers don’t dare stretch as far as Tony’s do. I just go ahead and move my hand down to the 4th fret and then move my hand back up when I need to go to the 1st fret. It’ll be 2 years for me come May , and I am a slow learner.
I’d like to think of myself as ‘mature’ and not ‘old’. I retired from teaching last year so I’m ‘mature.’ LOL
Keep playing and it’ll become more comfortable. Tony talks about ‘muscle memory.’ But my brain and muscles don’t always communicate. LOL
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Hi @StickyFingers , I have found that the manner in which I stretch is as important as the given stretch exercise itself. This is especially true when it comes to fingers. Stretch slowly and stretch for the release not to feel the stretch. Think of silly putty. Slow and you will stretch more than you thought; fast and you will get a lack luster result. Be patient, getting those fingers limber is not an overnight, over week, or even over month thing. I heard Micheal Watts talk about stretching his fingers and he said it has taken him his whole life to get his fingers to do the weird things he wants them to do.
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@stickyfingers You are not alone with regard to finger stretching and reaching frets easily. Tony has spider fingers and has been playing a long time. To most of us, it is not possible to imitate what Tony can do so easily. I have to move my hand to reach frets all the time. I will say that with stretching and with lots of practice it does get better, albeit slowly. Hang in there, and keep up on the stretching and practicing.
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I’m older as well, and a beginner of a year and a half. I was having the same issues. Just keep at it, and the improvement will come. Keep doing the stretches, and work on your chromatic scales. You will look back in six months and be amazed how much you have improved.
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Thanks – encouraging to hear. Much appreciated.
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