Help with cut off finger tip

rsmith4321 · #1 June 5th, 2006

I had an injury when I was a child where I lost the end of my first finger above the second knuckle on the left hand. I've played the piano for many years without a problem, but wanted to try out the guitar. I just can't seem to finger with the strange nail and stubby end of the finger. Is there any type of tip or something that I could put on the finger to make it a bit longer and have a better flatter end that could get between the strings. I imagine someone that had extremely stubby fingers could have a similar problem, is there anything that could help this. Thanks.

si16 · #2 June 5th, 2006

Black Sabbath's guitarist Tony Iommi lost several finger tips on his fretting hand just before the band started to become famous. I'm not exactly sure but I know he attached some kind of pads to the end of his fingers and managed to refine his technique. Try searching on the web for more info about him.

It can be done. Good luck.

krissovo · #3 June 5th, 2006

I am missing the end of my left ring finger, again ubove the 2nd nuckle. I had used a thimble type thing that bank clerks count money with but after time I got used to it without. I still struggle with a few cords, C was a killer to get used to but my hand is slowly starting to reach them

rsmith4321 · #4 June 5th, 2006

My problem is I can't seem to hit a sting without touching the other stings. As I was learning I needed to play a cord using my first finger on the 3rd sting, and I can't seem to not hit the 1st and 2nd string a bit, I just can't reach around enough. Is it possible that enough callus will build up that I can do it? Should I perhaps try a left hand guitar since my right hand is fine? I'm just wondering if I should keep trying or just give up, I can play the piano without a problem it could be worse. Where can you get one of those things the bank tellers use? Thanks for the help.

allthumbs · #5 June 5th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by krissovo

I am missing the end of my left ring finger, again ubove the 2nd nuckle. I had used a thimble type thing that bank clerks count money with but after time I got used to it without. I still struggle with a few cords, C was a killer to get used to but my hand is slowly starting to reach them

It shouldn't take long to be able to play any of the basic CAGED chords with the last 3 fingers. Anybody who had played bar chords for any length of time would find playing those open chords not too big a problem.
You don't need to play full bar chords either. Kirk rarely does so you can get along without the index with practice. If you can cover the 1 and 2 string with what's left of your index finger then you have the basics of a bar chord.
R.S. The same applies to you. It is also quite acceptable to change to lefty if you can get comfortable with it. Good luck.

8LU3 · #6 June 6th, 2006

i would sugest a thimble or something with a non-hard tip, so it doesnt sound all scratchy. but im not sure what you could put on the end to keep it from doing that...

jordan_c_!234 · #7 July 7th, 2006

What Tony Iommi did was downtune his guitar so it wouldn't hurt his fingers and get bottletops from shampoo bottles and put them on his fingers, he then covered the bottlecaps with leather.

John Burr · #8 July 7th, 2006

I would be willing to bet that a decent prosthetics technician could make you something that would work but it would be way less limiting to just switch to a lefty if you haven't become totally acclimated to the right handed guitar. It seems that you have to use both hands to play guitar anyway so if you are just beginning why not go with the lefty?

Used to be that left handed guitars were tough to find and more expensive but now they are ubiquitous. Lots of sites on the web have chord finders that will show you any chords on a left handed guitar so that shouldn't be a hassle either.

OTOH, stick a slide on that index finger and get the Fretboard Logic series of books. Learn to play all and only barre chords and learn to use that slide as a barre on the index. It would give a truly unique sound I bet but it would be hard to adjust to certain styles. The lefty is really the least limiting choice for you though I think. If you had been playing for years or even months it might be worth adjusting style enough to stay with a righty but as a beginner I would think your assets would be better focused on the left handed guitar. You have absolutely no disadvantage that way as even the remainder of you index finger will be able to reach a string to pick it.

I gotta tell you that it is really a cool thing that you aren't letting this stop you from giving guitar a try. I met a guy that has really limited mobility in his hands that plays a lot of cool songs using an Open G tuning, he plays a mean harmonica too. Makes me feel pretty lucky to not have any real limitations other my inherent lack of skill or talent!

BSR