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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Chordie's Chat Corner → First knuckle of ring finger on fret hand (left) does not bend enough.
I've wanted to ask this question for some time. Does anyone else have this problem? my first knuckle does not bend sharp enough to get on the tip of the finger pad.
I have to be very careful when playing a g chord for example, because of this problem the pad of my finger will sometimes mute the a string. I have noticed that some people can bend that knuckle to 90 degrees. Boy, i wish i could. b
I've got the opposite problem. I can't bridge strings with mine, which is why the B chord is evil.
Try flexibility exercises over time and see if they help. Use your thumb to push down on the fingertip and bend it more for five seconds at a time eight or ten times a day. After a couple of months, see if you haven't increased some strength and dexterity.
- Zurf
How's your fretting hand positioned on the neck? Try fretting the g chord and then rotating your wrist down toward the bottom of the fretboard getting from behind it... This will also move your thumb closer to the center of the neck in back. This gives your fingers a much better approach to the fretboard. Mine doesn't bend much there either...
@bobwill, my problem is nearly like yours excepting, I actually have no joint on that finger. I severed my finger at that joint 40+ years ago and when reattached there was no joint to work with, thus I have very little to no flexibility in that section of my finger. I only started learning to play about two years ago and have had great difficulty in forming several chords, B and F being two of them. I keep plugging away and scratch them out the best I can.
I agree with Zurf. Stretching should help. To add to Pix's idea, try to eliminate most of the space between the high e side of the neck and your palm. This gives you more reach to the top side of the neck.
This is one of the reasons I had to give up on my last student. She has a minor disability (not sure what it is) and I ran out of ways to help her. She has short fingers also. That made it really difficult. After five months I just couldn't tell her the same thing over and over anymore.
Thanks everone, I started about a month ago with Zurfs' suggestion, havent noticed any improvement yet but, its early. As I've heard other people say "teaching yourself, your teacher knows no more than you"
We start learning chords by poor neck position to better see our finger placement. I've got to relearn that whole process, I know now that you can't be looking at the fret board all the time. Oh well, if it was easy everyone would play Guitar.
I know i'm a long way from good but, I can still play a pretty darn good Country or Folk song. Or so my friends say. Smile, b
I have this condition also not only that my fingers cramp up and contort what helps is some arthritic pain and musle relaxer I use Icy Hot it smells like menthol but it works I think the best thing is to speak with a pharmacy there are over the counter medications and creams that could offer relief but with me its most likey old farts desease 
Russell, I'm familar with that desease too. b
You got it bad Russell. Me too.
Bob, I tell my students not to look, but if you have to then lean over the guitar instead of tilting the guitar back to see the fret board. that way the guitar will already be in the correct position when you don't need to look anymore.
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Chordie's Chat Corner → First knuckle of ring finger on fret hand (left) does not bend enough.
