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Questiion,, Amputated middle finger
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 6:19 am
by Jon Logan
I don't know where to put this but I have a question. Anyone know of any steel player who has managed to play missing the top joint of their middle finger ? Maybe using index and ring finger ? Just lost mine and wondering..... It will be some time before it heals good enough to try...
Thanks
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 6:25 am
by Nicholas Cox
Jerry Garcia was missing his middle finger and played pedal steel with picks on ring and index. He’s the only one I’m currently aware of. I’m sure switching to index will work fine but take some time to master.
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 6:35 am
by Joachim Kettner
Nicholas, didn't you mean the ring finger?
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 7:09 am
by Nicholas Cox
Joachim Kettner wrote:Nicholas, didn't you mean the ring finger?
Yes I meant switching to ring. Sorry.
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 7:35 am
by Fred Treece
It will take some retraining, but I don’t see why you couldn’t play using thumb/index/ring. Many players use thumb+3 fingers. In your case it would still be thumb+2, but with a twist. You might even discover some wider open voiced chords are easier to grip.
Sorry about the loss of your fingertip, just the same.
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 11:50 am
by Tucker Jackson
Really sorry to hear that, Jon.
If it's any consolation, there have been several times where I had a bad gash on one finger or the other, and I couldn't put a pick on it. It was shocking how quickly I was able to adjust to just using a thumb and one fingerpick (like a half hour to get comfortable) Played several gigs like that. It was surprising how easy it was to get used to picking that way.
I am, however, concerned about your ability to wage war in traffic without a middle finger. The ring finger can work there there, but makes it seem like you're a newbie to road rage. No respect!
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 11:56 am
by scott murray
Garcia made it work, he was a great 3-finger banjo picker too. best of luck to you Jon.
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 4:18 pm
by Don R Brown
We're all presuming you meant on your right hand (or should I say picking hand, in case you're a lefty). Or was it on your bar hand?
Posted: 23 Oct 2020 5:26 pm
by Bob Womack
Phil Keaggy plays fingerstyle missing the middle finger of his picking hand from the medial joint down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wpn6LVxX0s
Bob
Amputation
Posted: 24 Oct 2020 5:15 am
by Jon Logan
Thanks for all the thoughts and advice,,, Just take some time to adjust,,,,
Posted: 24 Oct 2020 8:54 am
by Darrell Criswell
I have seen everything, an amputee played steel at the show at Gulfport and I saw a blind man playing steel at the show at New Philadelphia.
Posted: 24 Oct 2020 5:06 pm
by Andy Jones
The steeler you saw at Gulfport is Will Stewart,a very smooth and steady player.
There was a blind steel player in my hometown,Meridian,MS.His name was Leroy White.He was very good.He passed away a few years ago.
Speaking of Gulfport,I assume the show in November has been canceled,as I haven't seen or heard anything about it.
Posted: 24 Oct 2020 7:04 pm
by Doug Beaumier
