I have been attempting to pick up mandolin for the past couple weeks, but I am limited somewhat, as I lost the use of my left pinky due to an accident several years ago. I still have the finger but have a severed tendon and nerve damage, so it just kind of hangs out there. I can move it a little, just from muscles, but cannot apply any pressure, and not much sensation. Any advice on technique or alternatives? I guess practicing using other fingers to make the “reach” up to the 7th or 9th fret, (I’m still playing G Maj scale now) but in some cases like closed chords I’m not sure what to do other than mute the open string. I’ll still plug away at the simpler stuff. Thanks in advance.
Advice for Three Fingers
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This may not help in your case but just letting you know…
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Howdy @VanP!
I know it’s frustrating, but I have a story for you. One of my best friends (all the cabin campers will know him) is Wild Bill Dorsey who lives in the Idaho mountains. He lost his left index in an ATV accident and has learned to play pretty doggone well with the other 3 fingers. If I had to choose any of the fingers to “lose” it would be the pinky. You’re gonna have to get good and shifting quick, which you can do, and don’t worry about the chords. There are lots of options to play chords that don’t require the pinky.
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I have an old and dear friend who is a mandolin player and lost 1/2 his index finger on the left hand.
He had to re-learn some but can manage most of the old Grisman Quintet (Marshall & Anger) stuff quite well.
Bob would agree with Ben: the chords came much easier for him.
He’s actually a decent blues guitar player also.
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Agreed!!! It is easy for us to say because we have use of our pinkies, but mine is just along for the ride most of the time anyway. I encourage you to read about Django Reinhardt. He lost use of his left ring and pinky and still made it to the top of the heap of guitar players of his time.
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