Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Flying Fretting Fingers

#1

I have a problem with “fly away fretting fingers”, particularly with pinky and index when attempting slides.
I noted a previous post some time back suggesting 2 feasible options. One is to refer to a video that Ben did about the subject and the other stated that, if the flying fingers do not in any way create problems during playing, and are strictly “aesthetic” in nature, to not worry about it.
My concern here is that, as a beginner, I do not want to develop any bad habits that I’ll regret further down the line and will be ten times harder to correct.
As an ol’ timer beginner, I rely more on physical assistance devices/suggestions for corrective action more so than deliberate mental attention.
As such, does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, etc. on how to remedy fly away fingers with minds of their own ???

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#2

Can you post a video of your fingers? Depending on what’s happening, there can be several approaches. Thanks!

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#3

Thanks for your reply and personal email.
Looks like I’m the only one with this problem based on the reply results !!!
Wow …
1 out of 48 . . . (if I were a MLB pitcher, I’d be sent back to the minors with that record )
Thanks again Ben.

#4

You are not alone. :+1: I have flying pinky/finger independence weakness. I worked on it for a while and perhaps made some progress, but it is still there. I didn’t have any suggestions for you.

#5

Not so, I used to have a flying middle finger on my picking hand, and a lazy pinky on my fretting hand but after studying @BanjoBen right hand and working with Alan Munde Bluegrass Banjo Workout DVD I fixed both issues. Let me just add I didn’t fix the problem overnight and it was a major challenge to overcome. But I did it!

#6

Thanks so much Archie for the helpful info. I ordered the DVD as well and hopefully I’ll get the same benefits.
I also devised a DYI gadget modified from a cheapo flexible finger stretcher. I simply cut off the thumb, middle, and index rings. It’s still very flexible but does keep dem fingrz where dey b-long !!! Those + Ben’s advice should pretty well keep me in the right direction.
Thanks again Archie. I appreciate it.

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#7

Thanks for replying Mike. Guess it’s just another one of those things that, with a lot of time/experience will eventually disappear. But we keep on pickin’ anyhow.
Thanks again.

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#8

It seems like these type of things can get better over time with playing, but for me, it takes consistent effort to make a difference.