Question:
Can I Play Guitar If I'm Double Jointed?
anonymous
2007-09-09 09:04:46 UTC
I tried to start playing guitar and it looked like fun, but then I realized I couldn't do chords!!

I'm double jointed, so when I try to put my fingers on different frets, my hand craps out then all my fingers go straight.

My pinky collapses if I stretch it too far.

So am I screwed and can't play guitar at all?
Sixteen answers:
chessmaster1018
2007-09-09 16:48:02 UTC
This to me sounds like something we all go through the first couple of times we try to play guitar, I know my little finger always collapsed and sometimes my index only the first joint would bend, get an exercise book for playing single notes and do them daily and most importantly SLOWLY and I bet you'll see a difference in a couple of weeks. Try this take your first finger on the first string first fret play that and then the second finger on the second fret etc to the fourth, then move up to the second string and do the same thing. As your playing 1-4 leave your fingers on the frets. Slowly is the most important thing in this exercise, it trains your muscles to respond correctly, you'll see that I'm right after a couple of weeks, good luck to you, bye !!!!!.....oh and keep that thumb in the middle of the neck of your guitar, it's awkward at first but in the end you'll be able to make complicated chords a lot easier !!!!!!!!!!
?
2016-09-28 09:09:56 UTC
Double Jointed Fingers
anonymous
2016-12-25 06:22:45 UTC
1
livemoreamply
2007-09-09 10:20:37 UTC
You may become a better player BECAUSE you're double jointed. There are many great players that had something going for them. Johnny Smith had the largest hands of perhaps any guitar player. As a result, he could cover much more of the fretboard in a single chord than everyone else. This allowed him to play things that others haven't been able to duplicate.



Continue to practice and find a teacher to guide you through the process of developing your skills. A teacher is essential.
anonymous
2007-09-09 09:14:13 UTC
Yes, but it'll take some practice. I'm also double-jointed, and play piano and some guitar.



I do warmups before playing, including stretching the fingers forward and back, knuckle by knuckle; the main problem with double-jointedness is the tendons can be short and inflexible.
anonymous
2007-09-09 09:14:43 UTC
You can do it. Playing guitar isn't all about playing chords. If you bother to learn a few scales, you will find that you have added dexterity because of your double-jointedness.

I play guitar myself. It isn't something that you can just do overnight. It takes practice.

It sounds like you are trying to play a guitar with a very wide fretboard, like an acoustic six-string. Get yourself an electric so you don't have to put so much pressure on the fretboard to make it sound good. Also, learn about "power chords".

Email me at

martianparty@yahoo.com

It's OK. I played for years without playing well because I knew scales. Dont give up so easy.

Practice.......
anonymous
2016-04-10 19:48:41 UTC
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You will always be double jointed. You can keep the fingers from collapsing on the finger board by developing the muscles in the fingers. You can do the exercises best on a rubber ball, but anything including solid object. Press the tips of the fingers into the ball just hard enough that the finger does not collapse. Do this and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat at least 5 times. take a rest and do it again. Do it as many times a day as possible. You will develop the muscle and finger will not collapse. Building muscle takes time, but you should see results soon .
anonymous
2007-09-09 09:09:35 UTC
Just have to practice. Also, you might try playing slide guitar, or maybe even a dobro. I would think that with enough practice, being double jointed would be so much more the asset rather than the handicap. Keep on strumming.
Tattoodmary
2007-09-09 09:08:24 UTC
Im also double jointed in all my fingers and especially my pinky finger. But ive played bass and guitar before without problem. I usually crack my knuckles a few times. then engage my double jointed fingers and bend them out a few times. That usually loosens me up enough to play for a few hours. with cracking and repeating inbetween songs.
anonymous
2007-09-09 11:20:27 UTC
I am somewhat double jointed. I can play.



Sometimes you just have to have a little imagination, guidance, and patience with what you are doing.
sox5905
2007-09-09 09:08:15 UTC
Anything is possible!!!! I play and i am double jointed.
(allison)
2007-09-09 12:40:22 UTC
im double jouinted. im 12 yrs old. i have been playing guitar since i was 8. so far the hardest chord i have came to was the F chord. You have to strech ur pointer finger all the way across the first fret, second finger on 3rd string(2nd fret)

3rd finger on 5 string (3rd fret)

4th finger on 4th string (3rd fret)



its so hard! i still have some problams but dont give up!
WWJD?
2007-09-09 09:09:17 UTC
no u justhave to train urself to do chords, even people with normal joints have trouble doing chrods and odd positioning, its normal to be having trouble, but ur just in a different situation then others.
anonymous
2007-09-09 09:08:25 UTC
what the hell exactly is double jointed? i have heard some people say its a myth, sorry to answer a question with a question, but.....
Jocy:)
2007-09-09 09:07:54 UTC
keep trying maybe your fingers will get used to it and maybe youll get better
anonymous
2007-09-09 09:08:14 UTC
no just go to the doc. and he will help u


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