Questiion,, Amputated middle finger

Jon Logan · Post by **Jon Logan** » 23 Oct 2020 6:19 am

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

Nicholas Cox · Post by **Nicholas Cox** » 23 Oct 2020 6:25 am

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.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 23 Oct 2020 6:35 am

Nicholas, didn't you mean the ring finger?

Nicholas Cox · Post by **Nicholas Cox** » 23 Oct 2020 7:09 am

Joachim Kettner wrote:Nicholas, didn't you mean the ring finger?

Yes I meant switching to ring. Sorry.

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 23 Oct 2020 7:35 am

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.

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 23 Oct 2020 11:50 am

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!

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 23 Oct 2020 11:56 am

Garcia made it work, he was a great 3-finger banjo picker too. best of luck to you Jon.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 23 Oct 2020 4:18 pm

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?

Bob Womack · Post by **Bob Womack** » 23 Oct 2020 5:26 pm

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

Jon Logan · Post by **Jon Logan** » 24 Oct 2020 5:15 am

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice,,, Just take some time to adjust,,,,

Darrell Criswell · Post by **Darrell Criswell** » 24 Oct 2020 8:54 am

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.

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 24 Oct 2020 5:06 pm

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.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 24 Oct 2020 7:04 pm

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Questiion,, Amputated middle finger

Questiion,, Amputated middle finger

Amputation