Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post - Injured my finger

dh · June 7th, 2004, 11:41 AM

I sliced up my index finger a few years ago, but instead of using a saw I used a coffee mug. I was washing out my coffee mug @ work & it sliped into the sink, shattered & a big shard flew up & sliced through my index finger down to the bone.

What I learned (besides that maybe a dirty coffee mug is not the worst thing in the world)

1. As other people said, play slide. I worked on my slide chops in standard tuning (figured I have the time so why not -- it was a sugestion from a Warren H. interview) and now that is pretty much how I play slide...getting away from the common open tunings also forced me to not rely on the typical licks that you hear over & over.

2. Find a good occupational therapist who understands that you are a guitar player & what this means for your rehab work. There is a difference, I learned. You will have to work & exercise your finger back into shape.

3. If the OT does not give this stuff to you, go to a med supply place and get a wad of hand rehab putty (it's like silly putty but a bit less tacky & w./ less give to it), and when you can begin to move your finger, work w/ this stuff 5-6 times a day for about 10 minutes each time, squeezing it b/t your 1st 2 fingers & in your palm.

4. Pay attention to pain. When you start playing guitar again & your finger starts to hurt - STOP - & give it a rest.

June 7th, 2004, 11:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
dh Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phila 'burbs Posts: 196	Index Finger Blues I sliced up my index finger a few years ago, but instead of using a saw I used a coffee mug. I was washing out my coffee mug @ work & it sliped into the sink, shattered & a big shard flew up & sliced through my index finger down to the bone. What I learned (besides that maybe a dirty coffee mug is not the worst thing in the world) 1. As other people said, play slide. I worked on my slide chops in standard tuning (figured I have the time so why not -- it was a sugestion from a Warren H. interview) and now that is pretty much how I play slide...getting away from the common open tunings also forced me to not rely on the typical licks that you hear over & over. 2. Find a good occupational therapist who understands that you are a guitar player & what this means for your rehab work. There is a difference, I learned. You will have to work & exercise your finger back into shape. 3. If the OT does not give this stuff to you, go to a med supply place and get a wad of hand rehab putty (it's like silly putty but a bit less tacky & w./ less give to it), and when you can begin to move your finger, work w/ this stuff 5-6 times a day for about 10 minutes each time, squeezing it b/t your 1st 2 fingers & in your palm. 4. Pay attention to pain. When you start playing guitar again & your finger starts to hurt - STOP - & give it a rest.