Anyone play with a prosthetic finger?

[Dirtybluegene]

Hi everyone.
Had a little accident last week that resulted in the amputation of the tip of my middle finger on my fretting hand.
As I recover, I'm running through in my mind all the things I play using this finger, and it's really getting me down.
It looks like there are some prosthetic options, but I'm not sure how playing guitar would go without having feeling in the fingertip.
Just wondering if anyone else has been through this and if it's possible, or will I just have to Django it and start adapting.
Thanks!

 

[Frodebro]

Tony Iommi lost the tips of two of his fretting fingers when he was seventeen and adjusted well enough to become the father of heavy metal. I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune, but don't let it get you down. It sure didn't slow Iommi down any!

 

[Dirtybluegene]

Tony Iommi lost the tips of two of his fretting fingers when he was seventeen and adjusted well enough to become the father of heavy metal. I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune, but don't let it get you down. It sure didn't slow Iommi down any!

Oh yeah, I forgot about him! Good inspiration. Thanks!

 

[willietheweirdo]

Now you have a mojo hand!

You might not sound better on recordings but you'll sure look cooler playing it.

Good luck!

 

[Sparky2]

I don't play with prosthetic fingers, but rather arthritic fingers.

We're doing fine here.

 

[jhundt]

I wonder about this too... my very close friend who I have known and played music with for 50 years is just about to have all of his fingertips amputated. He is so guitar crazy, of course this is very distressing. His plastic surgeon assures him that she will give him fingers that will be able to play again.

 

[Dirtybluegene]

I wonder about this too... my very close friend who I have known and played music with for 50 years is just about to have all of his fingertips amputated. He is so guitar crazy, of course this is very distressing. His plastic surgeon assures him that she will give him fingers that will be able to play again.

Man, that's very distressing. All the best to him.

 

[Highway 49]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Mike Stern talks about how he managed to find a way to play after an accident - different situation to yours but I guess shows that maybe sometimes a way can be found around these things - wishing you the best of luck…

 

[CupofJoe]

I have an arthritic pinky (won’t open all the way) that I use like Django did, I just throw it on the fretboard to block strings … works great!/

 

[Mjark]

Oh! So sorry to hear this. You’ll find a way to get back on track.

 

[Bortyeast]

Jerry Garcia seemed to do pretty well, too.

Others, as well. You'll be in good company. Different for sure, but you'll be OK.

 

[Telekat 100]

Very sorry to hear about your accident. I have no knowledge regarding your question but I'd offer my two bit wisdom and say, let your finger heal and then try to play mostly using 1-3-4 fingers. I'd think a prosthetic tip might be more awkward than helpful.

Depending how it heals you may still get some usefulness out of finger 2.

If you... or any of us on the forum... pick up their guitars and try to play not using the middle finger, it can actually work. It's an impediment for certain. But it works.

I guess I'd also add, there are a lot of players who don't use their pinky. I know this is different, but that's still a sort of playing with three fingers and a thumb.

 

[ravindave_3600]

Hi everyone.
Had a little accident last week that resulted in the amputation of the tip of my middle finger on my fretting hand.
As I recover, I'm running through in my mind all the things I play using this finger, and it's really getting me down.
It looks like there are some prosthetic options, but I'm not sure how playing guitar would go without having feeling in the fingertip.
Just wondering if anyone else has been through this and if it's possible, or will I just have to Django it and start adapting.
Thanks!

It's been about a month. How are things going for you?

 

[24 track]

I had a teacher with the first digit on his middle finger of his chording hand . I could tell he worked hard to re gain his abilities , and he succeeded. he is a fine player with great timing.

you can guarantee it will not be easy , but you may have to adapt your playing to accommodate .
I wish all the energy to be able to find a solution for your self .
I lost all the feeling in my right hand due to nerve damage from a neck injury in my youth after surgery I am glad I got back as much as I did, I did loose my speed and agility but I still play and write. I did change my style and now can finger pick like a mad bugger now ,LOL

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

I’ve been told I sound like I have prosthetic ears…

 

[Dirtybluegene]

It's been about a month. How are things going for you?

Hi. Thanks for asking. Had some issues with the healing process- a secondary infection and necrotic skin, so a bit of a delay with the healing. I did play some slide today, but it's still awkward with the dressing on the other finger. I am feeling better about my prospects after reading some of these posts.

 

[bsman]

With all this talk about lost digits I can't get this out of my head...

Anyway - hope it heals quickly and whatever method you use to reaccommodate works well for you.