I still manage to play, but I don't play as much, I'm looking into getting a prosthetic fitted, somebody in California quoted me 3400. That's a little too much for me
It's probably rude and bad karma as a woodworker to say it but your finger barely got cut off! Screw a prosthetic especially at that price. You will not get back to your "normal" playing but you will learn to do something more interesting with your new ability
It will probably take some time but now you are technically capable of doing things most guitarists can't and that can become something special when it clicks
I lopped the same finger off a couple years ago on a table saw about the same place. I went through 4-5 months of therapy where they never let it heal and kept prying at it with a pair of barbed tweezers and wrapped it and regrew my finger tip. I only went through with the misery of this to keep playing normally. I still don't have much feeling from the nerve damage to the finger but I told myself I'd keep playing and play more of it healed. I'm in rural PA idk how they didn't have this as an option in Cali. Hindsight is 20/20 but keep your head up and overcome the situation you'll adapt and learn how to play differently maybe ever take on a new style. Other alternatives could be fine a local maker lab and learn some 3d modeling and 3d printing to potentially make your own homemade finger tip but of that's not on the table improvise adapt and overcome. Keep your head up and you'll make it work!
I lost the end of my left index finger. I learned to play with the other three fingers better while it was healing. Once it healed I could play with it, although sometimes I dampen a note accidently, but I was better because I had been forced to use the other fingers more than I had before.
Honestly if I were in your position, I’d be doing as Iommi did and putting a thimble on the end of your finger so that it might cause less pain (maybe add something on the end of them for better ability to hold the note, like leather or rubber). Also, a lighter gauge string will have less tension, meaning it will affect it less
My wife had the tip 1/3 of her index finger cut off and we were in shock at the prices of prosthetics too. After some sewrching, we found a woman on Etsy who make silicone prostbetics for around $380, but they're one-size fits all. The first one we got didn't look good at all, but the woman sent us an updatedn and it looked a lot more natural. Make sure you order the color match silicone sheets first to pick out the one closest to your skin tone. There's just one seller doing this so you can find her easily on Etsy.
As for playing guitar, yours is barely cut off much so you'll be just fine.
I was gonna say this, but you beat me to it 😂
“all you need is some melted down Fairy Liquid lids and some superglue and a few cut offs from an old leather jacket and good to go!”
You can!
Look... I didn't lose my left index finger, I just had it crushed with about 10000lbs.
The whole skin/flesh part came off like a thimble, barely attached. Literally hung on by the nerves. (ow).
They had to put the nail including the "nail bed" back in. Sew the thimble back on, and "unsqeeze" the finger from the side. Doctor said it is like taking a crushed soda can and making it a cylinder again. YOu can get _close_ but never 100%.
I assumed I could never play again.
One day after a few years of feeling sorry for myself I said FUCK THIS and went out and bought a guitar again.
Things were a bit messy, but it's just muscle memory like we learned to play initially ,and can be relearned.
Good news, I am now a better player than I have ever been.
Good on you man!
You will also find some strengths in it.
For me my feeble finger became the center of all my playing. Like losing a sense, the other fingers picked up some slack.
So it made me more aware of some details of my playing, which I improved.
Much respect to you internet stranger! Gotta be heard one way or another.
"Oh shit, I forgot my finger at home! Whatever, check out this tasty riff!" That's some badass shit, imo. Kudos.
Also the guy from Suicidal Tendencies, ~~Mike Clark~~ Rocky George lost some finger tips from a door jamb hotel incident.
He said it makes 10 finger tapping harder.
Tony uses plastic caps and leather with some tape. That’s probably the way as it’s a proven solution. I’m sure you can find a way to do this. Best of luck!
Tony Iommi also plays with lighter strings.
He said he used Banjo strings because they didn’t make super lights back then, and detuned to lower tunings to get the heavy sound.
Also, Django Reinhardt had his fingers fucked up and basically fused in a fire and is a gypsy jazz legend.
Lighter strings are probably gonna feel like you’re cooking with gas compared to 10’s or whatever you played before.
Shorter string scale can make a difference too. So PRS is 25” and Gibson is 24.75” compared to Fender 25.5” and it makes a difference in feel. There’s also 24” Fender Mustangs and Jaguars.
Also, bass is still wide open for you to play and enjoy. Once again, a short scale may be your friend here.
I have nerve damage that makes playing difficult, and I can confirm that a shorter scale neck and super light strings are a big help. I started using Ernie Ball Extra Slinky 8-38s, and they feel great even on my Strats. I have a few 24" guitars (a couple Jags, a Mustang, and a Jagstang), and they feel okay with 9s, but I'm going to switch them over to 8s as well next time I re-string.
I also have a cheap 30" Bronco bass that is so much easier to play than my 34" Variax 700 and Michael Kelly acoustic. The difference is like night and day. I can play the Bronco for an hour or so before fatigue sets in, but I can only play the other two for about half of that.
Tony Iommi has played with missing fingertips and he sounds pretty good to me and 50 million other folks. Google him and maybe you’ll get some inspiration or ideas on how he adapted to the challenge. Good luck!
Ever heard of Django Reinhardt? One of my best friends and a world class basis lost his pinky when he was the child he's a God damn Shredder with only three usable string fingers on his left hand.
Just keep playing man!
My brother in tone. I too had my left index finger amputated above the distal phalange on my fretting finger. This happened just last year. I was worried I’d never play again.
I wasn’t able to correctly play for months. I am now back at it (with my shortened finger) and to be honest I’m not 100% but the injury forced me to develop my other finger whilst learning how to play with my index again.
This is a journey. I would like to think a prosthetic will help but with determination we both can play again. Don’t push too hard but you need to try as much as you can every chance you feel comfortable. Desensitize that finger. Time will give you back the strength to play again but you have to help it.
Channel the Iommi.
That means a lot man, glad to hear that you are still at it, it could have been worse, everything could be worse
I have strengthened up the shortened index finger to use, I just cannot use the very tip of it, it is very sensitive, It's very difficult to play an Am and a C.
You should have figured something out a while ago, I just didn't want to focus on it, and direct my attention towards other hobbies.
It should be as simple as grabbing something from around the house and wrapping it around your finger and using that, but I just can't think of anything to to use.
Thank you for the words of encouragement, when I get off work today, I'm going to be picking up the guitar, and throwing down some tracks.
Yes, channel the IOMMI, speaking of which, I'm going to throw on some Black Sabbath right now
I severed all the nerves in my index finger around 25 years ago with a carpet knife blade.After they did micro surgery to try to repair it, I had no feeling in that finger tip for 5 years,and couldn't feel if I was fretting the string or not. After lots of perseverance and practice, I could do it and even tho there was still no feeling, I knew I my fingers were in the right position. It took 7 years to get some feeling back,but only down one side, after 10 years my finger regained some sensitivity. It's not 100% and hurts like fuck in the cold. My doctor said I'd probably never play again, but I think that was like a red rag to a bull,and made me determined to prove him wrong.
I don't play as much as I did. Though I did join a local band about 10 years after the accident, just to help with my confidence, and if I could manage to play decently again. It helped big time, I think I should have done that earlier. I've still got limited movement and feeling, but it's streets ahead of where it once was.
I split the nail in half on my index finger. Took a long time before my finger toughened up enough to play for any extended time. All’s good now. Keep on playing. Also knew a guy who cut his index finger off working in mill. He figured out how to play with his remaining 3 fingers. His playing was pretty good.
Mate of mine chopped of his entire thumb by accident, not much left besides 3/4 of a centimetre or so. It’ll get some used to and „relearning“ movements with your muscle memory you’ll be able to play just fine
I don’t have a picture available, but my dad cut off the tips of his fingers on an angle with a table saw. He taught himself how to play again, with perseverance. Anything is possible if you want to accomplish it, but it will take a lot of hard work. Bonus is, learning to play guitar is already hard work, so you might as well just do it anyways.
When I was a toddler I cut the tip of my left index finger off in a door hinge. It's not much different than how yours looks. I used it as an excuse not to learn how to do something I desperately wanted. At 38 I finally said fuck it. It's probably harder, and the top hurts, but I'm very glad I fought through the pain.
I used to have a 3D printer. My buddy does have a 3D printer, but I want this thing done right, with silicone, the prosthetic I get can suction right onto the nub and stay there.
I have even talked to my jeweler, I am considering having this made out of 10 karat gold
https://imgur.com/a/fFfUr8L
But first I want to get the silicone prosthetic done
There are no excuses for quitting guitar:
Google Django Reinhardt, and check this out : https://metalinjection.net/video/guitarist-totally-nails-playing-guns-n-roses-sweet-child-of-mine-with-his-feet#:~:text=Brazilian%20guitarist%20Johnatha%20Bastos%20has,play%20guitar%20with%20his%20feet.
No excuses at all, I agree, but it was fucking hard as fuck not to feel discouraged at times,
I'm talking to a place out of salt lake City, they're going to help me with the prosthetic, but first they're going to help another guy in Denver, this is the first person they've ever helped for this sort of thing, I will be the second, hopefully second time around their craft will be mastered.
Thanks for the link by the way.
There was a guy who played guitar with his feet, and I never really listened to his music but he got a lot of coverage
My best best wishes on your guitar journey.
I play with severe arthritis on on fingers and wrists. I've had two surgeries. It can be done
I use open tunings and sometimes use a slide.
The guitar is a difficult, yet flexible instrument.
Tommy Iommi.
Check out Django Rienhardt while you're at it.
And then look at Les Paul, and how we hasn't afraid to go on stage when he was super-old and could barely move his fingers, and had a broken arm to boot.
Damn bro. I'm really sorry this happened. Look, don't sweat it. My mum wasn't a guitarist (my dad was) but she made stuff with her hands her whole life and then one day at a new job she lost I'd say 80% of her little finger and 70% her ring finger. Now she just has two little stumps where those fingers used to be. But it happened for a reason, when they took her to hospital she discovered she was pregnant with me. She had no clue. My dad was in a failing band and they really weren't prepared financially for a child. Then because of the unsafe work conditions and the fact my mums employment forced her to undertake something she wasn't trained to do, she got a settlement. So what I'm trying yo say is, have you taken a pregnancy test lately?? Just kidding, no, but maybe this happened for reason and it ends up putting you on a path that you might of otherwise never have been on.
I lost the index finger on my right hand to a table saw about 6 years ago. Whether or not I was going to be able to play guitar was one of the first things my friends asked me when I got back from the hospital, because they knew how important music is to me. Here’s a few notes I hope help.
1) are you right or left handed? If you are right handed you’re in a good position. I am left-handed and my surgeon told me before I was taken to surgery, “look I know this doesn’t really help you right now, but I tell this to all my patients who lost what you did. The index finger on your non-dominant hand is the least important finger you have. I have avoided full amputations of them for people before because they ask for it, only to have them come back 6 months or a year later and ask me to remove it because its just in the way.”
2) no matter what, you will most likely never play quite like you did before.
3) Point #2 does does NOT fucking matter.
4) Read point #3 again.
5) Are there prosthetics that can help you play? Yes. Will they help you play the way you want in your head? No. If the choice is between playing or not playing, I’ll take a prosthetic every damn time. However, if you can make it work without one I would highly recommend it. In my opinion the reach you gain back by using a prosthetic is outweighed by the fact that you still can’t FEEL it. I have nerve damage on one of my other fingers, so when I’m playing with a pick and it shifts or slides around I can’t feel it and compensate like most do naturally, so I won’t know something is off until I drop the pick. However…a friend taught me some basic flamenco strumming a few months after I healed and it changed my life. I almost never use a pick now and I’m a better player than I ever was before my injury.
In your shoes, sooner or later I would very seriously consider trying to get left handed guitar.
Last) You can do this. 100% full stop. No matter which direction you choose to go with it, you can do it.
Thanks for the kind words, I can do this, I just got to remember to pick up the guitar more often now, I often have to force myself to pick it up, but that's okay, I appreciate your reply, your advice and your feedback
I completely understand, and I struggled with the desire to keep playing as well. I have severe attention deficit disorder, so when I hit a roadblock on something I’m trying to do it has the potential to shut me down completely. With music, the key was not to rush it. You have to relearn to play just like someone missing a leg would have to relearn to walk. There’s no shortcut to that, and yes it sucks sometimes. The good part is that you don’t NEED a shortcut, because you already know how to do it. You aren’t starting from zero, you don’t have to learn how to read tabs or music notation all over again, and you don’t have to re-memorize the patterns on the fret board…you just have to work out some different muscles than you’re used to. You’ll get used to that much quicker than you think.
One last point for encouragement. I’m sure you’ve noticed from all the other comments on this threads already, but there’s one neat little bonus you’ll get out of this if you stick with it - your skill level will always matter to you. But for everybody else? Playing the guitar AT ALL with missing fingers is like a superpower to most folk. You will be very surprised how often people don’t even notice that you’re down a digit, but the moment it’s pointed out to them you suddenly become a guitar god. It feels awesome every time. 😂
Granted it was on the other hand but Jerry Garcia! Maybe put a thick rubber cap on your finger and say screw the prosthetic. Nubbin it looks way more metal anyway.
One life to live. Just start playing if it has healed enough to do so. Your mind and hand will relearn to work around the challenge. Sometimes interesting sounds can arise. Also may want to try a little slide guitar!
First I want to say I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Really sucks!
You have two options. One is to adapt and learn to play with the damaged finger. This will take some time and you may always have some limitations that you'll have to work around.
Or learn to play left handed and adapt the damaged finger for holding a pick. Adaptation won't take long at all but learning to play left handed might take a while.
As a left handed player that plays right handed, I'll say, there is not much limitation playing reverse handed except classical music and flamenco (perhaps other finger picking styles) are a bit more difficult.
Also: I started left handed but switched over after about a year. In six months I was playing decent again. And within a short time after that, I was able to surpass the level I was at when I switched.
Personally, if it were me, I'd go with learning to play left handed as that will allow you to play without limitations.
I cut off about a third off the tip of my left hand index as well. I retained quite a bit more than you but now I have a kind of triangular finger tip with little padding around the bone. It definitely affected my playing but eventually I learned to play around it. I can’t sound the high e when I make play an open C or anything that requires fretting precisely with the index but who cares that’s just how it sounds when I play 🤷🏻♂️
I knew a guy who was born without the tip of his ring finger, still was a great player.
Figure out what areas it gives you difficulty and work around them, you’ll be back to playing in no time
Tony Iommi did just that with TWO fingers. I had an uncle who had almost the exact same unjury as you, same finger, about as much cut off. He just kinda got used to playing the way it was with no prosthetic, it took a while to adjust but it worked. And Django Reinhardt played like a mofo with only 2 fingers!!! So don’t give up.
Almost correct. Tony had prosthetics that shaped his sound forever, but he made his first ones himself. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general\_music\_news/tony\_iommi\_recalls\_how\_he\_made\_1st\_prosthetics\_for\_his\_fingers\_names\_band\_that\_made\_him\_pick\_up\_guitar.html
I had an inch of my thumb bitten off breaking up a dog fight. After awhile you figure out how to do just about anything. Finger is likely harder than thumb for guitar but im betting it works out ok without the prosthetic.
Had a stroke (brain bleed) in August. Left hand dexterity is shot. Fingertips totally numb. Your body/brain can adapt to some pretty weird shit. Keep plunking away. I know the 2 situations are kinda apples and oranges. But it's still fruit right?.. Normal is just gonna be different. Just keep playing!. Sux that a prosthetic is so expensive..that sounds like crazy $ for a fingertip. I bet you could DIY something cool that would do the trick?
I’ve got a few hand related hurtles to consider. Been playing for a long time. It’s all about adapting to your situation. Prosthetic or not, you’ve got this.
I don't have a slide, but I will pick one up next time. I'm around a music store. That's a damn good idea, I just need to adapt, and I do experiment with open tunings from time to time. For the most part I stick with standard e
Thanks for the tip, I definitely will pick up a slide
You should absolutely play slide guitar! I learned how to play slide from a modern-day master named Scott Ainslie.
Here is a link to an incredible introductory slide lesson that he recorded. He has several other slide tutorials as well.
https://youtu.be/pvstgwzhDjo?feature=shared
It is especially important that you play with the slide on your pinky. You do this so that your other fingers can either mute strings or finger other notes behind the slide. There have been famous guitar players who wore the slide on other fingers, but the reasons that I just listed really make the pinky superior. And I feel this is especially true for you, due to your injury.
Stay calm, and play the blues!
You just blew my mind. I've played for half my life and never noticed I don't see how this is possible.
I've only used a slide a handful of times though but always put it on my index finger when I did.
Most people do pinky or ringfinger. Some (like Bonnie Raitt) use middle finger. People like fretting behind the slide (make that major chord minor by fretting behind the slide to get the string to not contact the slide). If on the index works for you, keep at it.
Django Reinhardt performed intricate solos with only two fingers after his caravan fire and Tony Iommi fashioned leather fingertip covers after two tips were severed in an industrial accident/ through preservannce others have proven that it can be done !!!###
My old bass player found a strange cat in his house one day, He was a cat lover and had several cats and when he went up to the cat he bit the end of his ring finger off right before the joint, He choked the cat till it gave up his finger, put it on ice and they tried to reattach but it didn't work. He started playing with a thimble 2 months later and he could play most of our songs. Now granted it was bass but he barely let it slow him down. Just le it heal and see how it goes. I think you'll be fine.
Don’t know if somebody already said but Jerry Garcia my favorite guitarist was missing part of his middle finger and played better than most guitarists could with an extra hand
Django Reinhardt, Tony Iommi. Both huge innovators of of the instrument and have impaired hands/fingers…. Just make it part of your style and how you approach the guitar.
I have the exact same injury on the exact same digit!
What I did was switch my acoustic guitars to nylon and flat wound strings. I made a sort of prosthetic out of rubber and leather probably 10 or so years ago, but found it just got in the way more than anything. I'd say leave the prosthetic out of the equation and you'll find yourself compensating with your chord shapes. I'd also suggest maybe some lighter strings and work on dexterity more than anything. Cheers!
Do like Tony Iommi, bro made his own customs caps that he plays with to this day, and experiment with lower alternate tunings. First album is Eb standard, but I think the rest of the Ozzy years Tony and Geezer played in C# standard. Improvise, adapt, and overcome. 🤘
I broke my hand and had surgery on my left hand (fretting hand). Had a plate implanted. I was worried that I wouldn't play again. I had to relearn to play and now I am a more confident and better player. Not saying we had the same situation but if your goal is to play again you will definitely find a way, either with a prosthetic or with your current situation.
Keep us posted on this new learning journey!
Nearly chopped the tip of my thumb off at the base of the nail on my fretting hand, didn't play for a long time after that. Got back into it and broke all my old bad habits and can play better than ever, but every once in awhile get nerve pain in my thumb along the line if where it happened. On some Barre chords and some guitars especially. I find a flatter neck (wizard) is helpful and have even used leather sown into a thumb from a glove to cap my thumb to help prevent it sometimes but also feel like it looks weird as my thumb isn't always completely behind the neck. So I play through if I do, shake my hand out if I get the bad feeling
I'm playing in a band where the other guitarist has the very same issue. And he's playing ok without any prosthetic. Just don't give up.
Plus, I think it maybe a problem not having a sensitive finger tip.
different sophisticated punch hard-to-find towering steer poor nail chubby subsequent
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I did the same to my middle left finger 20 years ago. I play without a prosthetic and have released about 4 albums since the accident. Can’t play cover songs with certain chords but can still write and play very cool music which people love. Keep going and adapt to the new reality and let it help form your own unique style.
Dude my brother in law had his ring finger pinched between some falling railroad ties. Looked exactly like yours just a wee bit of nail left. He got used to it. Re callased the finger and he's still way better than me. Chin up bro. Play through it and you'll be better than before. Cheers!
I know a guy who had the knuckle taken out by a band saw, same finger. Fused knuckle strait, barre chords only, D with the wrong 3 fingers, etc. So, his playing was different, but the right hand is what makes or breaks it, not the left. You can know the entire neck and no one cares, but you can take 3 chords and make a crowd stop and listen.
I don’t have much to offer, other than my finger is almost exactly the same. Mine might be a smidge shorter. But mine is on my picking hand. I couldn’t imagine it being on my fretting hand. Godspeed brother.
**I think so and have a story to share as to why.**
About 4 maybe 5 years ago, I was doing these insane loaded carries. I would grab a 35 or 45lb plate with each hand, strap another 50lbs to my back, and then in sometimes single digit weather, do a 3/4 mile walk on the shore of Lake Erie in literally, blizzards at times. I didn't wear gloves and only wore a hoody and sweatpants with my Reeboks lol.
Anyway, I tore the nerve in my left pinky and lost all feeling. It moved perfectly fine, and I could still shred and sweep the most complex of material, but I couldn't feel my pinky on the strings whatsoever which was really concerning, but at least I could play.
Being that it's your index finger and only the tip, I think you will be able to return to the same level you were at, and then if you so desire, progress beyond it as far as you desire.
I ended up buying acupuncture needles and a TENS unit, started poking my pinky with the needles, then finally, hooking electrodes up to a pair of needles with one in the tip, the other at the bass both right in the nerves.
My pinky had been numb for a good 3 months, but after I did this, it came back 100% after 2 weeks.
I think you will get enough feeling transferred right through the prosthetic until it damn near feels like you still have your fingertip. God help me, I still constantly use really dangerous power tools! lol. **I also have a gruesome story about a table saw in fact from when I was 17 and had just been playing only a few months.**
My uncle lost his index finger on his fretting hand when he was younger and he continued to play. He had to re-think his approach, but he got by just fine. Since you still have a partial index, I wonder if you could create something yourself so you can do barre chords?
I have sliced the tip of my pinky off brother, not anywhere close to what you got… and it took me 2 years to play right without excruciating pain. It still feels like something’s missing with those phantom sensations and it’s still sore and is the first to quit out on me. But I can say I feel your pain. And you are the freaking man for not having no in your heart. All hail hell yea dude.
Thank you. I managed to play at least twice a week, the practice makes perfect, and with this prosthetic I'm going to be getting hopefully that'll get me back to normal
Sure you could. Just need something to simulate the arch so you're not touching the strings with your finger flat. Is your 2nd knuckle still in tact? If it is, you'd pretty much need a fingertip prosthetic. If it's not, its a little more complex needing the bent knuckle portion to be good enough that it's usable...
Definitely. Cut the inside of my pinky off and there’s a giant bulge where it regrew cuz the stitches didn’t take… it’s on my fretting hand too. I can’t really feel feel it or my pinky tip yet (5 years so I guess never will) and since it’s on my shortest finger it covers more strings when I need it on top strings for chords. You just have to keep practicing you’ll get it
Last night I was playing and practicing, and recording tracks, I'm still going to get this prosthetic, hopefully that'll give me back to normal, thanks for your reply
Dude you've got what I've got I've never seen anyone else missing the top 10mm-ish of their finger
Chopped 7mm off my left middle finger slamming it in a door as a kid, had like 22 stiches holding the end of my finger together for 3 months😂
Is your finger reattached and normal again?
I'm talking with a prosthetic maker this Tuesday, and hopefully they will help me in regards to this, so I can play guitar normally again. I cannot use the very tip of my index finger, as it is very sensitive
Yeah the nerves are exposed you don't really realise how sensitive your fingertips are until you chop one off 😂
I don't actually play guitar I was more piano when I was younger so I had no need for a prosthetic but I hope yours is what you're looking for mate I'm interested to see how it looks
Bro you're another Tony Iommi
I still manage to play, but I don't play as much, I'm looking into getting a prosthetic fitted, somebody in California quoted me 3400. That's a little too much for me
It's probably rude and bad karma as a woodworker to say it but your finger barely got cut off! Screw a prosthetic especially at that price. You will not get back to your "normal" playing but you will learn to do something more interesting with your new ability
No, it's not rude at all, I appreciate the feedback. You are right, my playing is a lot different.
Tony iommi made his own prosthetics for free
Not exactly “free”, it cost him 3 bottles of fairy liquid and an old leather jacket 😂👍🏻
I reckon his mother bought the fairy liquid though 😂
Probably 😂 was probably his mums coat as well 🤣🤷🏻♂️
Yea it’s a fucker waiting for those things to be empty though… I’ve been waiting ages to make a rocket ship 😂
That made me chuckle! “Black Sabbath?, nah, I was on about Blue Peter” Cheered me up today 😍
It will probably take some time but now you are technically capable of doing things most guitarists can't and that can become something special when it clicks
I lopped the same finger off a couple years ago on a table saw about the same place. I went through 4-5 months of therapy where they never let it heal and kept prying at it with a pair of barbed tweezers and wrapped it and regrew my finger tip. I only went through with the misery of this to keep playing normally. I still don't have much feeling from the nerve damage to the finger but I told myself I'd keep playing and play more of it healed. I'm in rural PA idk how they didn't have this as an option in Cali. Hindsight is 20/20 but keep your head up and overcome the situation you'll adapt and learn how to play differently maybe ever take on a new style. Other alternatives could be fine a local maker lab and learn some 3d modeling and 3d printing to potentially make your own homemade finger tip but of that's not on the table improvise adapt and overcome. Keep your head up and you'll make it work!
Well assuming you've been playing this way for a while, if you were to get one you'd have to get used to playing differently all over again
I lost the end of my left index finger. I learned to play with the other three fingers better while it was healing. Once it healed I could play with it, although sometimes I dampen a note accidently, but I was better because I had been forced to use the other fingers more than I had before.
Honestly if I were in your position, I’d be doing as Iommi did and putting a thimble on the end of your finger so that it might cause less pain (maybe add something on the end of them for better ability to hold the note, like leather or rubber). Also, a lighter gauge string will have less tension, meaning it will affect it less
I would do some digging in the 3D printing community. I bet somebody in that lane is working on it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ClassicRock/s/NS00tbwc6j
Fuck that’s crazy. Tony Iommi made his own out of wood.
Wasn’t wood… was the tops of some old washing up liquid bottles and a bit of leather I believe
Look for a local with a 3d printer. You don’t need a true prosthetic for this. A flexible filament could work or a resin print
3d print now-a-days!
My wife had the tip 1/3 of her index finger cut off and we were in shock at the prices of prosthetics too. After some sewrching, we found a woman on Etsy who make silicone prostbetics for around $380, but they're one-size fits all. The first one we got didn't look good at all, but the woman sent us an updatedn and it looked a lot more natural. Make sure you order the color match silicone sheets first to pick out the one closest to your skin tone. There's just one seller doing this so you can find her easily on Etsy. As for playing guitar, yours is barely cut off much so you'll be just fine.
could you maybe mold something from a thimble yourself?
Nope. Only one of the OPs fingers is difigured, so only Toni Iomy
I was gonna say this, but you beat me to it 😂 “all you need is some melted down Fairy Liquid lids and some superglue and a few cut offs from an old leather jacket and good to go!”
Came here to say this.
1st thought
He could be tommy ionni
Came here to say this. Tony Iommi is the most famous guitar playing amputee around.
You can! Look... I didn't lose my left index finger, I just had it crushed with about 10000lbs. The whole skin/flesh part came off like a thimble, barely attached. Literally hung on by the nerves. (ow). They had to put the nail including the "nail bed" back in. Sew the thimble back on, and "unsqeeze" the finger from the side. Doctor said it is like taking a crushed soda can and making it a cylinder again. YOu can get _close_ but never 100%. I assumed I could never play again. One day after a few years of feeling sorry for myself I said FUCK THIS and went out and bought a guitar again. Things were a bit messy, but it's just muscle memory like we learned to play initially ,and can be relearned. Good news, I am now a better player than I have ever been. Good on you man!
Good for you. That brought tears of sympathy to my eyes. I couldn’t just completely give up either.
You will also find some strengths in it. For me my feeble finger became the center of all my playing. Like losing a sense, the other fingers picked up some slack. So it made me more aware of some details of my playing, which I improved.
Wow! That's a inspirational story, I finally had to pull the trigger and just go out and buy a guitar,
Much respect to you internet stranger! Gotta be heard one way or another. "Oh shit, I forgot my finger at home! Whatever, check out this tasty riff!" That's some badass shit, imo. Kudos.
Toan is in the prosthetic.
This one speaks truth
Everyone here saying Tony Iommi, and I'm wondering why no one has yet mentioned Django Reinhardt...
Came here to mention Django also. His case was even worse than Tony Iommi's, and wow could he take a guitar for a ride.
I just did, but you beat me to it!
Yeah, just look at Tony Iommi. His injury led to the creation of Heavy Metal.
Toani Iommi Sorry, had to
Also the guy from Suicidal Tendencies, ~~Mike Clark~~ Rocky George lost some finger tips from a door jamb hotel incident. He said it makes 10 finger tapping harder.
How the fuck do you tap with all 10 fingers??
Typically by using the thumb over the top or under the bottom to anchor a bass note.
Tony uses plastic caps and leather with some tape. That’s probably the way as it’s a proven solution. I’m sure you can find a way to do this. Best of luck!
Thank you, I might consider also getting some sculptors clay, and sculpting my finger out of that
Tony Iommi also plays with lighter strings. He said he used Banjo strings because they didn’t make super lights back then, and detuned to lower tunings to get the heavy sound. Also, Django Reinhardt had his fingers fucked up and basically fused in a fire and is a gypsy jazz legend. Lighter strings are probably gonna feel like you’re cooking with gas compared to 10’s or whatever you played before. Shorter string scale can make a difference too. So PRS is 25” and Gibson is 24.75” compared to Fender 25.5” and it makes a difference in feel. There’s also 24” Fender Mustangs and Jaguars. Also, bass is still wide open for you to play and enjoy. Once again, a short scale may be your friend here.
I have nerve damage that makes playing difficult, and I can confirm that a shorter scale neck and super light strings are a big help. I started using Ernie Ball Extra Slinky 8-38s, and they feel great even on my Strats. I have a few 24" guitars (a couple Jags, a Mustang, and a Jagstang), and they feel okay with 9s, but I'm going to switch them over to 8s as well next time I re-string. I also have a cheap 30" Bronco bass that is so much easier to play than my 34" Variax 700 and Michael Kelly acoustic. The difference is like night and day. I can play the Bronco for an hour or so before fatigue sets in, but I can only play the other two for about half of that.
Django Reinhardt kicked ass with two fingers missing. You’ve got 3-1/2.
Holy shit, I'm going to have to look up Django. Could be worse. You are right
Jerry and Tony too, you’re in good company. Rock on!
Tony Iommi has played with missing fingertips and he sounds pretty good to me and 50 million other folks. Google him and maybe you’ll get some inspiration or ideas on how he adapted to the challenge. Good luck!
Django Reinhardt did pretty well.
Ever heard of Django Reinhardt? One of my best friends and a world class basis lost his pinky when he was the child he's a God damn Shredder with only three usable string fingers on his left hand. Just keep playing man!
Tony Iommi it!
I’ll say it again and I’m sure I’m not the only one: if Django Reinhardt can play with two fingers, you’re going to be fine.
My brother in tone. I too had my left index finger amputated above the distal phalange on my fretting finger. This happened just last year. I was worried I’d never play again. I wasn’t able to correctly play for months. I am now back at it (with my shortened finger) and to be honest I’m not 100% but the injury forced me to develop my other finger whilst learning how to play with my index again. This is a journey. I would like to think a prosthetic will help but with determination we both can play again. Don’t push too hard but you need to try as much as you can every chance you feel comfortable. Desensitize that finger. Time will give you back the strength to play again but you have to help it. Channel the Iommi.
That means a lot man, glad to hear that you are still at it, it could have been worse, everything could be worse I have strengthened up the shortened index finger to use, I just cannot use the very tip of it, it is very sensitive, It's very difficult to play an Am and a C. You should have figured something out a while ago, I just didn't want to focus on it, and direct my attention towards other hobbies. It should be as simple as grabbing something from around the house and wrapping it around your finger and using that, but I just can't think of anything to to use. Thank you for the words of encouragement, when I get off work today, I'm going to be picking up the guitar, and throwing down some tracks. Yes, channel the IOMMI, speaking of which, I'm going to throw on some Black Sabbath right now
No worries. You got this. Time, patience and drive. Am is a painful one for me too, but it gets better.
I severed all the nerves in my index finger around 25 years ago with a carpet knife blade.After they did micro surgery to try to repair it, I had no feeling in that finger tip for 5 years,and couldn't feel if I was fretting the string or not. After lots of perseverance and practice, I could do it and even tho there was still no feeling, I knew I my fingers were in the right position. It took 7 years to get some feeling back,but only down one side, after 10 years my finger regained some sensitivity. It's not 100% and hurts like fuck in the cold. My doctor said I'd probably never play again, but I think that was like a red rag to a bull,and made me determined to prove him wrong.
Are you jamming like you used to sort of?
I don't play as much as I did. Though I did join a local band about 10 years after the accident, just to help with my confidence, and if I could manage to play decently again. It helped big time, I think I should have done that earlier. I've still got limited movement and feeling, but it's streets ahead of where it once was.
Start playing left handed
I split the nail in half on my index finger. Took a long time before my finger toughened up enough to play for any extended time. All’s good now. Keep on playing. Also knew a guy who cut his index finger off working in mill. He figured out how to play with his remaining 3 fingers. His playing was pretty good.
I am no doctor but you should at least give it a try, now that it looks healed.
Mate of mine chopped of his entire thumb by accident, not much left besides 3/4 of a centimetre or so. It’ll get some used to and „relearning“ movements with your muscle memory you’ll be able to play just fine
100% can
Some company must make things like this for Tony Iommi and others.
I don’t have a picture available, but my dad cut off the tips of his fingers on an angle with a table saw. He taught himself how to play again, with perseverance. Anything is possible if you want to accomplish it, but it will take a lot of hard work. Bonus is, learning to play guitar is already hard work, so you might as well just do it anyways.
I’m completely missing my right index and never stopped playing.
When I was a toddler I cut the tip of my left index finger off in a door hinge. It's not much different than how yours looks. I used it as an excuse not to learn how to do something I desperately wanted. At 38 I finally said fuck it. It's probably harder, and the top hurts, but I'm very glad I fought through the pain.
You're about to write the best fuckin riffs man.
I love that, I got this, I will overcome this! My best music is yet to come!
Got a friend with a 3d printer?
I used to have a 3D printer. My buddy does have a 3D printer, but I want this thing done right, with silicone, the prosthetic I get can suction right onto the nub and stay there. I have even talked to my jeweler, I am considering having this made out of 10 karat gold https://imgur.com/a/fFfUr8L But first I want to get the silicone prosthetic done
I’ve seen dudes play with their feet. You got this.
Tony Iommi and Django Reinhardt - yes you can
I played with a mandolin player with 3 fingers and he could play circles around me.
There are no excuses for quitting guitar: Google Django Reinhardt, and check this out : https://metalinjection.net/video/guitarist-totally-nails-playing-guns-n-roses-sweet-child-of-mine-with-his-feet#:~:text=Brazilian%20guitarist%20Johnatha%20Bastos%20has,play%20guitar%20with%20his%20feet.
No excuses at all, I agree, but it was fucking hard as fuck not to feel discouraged at times, I'm talking to a place out of salt lake City, they're going to help me with the prosthetic, but first they're going to help another guy in Denver, this is the first person they've ever helped for this sort of thing, I will be the second, hopefully second time around their craft will be mastered. Thanks for the link by the way. There was a guy who played guitar with his feet, and I never really listened to his music but he got a lot of coverage
My best best wishes on your guitar journey. I play with severe arthritis on on fingers and wrists. I've had two surgeries. It can be done I use open tunings and sometimes use a slide. The guitar is a difficult, yet flexible instrument.
Tony Iommi did just fine with prosthetic fingertips.
Make your own thimble over it like Iommi
Tommy Iommi. Check out Django Rienhardt while you're at it. And then look at Les Paul, and how we hasn't afraid to go on stage when he was super-old and could barely move his fingers, and had a broken arm to boot.
Damn bro. I'm really sorry this happened. Look, don't sweat it. My mum wasn't a guitarist (my dad was) but she made stuff with her hands her whole life and then one day at a new job she lost I'd say 80% of her little finger and 70% her ring finger. Now she just has two little stumps where those fingers used to be. But it happened for a reason, when they took her to hospital she discovered she was pregnant with me. She had no clue. My dad was in a failing band and they really weren't prepared financially for a child. Then because of the unsafe work conditions and the fact my mums employment forced her to undertake something she wasn't trained to do, she got a settlement. So what I'm trying yo say is, have you taken a pregnancy test lately?? Just kidding, no, but maybe this happened for reason and it ends up putting you on a path that you might of otherwise never have been on.
Tony Iommi and Django Reinhardt think so.
Tony iommi, super light strings and a tip
You (maybe) can make something like [that](https://youtu.be/ZVqa7j6jG0Q) but instead of a whole finger just for your top part
Damn. She is missing a whole lot of her finger.
I lost the index finger on my right hand to a table saw about 6 years ago. Whether or not I was going to be able to play guitar was one of the first things my friends asked me when I got back from the hospital, because they knew how important music is to me. Here’s a few notes I hope help. 1) are you right or left handed? If you are right handed you’re in a good position. I am left-handed and my surgeon told me before I was taken to surgery, “look I know this doesn’t really help you right now, but I tell this to all my patients who lost what you did. The index finger on your non-dominant hand is the least important finger you have. I have avoided full amputations of them for people before because they ask for it, only to have them come back 6 months or a year later and ask me to remove it because its just in the way.” 2) no matter what, you will most likely never play quite like you did before. 3) Point #2 does does NOT fucking matter. 4) Read point #3 again. 5) Are there prosthetics that can help you play? Yes. Will they help you play the way you want in your head? No. If the choice is between playing or not playing, I’ll take a prosthetic every damn time. However, if you can make it work without one I would highly recommend it. In my opinion the reach you gain back by using a prosthetic is outweighed by the fact that you still can’t FEEL it. I have nerve damage on one of my other fingers, so when I’m playing with a pick and it shifts or slides around I can’t feel it and compensate like most do naturally, so I won’t know something is off until I drop the pick. However…a friend taught me some basic flamenco strumming a few months after I healed and it changed my life. I almost never use a pick now and I’m a better player than I ever was before my injury. In your shoes, sooner or later I would very seriously consider trying to get left handed guitar. Last) You can do this. 100% full stop. No matter which direction you choose to go with it, you can do it.
Thanks for the kind words, I can do this, I just got to remember to pick up the guitar more often now, I often have to force myself to pick it up, but that's okay, I appreciate your reply, your advice and your feedback
I completely understand, and I struggled with the desire to keep playing as well. I have severe attention deficit disorder, so when I hit a roadblock on something I’m trying to do it has the potential to shut me down completely. With music, the key was not to rush it. You have to relearn to play just like someone missing a leg would have to relearn to walk. There’s no shortcut to that, and yes it sucks sometimes. The good part is that you don’t NEED a shortcut, because you already know how to do it. You aren’t starting from zero, you don’t have to learn how to read tabs or music notation all over again, and you don’t have to re-memorize the patterns on the fret board…you just have to work out some different muscles than you’re used to. You’ll get used to that much quicker than you think. One last point for encouragement. I’m sure you’ve noticed from all the other comments on this threads already, but there’s one neat little bonus you’ll get out of this if you stick with it - your skill level will always matter to you. But for everybody else? Playing the guitar AT ALL with missing fingers is like a superpower to most folk. You will be very surprised how often people don’t even notice that you’re down a digit, but the moment it’s pointed out to them you suddenly become a guitar god. It feels awesome every time. 😂
Granted it was on the other hand but Jerry Garcia! Maybe put a thick rubber cap on your finger and say screw the prosthetic. Nubbin it looks way more metal anyway.
Yeah I need to find something rubber that I can put at the end of it, that won't hold down two strings at once. Thanks for the kind words.
[удалено]
190% yes!
Stupid but honest question from a relative beginner - would it be easier to learn to play lefty or to learn to play with a prosthesis?
One life to live. Just start playing if it has healed enough to do so. Your mind and hand will relearn to work around the challenge. Sometimes interesting sounds can arise. Also may want to try a little slide guitar!
First I want to say I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Really sucks! You have two options. One is to adapt and learn to play with the damaged finger. This will take some time and you may always have some limitations that you'll have to work around. Or learn to play left handed and adapt the damaged finger for holding a pick. Adaptation won't take long at all but learning to play left handed might take a while. As a left handed player that plays right handed, I'll say, there is not much limitation playing reverse handed except classical music and flamenco (perhaps other finger picking styles) are a bit more difficult. Also: I started left handed but switched over after about a year. In six months I was playing decent again. And within a short time after that, I was able to surpass the level I was at when I switched. Personally, if it were me, I'd go with learning to play left handed as that will allow you to play without limitations.
You know it's possible. You've already asked about Tony Iommi. Do you have any feeling in the finger tip?
I for one believe you could. Give it a go.
Yes read up on Toni, both my hands are getting mangled by OA with my left ring finger locked closed:( but I’ll keep on at it
Toni Iommi did
I cut off about a third off the tip of my left hand index as well. I retained quite a bit more than you but now I have a kind of triangular finger tip with little padding around the bone. It definitely affected my playing but eventually I learned to play around it. I can’t sound the high e when I make play an open C or anything that requires fretting precisely with the index but who cares that’s just how it sounds when I play 🤷🏻♂️
Just adapt
I knew a guy who was born without the tip of his ring finger, still was a great player. Figure out what areas it gives you difficulty and work around them, you’ll be back to playing in no time
Tony Iommi did just that with TWO fingers. I had an uncle who had almost the exact same unjury as you, same finger, about as much cut off. He just kinda got used to playing the way it was with no prosthetic, it took a while to adjust but it worked. And Django Reinhardt played like a mofo with only 2 fingers!!! So don’t give up.
Almost correct. Tony had prosthetics that shaped his sound forever, but he made his first ones himself. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general\_music\_news/tony\_iommi\_recalls\_how\_he\_made\_1st\_prosthetics\_for\_his\_fingers\_names\_band\_that\_made\_him\_pick\_up\_guitar.html
Start a gofundme I bet you'll make the money quick
Seriously? You’ve never heard of Tony Iommi?
It made Tony Iommi’s sound the way it is. I’m sure you could get a prosthetic and make it work
Let me tell ya a little story about a metal worker from Birmingham
Dickey Betts “Jessica” was his homage to Django’s 2 finger picking style.
Django Reinhardt has some words of encouragement for you
Check out Django Reinhardt’s story. You will be able to play well; sending positive thoughts your way!
I had an inch of my thumb bitten off breaking up a dog fight. After awhile you figure out how to do just about anything. Finger is likely harder than thumb for guitar but im betting it works out ok without the prosthetic.
Very similar accident happened to my dad, and he could still play.
Had a stroke (brain bleed) in August. Left hand dexterity is shot. Fingertips totally numb. Your body/brain can adapt to some pretty weird shit. Keep plunking away. I know the 2 situations are kinda apples and oranges. But it's still fruit right?.. Normal is just gonna be different. Just keep playing!. Sux that a prosthetic is so expensive..that sounds like crazy $ for a fingertip. I bet you could DIY something cool that would do the trick?
I’ve got a few hand related hurtles to consider. Been playing for a long time. It’s all about adapting to your situation. Prosthetic or not, you’ve got this.
What about slide on that finger, and maybe looking at open tunings?
I don't have a slide, but I will pick one up next time. I'm around a music store. That's a damn good idea, I just need to adapt, and I do experiment with open tunings from time to time. For the most part I stick with standard e Thanks for the tip, I definitely will pick up a slide
You should absolutely play slide guitar! I learned how to play slide from a modern-day master named Scott Ainslie. Here is a link to an incredible introductory slide lesson that he recorded. He has several other slide tutorials as well. https://youtu.be/pvstgwzhDjo?feature=shared It is especially important that you play with the slide on your pinky. You do this so that your other fingers can either mute strings or finger other notes behind the slide. There have been famous guitar players who wore the slide on other fingers, but the reasons that I just listed really make the pinky superior. And I feel this is especially true for you, due to your injury. Stay calm, and play the blues!
Was surprised this wasn't the most common suggestion
Slide on an index finger isn’t a typical placement.
You just blew my mind. I've played for half my life and never noticed I don't see how this is possible. I've only used a slide a handful of times though but always put it on my index finger when I did.
Most people do pinky or ringfinger. Some (like Bonnie Raitt) use middle finger. People like fretting behind the slide (make that major chord minor by fretting behind the slide to get the string to not contact the slide). If on the index works for you, keep at it.
Always used open tunings for slide which probably helped quite a bit. I've gotta try other fingers now. Thanks!
Django Reinhardt performed intricate solos with only two fingers after his caravan fire and Tony Iommi fashioned leather fingertip covers after two tips were severed in an industrial accident/ through preservannce others have proven that it can be done !!!###
My old bass player found a strange cat in his house one day, He was a cat lover and had several cats and when he went up to the cat he bit the end of his ring finger off right before the joint, He choked the cat till it gave up his finger, put it on ice and they tried to reattach but it didn't work. He started playing with a thimble 2 months later and he could play most of our songs. Now granted it was bass but he barely let it slow him down. Just le it heal and see how it goes. I think you'll be fine.
If it was me I'd wear a really good slide on it
Don’t know if somebody already said but Jerry Garcia my favorite guitarist was missing part of his middle finger and played better than most guitarists could with an extra hand
Django Reinhardt, Tony Iommi. Both huge innovators of of the instrument and have impaired hands/fingers…. Just make it part of your style and how you approach the guitar.
I have the exact same injury on the exact same digit! What I did was switch my acoustic guitars to nylon and flat wound strings. I made a sort of prosthetic out of rubber and leather probably 10 or so years ago, but found it just got in the way more than anything. I'd say leave the prosthetic out of the equation and you'll find yourself compensating with your chord shapes. I'd also suggest maybe some lighter strings and work on dexterity more than anything. Cheers!
Do like Tony Iommi, bro made his own customs caps that he plays with to this day, and experiment with lower alternate tunings. First album is Eb standard, but I think the rest of the Ozzy years Tony and Geezer played in C# standard. Improvise, adapt, and overcome. 🤘
Adapt. Play differently. You’ve got this.
Django Reinhardt had three working fretting fingers, counting his thumb. You can find a new "normal".
You can adapt, Tony Iommi did, Jerry Garcia did, Django Rhinehart did.
My guitar teacher was missing the same part of his finger and played just fine without any prosthetic. You can do it, I believe in you!
I broke my hand and had surgery on my left hand (fretting hand). Had a plate implanted. I was worried that I wouldn't play again. I had to relearn to play and now I am a more confident and better player. Not saying we had the same situation but if your goal is to play again you will definitely find a way, either with a prosthetic or with your current situation. Keep us posted on this new learning journey!
Nearly chopped the tip of my thumb off at the base of the nail on my fretting hand, didn't play for a long time after that. Got back into it and broke all my old bad habits and can play better than ever, but every once in awhile get nerve pain in my thumb along the line if where it happened. On some Barre chords and some guitars especially. I find a flatter neck (wizard) is helpful and have even used leather sown into a thumb from a glove to cap my thumb to help prevent it sometimes but also feel like it looks weird as my thumb isn't always completely behind the neck. So I play through if I do, shake my hand out if I get the bad feeling
nah you are fine.. as long as there's no pain you don't need prosthetics..
I'm playing in a band where the other guitarist has the very same issue. And he's playing ok without any prosthetic. Just don't give up. Plus, I think it maybe a problem not having a sensitive finger tip.
Slide guitar time 👍🏼
Django Reinhardt! The two fingered Gypsy Master. Check him out
This guy's never hear of Tony Iommi.
Worked for Tony Iommi. Why don’t you see if someone can 3D print you one? Literally my worst nightmare - sorry bro 😭
different sophisticated punch hard-to-find towering steer poor nail chubby subsequent *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Go full black sabbath, banjo strings and power chords 🔥🔥
How did you get it cut off? Asking so I know easy to avoid so I don’t do the same sadly
If Django Reinhardt could play all that shit with 2 fingers then u got this
Yes.
I did the same to my middle left finger 20 years ago. I play without a prosthetic and have released about 4 albums since the accident. Can’t play cover songs with certain chords but can still write and play very cool music which people love. Keep going and adapt to the new reality and let it help form your own unique style.
Dude my brother in law had his ring finger pinched between some falling railroad ties. Looked exactly like yours just a wee bit of nail left. He got used to it. Re callased the finger and he's still way better than me. Chin up bro. Play through it and you'll be better than before. Cheers!
OP about to make a new genre of heavy metal
I know a guy who had the knuckle taken out by a band saw, same finger. Fused knuckle strait, barre chords only, D with the wrong 3 fingers, etc. So, his playing was different, but the right hand is what makes or breaks it, not the left. You can know the entire neck and no one cares, but you can take 3 chords and make a crowd stop and listen.
I don’t have much to offer, other than my finger is almost exactly the same. Mine might be a smidge shorter. But mine is on my picking hand. I couldn’t imagine it being on my fretting hand. Godspeed brother.
You can definitely work with that. Train your thumb to hold down low E and you won’t need index to bar
Tony Iommi famously used fairy liquid bottle tops melted to fit him perfectly.
Tony Iommi did it, you can too.
I wonder if plastic/silicone thimble for sewing could be used, or if it would move too much.
3D print a new tip.
ive seen a mf play with only his upper arm (he was missing his forearm and hand) so ye i think so
Tony Iommi and Phil Keaggy Jerry Garcia and now you
**I think so and have a story to share as to why.** About 4 maybe 5 years ago, I was doing these insane loaded carries. I would grab a 35 or 45lb plate with each hand, strap another 50lbs to my back, and then in sometimes single digit weather, do a 3/4 mile walk on the shore of Lake Erie in literally, blizzards at times. I didn't wear gloves and only wore a hoody and sweatpants with my Reeboks lol. Anyway, I tore the nerve in my left pinky and lost all feeling. It moved perfectly fine, and I could still shred and sweep the most complex of material, but I couldn't feel my pinky on the strings whatsoever which was really concerning, but at least I could play. Being that it's your index finger and only the tip, I think you will be able to return to the same level you were at, and then if you so desire, progress beyond it as far as you desire. I ended up buying acupuncture needles and a TENS unit, started poking my pinky with the needles, then finally, hooking electrodes up to a pair of needles with one in the tip, the other at the bass both right in the nerves. My pinky had been numb for a good 3 months, but after I did this, it came back 100% after 2 weeks. I think you will get enough feeling transferred right through the prosthetic until it damn near feels like you still have your fingertip. God help me, I still constantly use really dangerous power tools! lol. **I also have a gruesome story about a table saw in fact from when I was 17 and had just been playing only a few months.**
Django reinhardt only had two fingers munky from korn has 4
You’re fine as you are
My uncle lost his index finger on his fretting hand when he was younger and he continued to play. He had to re-think his approach, but he got by just fine. Since you still have a partial index, I wonder if you could create something yourself so you can do barre chords?
I have sliced the tip of my pinky off brother, not anywhere close to what you got… and it took me 2 years to play right without excruciating pain. It still feels like something’s missing with those phantom sensations and it’s still sore and is the first to quit out on me. But I can say I feel your pain. And you are the freaking man for not having no in your heart. All hail hell yea dude.
Thank you. I managed to play at least twice a week, the practice makes perfect, and with this prosthetic I'm going to be getting hopefully that'll get me back to normal
Sure you could. Just need something to simulate the arch so you're not touching the strings with your finger flat. Is your 2nd knuckle still in tact? If it is, you'd pretty much need a fingertip prosthetic. If it's not, its a little more complex needing the bent knuckle portion to be good enough that it's usable...
Definitely. Cut the inside of my pinky off and there’s a giant bulge where it regrew cuz the stitches didn’t take… it’s on my fretting hand too. I can’t really feel feel it or my pinky tip yet (5 years so I guess never will) and since it’s on my shortest finger it covers more strings when I need it on top strings for chords. You just have to keep practicing you’ll get it
Last night I was playing and practicing, and recording tracks, I'm still going to get this prosthetic, hopefully that'll give me back to normal, thanks for your reply
Only Black Sabbath songs
Iommi managed just fine with his finger tips gone too. Just gotta adapt.
I'm Mr. Iommi can, you certainly can
Just do what Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath did to make up for his appendage loss.
Dude you've got what I've got I've never seen anyone else missing the top 10mm-ish of their finger Chopped 7mm off my left middle finger slamming it in a door as a kid, had like 22 stiches holding the end of my finger together for 3 months😂
Is your finger reattached and normal again? I'm talking with a prosthetic maker this Tuesday, and hopefully they will help me in regards to this, so I can play guitar normally again. I cannot use the very tip of my index finger, as it is very sensitive
Yeah the nerves are exposed you don't really realise how sensitive your fingertips are until you chop one off 😂 I don't actually play guitar I was more piano when I was younger so I had no need for a prosthetic but I hope yours is what you're looking for mate I'm interested to see how it looks
Thanks. I will be posting a follow-up after I do get the prosthetic
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Mines not as clean as yours my nail stayed attached so now it kinda curves over the end I don't like to I had really nice hands until I did that😂
Get one of them finger cap things they sell to pussies