It's your finger & worth the investment. Glad it worked out for you. I'm new to all this but really happy with my investment. When I was 3 years old, I lost 1/4 of my left middle finger to a dog bite. I would appreciate any help at all so much. I cutted the tip of my index finger at work, about half a nail of finger (size).I haven't played guitar yet because I'm recovering, but I'm curious about this.There seems the be a search for prosthetics or some sort of protection, I know Toni Iommi made his own tips, and I see people here use them.So my question is, since I haven't experienced playing yet, what are the biggest issues that make you need a prostetic/finger protector, is it because of the pain or is it that the finger is too short? https://www.facebook.com/galaxyguitarfingerprotectors, https://www.facebook.com/credneprosthetics/. If you can wear the slide on your first finger, then you might be able to "barre" with the slide and use your other fingers … I am interested, I lost my first joint from nail on me left middle hand in a industrial accident, I want to learn the guitar and having a hard time with the finger getting in the way. Sure, it is a little more money for the custom protector, but to me it was well worth the cost. They told me to put adhesive foam strips inside of it to tighten it up. What a great idea this was because now the fit is perfect. Total waist of $140.00, Answer Form #2 – The Mini Bar “A” Chord So i just came across this idea of taping my fingers … Curious if anyone else has the same issue? Answer While rehearsing is extensive, extra training will cause rankles while you are first beginning to play guitar. Yes, you got that right because we are not lying! Question by Alan (Japan) I read your sound advice about not parroting your inspirations for guitar and agree wholeheartedly. The first, pictured above, is with your thumb directly under the neck; this is de facto in classical guitar technique—try otherwise with a classically trained teacher and be prepared to receive a earful. The attached pics are showing the gap to be filled with foam weather stripping. Hope this helps you, Good Luck. I still use their 5/8's, if your finger is larger you may want to check out their larger offering. I also warm it up sometimes to expand the core for weekends where I play for hours with my band an the finger swells. DON'T TAPE YOUR FINGERS. Try moving up to the next gauge set of strings, you can also buy custom gauge string sets, specific strings are a bit heavier see if that helps you. My product is not for everybody, but have several satisfied customers world wide. My finger protector does measure 3/4's in circumference. Tap with your 1st finger on your right hand, and hold your pick with your 2nd finger and thumb. You could probably learn left handed . Unfortunately there are not returns no exceptions. I recently noticed that a new FT-1 flex has come out as well as customized versions. I am into Gaming I use it as well makes me faster. now i lost the tip of my middle finger fretting hand, i used some of that morphplast, plastic pellets you melt in hot water, not hot enough to burn your finger, so you can form it over your digit, let it run under cold water"quicker" then superglue a leather pad on the tip. I was so young when it happened that the injury never really bothered me as I was so used to it. I purchased a Finger Protector from Galaxy Guitar Products an after 1 month I am back to playing my Les Paul & keyboards. Your middle finger should be fine. Reply I play faster more precise with no pain. I've been playing for 50 years and have never heard about taping your fingers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. i cut off about half an inch from my ring finger and nipped my middle finger on my fret hand. If you want to play solos, slide may be your best bet. For work typing on a laptop all day no more pain. By the end, we believe you have learned all the necessary details of how to tape your fingers for guitar playing. Try rolling the index finger towards the nut (so your pinky rises away from the fretboard). “The better the guitar player, the more they’ve played, the more years they have under their belt, the more they practice, the lighter they play.” IT’S ALL IN THE STRINGS. The new ones have an acrylic exterior finish, I like it better. Does anyone know why Kirk Hammett of Metallica always seems to have what looks like white electrical tape around his hand while playing?? https://www.wikihow.com/Position-Your-Fingers-on-Guitar-Strings The Galaxy tip gives me about 1/2 inch length back. if you have quite a bit missing from your finger you can build it up with wax then form the tip over that worked for me. Over time, stretching can significantly increase your reach, even with short fingers. A lot of sanding but i am getting better at it. Tony Iommi says in an interview that he did try learning to play the guitar with the other hand, but abandoned it, thinking that he'd been playing for very long already (about 3 years by then). You might not like this answer, but it'll definately have you playing chords again though it might take a few years, if you're a righty, switch over to lefty and learn over again, do it the iommi way. It arrived and its crazy big and thats an understatement. 1. Clearly one could scan, 3D model, and 3D print moulds, or even try 3D flexible filament, but I prefer the hands-on approach. Pictures would help but i need length & diameter. I am truly grateful to be able to play my bass guitar after not playing for over a year from losing 2 tips of my fingers. Thanks for the links Anthony, The Galaxy Guitar Finger Protectors have worked for me for over 7 years now. You need to build the callouses up on your fingers and it just takes a little time to do that. I got a list of materials from my dentist to make a mold of my finger & then use acrylic mix to make the extension. Interchange your training days. I sliced my finger tip off with a razor blade while working on a circuit board. Then while staying on the high E, place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret and do an up stroke. Unfortunately, the sweet spot is likely to be even more tender than the "center" of the finger. Finger position: When fretting a string, use just the very tip of your finger, making sure your finger is arched, pointing straight down onto your fretboard (perpendicular). How to Build a Model House With Foam Board. Taping may provide protection, but can cause difficulty when playing as your fingers may slip off the strings or cause disruption in the pressure on the other strings. I lost 1/4 inch off my middle finger & really missed playing my guitar. Ive lost around 1cm of my middle fretting finger. 1 year ago. 2. Just sayn. If anybody is interested let me know & i will do my best to help. The Galaxy FT-1 Tips have worked for me for years without one I cannot play. Tapping, also called tap style (tapstyle), touch-style, and two-handed tapping, is a guitar playing technique where a string is fretted and set into vibration as part of a single motion of being tapped onto the fretboard, with either hand, as opposed to the standard technique of fretting with one hand and picking with the other. However, i am unable to play some of the chords properly as my fingers are very fat and as a result mute the strings. It sounds like you might be pressing your finger at the wrong angle. i have also used banjo picks with band aids wraped around them but these get in the way when i play chords. Thanks posting. My dominant hand is the right one so, I use left for frets. Reply Lead playing becomes a pain, but it can be done also. I need measurements & pics. You will still enjoy unobstructed guitar playing and clean execution. Hi Paul. Practicing consistently gives your fingers time to build calluses and toughness. I know this is old but if your serious and can still do this I'm seriously interested I chopped off the tip of my right hand pointer finger when I was 2 years old I don't remember in 26 now but I would love to have a fake fingertip so it wouldn't look so funny when I have my nails done but there so expensive even the silicone ones u just pop on r hundreds of dollars. I tried cheap silicone tips sold on Amazon they did not work for me an ended up in the garbage a waste. send to dungbusted@gmail.com. The steady weight from the guitar strings reasons torment and frequently draining or rankles. If it's a new injury to you, and you already know how to play, then try the Galaxy prosthetic or make your own.Good luck! Next you'll use your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret with a down stroke. It wasn’t perfect but showed promise. They will make you a prosthectic finger that will stay on very tight without glue, and they will put a rubberized coating on it and you'll pay about $150 for it (your ring finger) and it will work just like you never lost the tip of your finger. (sorry) length from first joint to tips, Circumference, diameter & anything else you have. If you're in a bind and wanna play like NOW, don't wanna wait for shipment to resume playing then yo can take red silicone...gasket maker , clear silicone will work but red is more rubberized. If you look at a piano (I’m oversimplifying here) it’s basically just a bunch of buttons. Still maybe a little intonation issues but way better. Thus you may execute the entire work all your own by applying the knowledge practically. Based on the positive comments here from other people on that company maybe it is just a mis-measure really no reason to trash them IMO. You should tape your fingers, and if you would prefer not to lose a day of rehearsing, you can utilize clinical tape or gauzes to secure your fingertips. Concentrate on your "fretting hand" (the hand closest to the neck of the guitar, when sitting in proper position). So it'll hurt more at first. When you know how to play guitar chords correctly you should be able to feel the wind blow through the space between your fingers and the fretboard. This will allow your fingertips to build up calluses and become more resistant to all the strain. I am trying to come up with a way to measure other people's fingers. It just needs to heal for a couple of months. I have not been on for a while. Dear 69,  I would like to know what company you are referring to. Stretch between your fingers in the same manner. Plus, they only last for 2 to 5 years under normal usage. I have one and now I can play the guitar perfectly. I also discovered it kind of made me more precise in my playing. If you could manage to do so, then you are good to go! I did some research on the net and went through some videos but none were of much help. Give it a good 10-15 minutes a day so you don’t push those fingertips too hard at first and regret it later. no sharp notes for me. 3. Since then I ordered a few extra finger protectors from them as spares. The fact is that it is technically very challenging to play extra notes higher up the neck without losing your hand position altogether. I truly wish you all find a solution as I have for your finger challenges and want to give thanks here. If you want to kick it up a notch, a great and fun exercise is to play Louie Louie with bar chords without the thumb on the neck (and with it on the neck too). Replacing can allow your arms to frame calluses, to defend them. We don't have any such companies around here. This new one is their new black stealth force model with gold stripes. The FT-1 allows me to play. I put on my Galaxy Guitar FT-1 Prosthetic, I have 6 spares now. Fingerpicking For BEGINNERS! Create calluses. I ordered it and was able to start learning to play. Much better for me. I find my playing is more nimble since using the Galaxy fingertip prosthetic. For proper fit, first determine your finger size. Rock on. The best thing to do is play more guitar. Relax into your posture: If you are having to contort your arm and wrist into all sorts of strange positions to get this right, then try and hold your hand in position and relax your body and arm (while keeping your hand in as good a position as you can). Get the right strings. If you play any instrument and have a severe finger injury as I do, let the pro's make you one. Plus, guitar strings will cut right through them. I thought at first I just needed to get used to applying less pressure as the notes are always sharp. I lost both Distal phalanx, Middle phalanx of my index finger. Guitar Silicone Finger Protector Covers - 5 Color Fingertip Protection Covers Caps in 5 Sizes for Beginner Playing Ukulele Electric Guitar and 10 Guitar … I took up playing guitar when I was around 10. Start out by putting your first finger on the high E-string on the 1st fret with a down stroke. By doing this, we can hear each note clearly and the chord rings out. The graft went wrong and I lost the tip, which made guitar and bass playing a bit uncomfortable. I also had to stop violin playing altogether so switched to sax. Practicing your guitar frequently and consistently is the best way to toughen up your fingers and build those protective calluses. The maximum loss per finger is 1/2 in. I too did a Google & Bing search on Tony Iommi Finger Protector that quickly led me to Galaxy Guitar Products. Don't let an injury discourage you from your goals and dreams. After a few emails back & forth with them, their helpful professional techs assisted me, I have been using their FT-1 Finger Protector ever since & now have about 5 as spares & a brand new FT-1 XL which they came out with that provides me just a bit more length. He sums that up by saying that if he knew then what he knows now, he'd have re-learnt to play the guitar with the other hand; according to him in the long run it would have been much better than the use of prosthetic finger tips. No Pain! Gambling guitar is a maximum cherished distraction for some, but the finger torment related to gambling regularly turns individuals off. My experience was- once I became used to both they feel very natural for me now, no pain & a bit more length. If anybody wants to try i would make one for nothing. They fit good, seems they updated the exterior finish. [1] X Research source For example, you might try having a dozen 10-minute pra… 2. For the first time since my Dyna took half my middle finger. I had tried going to a lesson once, but the instructor couldn't figure out how to adjust for my smaller digit. It permits you to keep chipping away at muscle reminiscence while giving your hands an essential spoil. 2. If anyone needs to do research I found my solution on this forum & on these pages https://galaxyguitar.com/ft1.html & here https://www.facebook.com/galaxyguitarfingerprotectors. How to Make a Clay Mold for Metal Casting, How to Make a Spiderman Mask Out Of Paper, How to Clean Outdoor Brass Light Fixtures. Tapping is the primary technique intended for some … Finally, use the pinky or 4th finger on the 4th fret and do an up stroke. Might be easy to say, but: Don't give up! 6 years ago. Let the pros do it and fork out a little cash. any help would be great thanks. If you’re interested I can detail the process more precisely. It is the ideal technique to make sure your arms simultaneously gambling the guitar, and it will occur after some time. This is the preferred remedy of choice. I am so pleased with the result. When I was a baby, the tip of the middle finger on my left hand was caught in a door and severed. If you cut off more than the tip not sure if you will have the same pain if at all but it seems obvious you will need what is called a finger extension. Build your calluses. D.J. Get on the phone and call up every prosthetic company in your area and find one who does fingers. I just received my galaxy ft-1 xl last week and have the same problem with intonation. 2 years ago. Guitar requires you to actually touch the part of the instrument that generates the tone (the string). But watch how long you do it. I also wanted the leather cover to cover just beyond the tip of my finger. If your answer is yes, we want to assure you that this entire article is specifically dedicated to the readers just like you. I have fat fingers. Hi Paul, I do not have that problem, I can play bar chords, Jazz chords, if you press down hard I guess it could. 9 months ago. I lost about 1/2 inch on my middle finger years ago hitching up a trailer, two of my fingers are a bit fatter from the accident.