u/BotCo_Teum

Howdy, frequent viewer, first time posting. I’ve been learning to play mandolin for about 2.5 years. I practice very consistently. I love the instrument and I’ve been lucky to have acquired some very nice ones to play. I probably should add I’m 65, never played an instrument until now. 15-20 years back I laid down a motorbike that pretty much crushed my left ring finger. Docs put titanium and screws and did a heckuva job with what they had to work with. Only issue is my finger does not bend at the last digit? (Is digit right?) I can’t make a tight fist if that helps visualize. Not really a problem until I started trying to learn mandolin. At first, learning two finger chords I was ok…as I progress though I’m finding this to be limiting. I can’t get it down on top strings and 4 finger chop chords not being able to come down on the string at a proper angle, I’m muting subsequent strings. I’ve thought about asking an orthopedic doc about it, see if I have any options. I’ve tried to come up with a contraption that extends that finger in a downward position, that has offered some success on some chords where that finger is hit the G or D strings, but Im still not able to hit the E and A well. I’m I destined to be a two finger player? When picking melodies that finger works ok, but having to sorta come down with the finger to fret the note properly, causes my index and middle fingers to come off the fretboard more than they should, I’m sure I suffer in speed. I’ve tried to make the pinky work harder, and feel like that’s where I need to go with this, and a better understanding of chord structure will certainly help I think with that. But I figure someone out there has or knows of someone with similar issues and smarter than me, and more talented than me, figured out a work around. Thank you for looking, all input is greatly appreciated.