Does anyone here have bent 5th fingers?

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

I think I made a topic on this earlier, but I think I didn't word it correctly. I wanted to ask if there was anyone here with a bent 5th finger. I meant that it bent towards the 4th finger. Does anyone have it on other fingers? Do they also bend? The condition is known as "clinodactyly." For those that do have it, has it bothered you?

[ccnokes]

I have that on my toes.  And yes it can be irritating when I play.   

[debussy symbolism]

So you have them on your hands as well? Irritating in what way?

[kriskicksass]

While my fingers are all almost perfectly straight, a friend of mine has pinkies that bend sharply away from his other fingers at the last joint. He says that it helps him to voice outer notes because his pinkies are so strong. I say my pinkies voice better than his do, and they don't look disgusting! 

[debussy symbolism]

While my fingers are all almost perfectly straight, a friend of mine has pinkies that bend sharply away from his other fingers at the last joint. He says that it helps him to voice outer notes because his pinkies are so strong. I say my pinkies voice better than his do, and they don't look disgusting! 

Yeah, I think many people actually have this quality. Mines are a little bit bent too. Not a whole lot. Hey, I find that I can easily voice chords too, although I think that finger shape doesn't play a role here. You have bent fingers too. I think that alot more people have them.

[dabbler]

With me it's not the 5th, but the 2nd fingers of both hands. The part with the finger nail is noticeably bent towards the 3rd. Doesn't help me to play faster scales (or the like) but hasn't bothered me, either, so far. However, the word "clinodactyly" instantly made me feel sick (I'm kind of hypochondric). I hope my 2nd's won't fall off soon --- so many plans on the piano still. So what is known about the condition, or why are you interested in it?

[elevateme]

my 3rds bent towards the 2nd in both hands

[debussy symbolism]

Its just a genetic quality. Some people have it some don't. Doesn't really matter.

[kevink]

I've got it pretty severely in my fourth and fifth fingers.  In fact, all my fingers slant inwards towards my thumb; when I curl my fingers they end up forming almost a 45 degree angle with ray formed by my forearm.  My fifth finger is pretty much opposable like my thumb; I can bend both of them completely and touch the tips together.  My pinky looks like my thumb when I do this.

I have had to adapt in some ways to this in my playing, but there are SO many different kinds of hands, that I feel better trying to focus on my strengths.  I have large hands and long fingers--so other things come easily to me that are difficult for people with small hands. 

Sometimes I get into a funk about my "bunch of bananas" but I think this is primarily a psychological thing...  do you think it might be psychological for you? 

best wishes,
kevin

[debussy symbolism]

Psychological definately. I used to worry that because my pinky curved a little I would miss notes. Heck, after practicing I didn't miss any notes. I think it is primarily psychological and I am surprised that many people have this quality. Yes, there are many types of hands and fingers and that in itself doesn't constitute to playing, except maybe small hands, but that problem again can be solved.

[steve jones]

Yep, me too. I have the old funky fifth finger.

I used to think it was a problem, but now I dont. If anything, my pinkies are proportionally short to the rest of my fingers, so I guess that is more an issue.

I can solve neither of them, so I guess I have to make do! Generally, my hands are pretty well suited to the task at hand.

SJ

[nocturnelover]

Hello, I'm new and have quite a bent in my fifth finger and if I push it it can almost be horizontal, that is the top part where the nail is. My pinkie bends towards my fourth finger which also bends in the same direction but then my third finger at the top where the nail is bends in the opposite direction. My fingers are very weirdly flexible though.

[ichiru]

Mine is bending slightly and becomes very stiff when used to press the keys. I tried to get it stronger by playing a certain jelly ball to streghten fingers (not just for the 5th but for all of the fingers too) but I don't really know if it works effectively. Any suggestion about streghtening fingers? And my 5th is about 3cm shorter than the 4th. Is that quite normal?

[debussy symbolism]

Mine is bending slightly and becomes very stiff when used to press the keys. I tried to get it stronger by playing a certain jelly ball to streghten fingers (not just for the 5th but for all of the fingers too) but I don't really know if it works effectively. Any suggestion about streghtening fingers? And my 5th is about 3cm shorter than the 4th. Is that quite normal?

Your finger is normal yes. However it becoming stiff during practice is probably a result of tension. Make sure that at all time when you are playing your finger is relaxed.

[debussy symbolism]

So does anyone else here have bent 5th fingers?

[marco_from_brazil]

hm, I have no fingers, but tentacles. nope, hasn't bothered me so far.

[debussy symbolism]

hm, I have no fingers, but tentacles. nope, hasn't bothered me so far.

So I am taking it that your's are curved. Is it a drastic curve? I hope not.

[marco_from_brazil]

no no, I was just making a slapstick joke. i guess my 2nd and 3rd fingers are slightly bent outwards. oh my, maybe I shouldn't quit the day job

[soliloquy]

In a relaxed position, my L5 and R5 point slightly away from the center of my hand (or the respective L4/R4). 

[jehangircama]

both my 3rds are bent towards the 4ths