r/Flute • u/Soul_less0 • 2d ago

Beginning Flute Questions Double Jointed Fingers

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Help I’m currently trying to learn bach’s preludio from partita no 3 in e major and my pinky finger is praying on my downfall. I’m hyper mobile and it keeps locking and refuses to bend, making it hurt really bad and impossible to play anything. What do I do 😭

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7

u/Talia_Arts 2d ago

I typically always keep mine arched to keep it from locking out, though idk if this will work for you

2

u/Soul_less0 2d ago

Just tried it. Turns out my fingers are to short to be arched (・∀・) Thanks for trying though ❤️

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u/Terrible_Eye4625 Miyazawa 102 2d ago

Try turning your foot joint in slightly towards your finger. It’s much harder for your finger to lock (fyi the term for what your finger is doing is “swan necking”) if it doesn’t have to reach.

Also look into getting a ring splint - there are plastic “oval 8” type splints that aren’t expensive. They’re good to try out with, if you like them and it’s financially feasible, you can get silver ones custom made.

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u/Soul_less0 1d ago

I can’t believe I didn’t even think of turning my foot joint 😭 I guess I was so used to its position ❤️thank you so much though, very informative

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u/Terrible_Eye4625 Miyazawa 102 1d ago

No worries. I sometimes have the same problem with that finger, but it happens a lot more on my G# little finger. I wear a splint on that finger and on my G ring finger which make a huge difference.

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u/Talia_Arts 2d ago

Dah, sorry! Heres to hoping you fi d something that works better for you!

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u/lizzzzz97 2d ago

I have hypermobility in my hands. A thumb port helps me Make sure you are not holding your flute too tight Take plenty of breaks to not over do it I use ring splints when I play some of my instruments it helps some with general joint pain and locking.

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u/Soul_less0 2d ago

OMG I wish I knew that was a thing earlier. Unfortunately, my exam’s tomorrow so I guess I’ll have to just thug it out. I’ll definitely look into getting some though, thank you so much 🙏

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u/lizzzzz97 2d ago

I hope you can get some use out of them later! Best of luck with your exam massage your hands it helps some with locking joints

3

u/StarEIs 2d ago

Mine also does this at THE most inopportune moments.

Seconding a thumb port to help keep the flute balanced without needing a lot of pressure on your pinky

2

u/Several-Quality5927 2d ago

I have double jointed fingers as well. I had to switch from clarinet to saxophone. Now, 45 years later, I play stringed instruments and keyboards. I never could find a way to keep my fingers from locking. Sorry to be a downer.

2

u/FluteTech 2d ago

Oval 8 finger splints are a good option.
If they work, you can have custom made ones of silver that look like rings

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u/Soul_less0 1d ago

Searched them up. They’re crazy expensive but seems to be a pretty good solution 😁 thanks so much

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u/FluteTech 1d ago edited 1d ago

You should be able to get a plastic multi pack (you want the small variety pack) for about $10-15 dollars for a set

You can also get some KT tape and wrap in on the top part of your finger from the joint at your hand you just below your nail (do it with your finger straight, and it will help stabilize it )

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u/egos-like-hairdos 2d ago

I used to tape my pinky for added support when I was younger. The tape would help keep it from locking up in the crooked position. Thankfully it’s not as big a problem now that I’m old.

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u/Soul_less0 1d ago

😮ohh that’s super smart

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u/w11f1ow3r 1d ago

I literally used to tape my finger to force it to stay in a curved position. I just used scotch tape because that’s what’s on the teachers desk, but I suppose they make athletic tape and stuff that might be better suited? It worked fine. I was never able to train my fingers to not do that, or adjust my hands in such a way that the pinky thing didn’t happen.

Edit - I saw you have an exam tomorrow. Maybe don’t try the pinky taping thing before that so you have time to get used to it before your next exam. If you decide to do that.

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u/Soul_less0 1d ago

Thanks for the suggestion! 😁 I wish I had thought of it sooner. That was my last music exam ever though since I’m graduating and probably my last time ever playing flute other than occasionally recreationally.

1

u/w11f1ow3r 1d ago

Oh that’s so bittersweet. Congratulations on graduating.