I have this defect too. Of the 7 people I've seen with this (including myself), at least 5 are guitarists (including myself). Not bass, not banjo, not trumpet. I find this eerie. Does this defect drive other things we may not be aware of? I think we should all get together and have a convention so we can compare notes.
It may. I've got a LOT to say, so please bear with me. A lot on my mind tonight! I also wonder about genetic components that may affect it. I was just writing on a forum about MTHFR, as I recently have had great success with some supplements after being diagnosed as compound heterozygous for mutations of the MTHFR gene. I also was born with Horner's syndrome, an extra half a vertebrate, and one kidney (renal agenesis), and it makes me wonder if I have the so called VACTERL syndrome. VACTERL stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. Usually people with VACTERL syndrome will present with 3 or more of these. So for me...vertebral defect, check. Limb abnormality, check. Renal anomaly, check. I wonder how many people with hypoplastic thumb have concomitant defects? I've been planning another video on thumb hypoplasia and my experience as a guitarist over the last 19 years. I have managed to figure out how to use my thumb to fret notes in a limited capacity, but it was a hard pill to swallow when I realized Jimi Hendrix, one of my favorite guitarists, as well as Leo Kottke, my other favorite guitarist, both use their thumb extensively to fret notes. I actually recently downsized all my strings, and make my own custom gauges. I've used my skills as a guitar technician to my advantage, meticulously working on all my guitars, going so far as pulling the frets on all of them, planing the fingerboard to my specifications, and re-fretting them. And setting them up with ridiculously low action and ridiculously light strings, just so I can play. With regular .009 gauge strings, for example, I need to tune down to D standard for it to feel comfortable. I also have *major* issues playing for extended periods of time with my thumb behind the neck, and my strength on bar chords is so low, unless I have ZERO relief in the neck AND very low action AND very light strings, I simply can't do it. Anyway. I do wonder how this affects other things too. If I wasn't agoraphobic, I'd totally be down for a convention. I have never met anyone else in my entire life with a hypoplastic thumb and it's such an odd problem to have, i'm still realizing new ways it affects my life, and I'm 33. Would love to know more about your experiences! Sorry for the rant! Just a lot on my mind tonight and am pretty amped up. Definitely was interested when I saw your comment. Not many like us out here!
I feel fortunate my case is mild. I plan on making another video about this going a bit more in depth. I did not have surgery either. I think mine classified as Type 2 thumb hypoplasia from what I've read online. I was unaware of it until I started playing guitar and realized I couldn't use my thumb to fret notes. And also that I needed much lighter strings and low action so I could play. Heavier strings just felt impossible. Had no idea. I think my case flew under the radar as it's not obvious like more severe thumb hypoplasia. Is your case much more obvious? Again, I feel lucky I have Type 2, I know in some the thumb is just completely absent altogether.
I have this as well and I hate it, especially when I have to write out of nowhere it just goes up and down and mess my handwriting, and its really sensitive, i really want to get surgery but I feel like it would be a waste of money
What type do you have? I surmise that I have type II, as you can see in the video. Very limited mobility and no muscle at the base of the thumb but it's more function than many others with thumb hypoplasia have. Very curious which hand you have it on (dominant or non dominant?) and how severely it affects you. Let me know if you can! And sorry for the late reply!
I have this defect too. Of the 7 people I've seen with this (including myself), at least 5 are guitarists (including myself). Not bass, not banjo, not trumpet. I find this eerie. Does this defect drive other things we may not be aware of? I think we should all get together and have a convention so we can compare notes.
It may. I've got a LOT to say, so please bear with me. A lot on my mind tonight!
I also wonder about genetic components that may affect it. I was just writing on a forum about MTHFR, as I recently have had great success with some supplements after being diagnosed as compound heterozygous for mutations of the MTHFR gene.
I also was born with Horner's syndrome, an extra half a vertebrate, and one kidney (renal agenesis), and it makes me wonder if I have the so called VACTERL syndrome. VACTERL stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. Usually people with VACTERL syndrome will present with 3 or more of these.
So for me...vertebral defect, check. Limb abnormality, check. Renal anomaly, check. I wonder how many people with hypoplastic thumb have concomitant defects?
I've been planning another video on thumb hypoplasia and my experience as a guitarist over the last 19 years. I have managed to figure out how to use my thumb to fret notes in a limited capacity, but it was a hard pill to swallow when I realized Jimi Hendrix, one of my favorite guitarists, as well as Leo Kottke, my other favorite guitarist, both use their thumb extensively to fret notes.
I actually recently downsized all my strings, and make my own custom gauges. I've used my skills as a guitar technician to my advantage, meticulously working on all my guitars, going so far as pulling the frets on all of them, planing the fingerboard to my specifications, and re-fretting them.
And setting them up with ridiculously low action and ridiculously light strings, just so I can play. With regular .009 gauge strings, for example, I need to tune down to D standard for it to feel comfortable. I also have *major* issues playing for extended periods of time with my thumb behind the neck, and my strength on bar chords is so low, unless I have ZERO relief in the neck AND very low action AND very light strings, I simply can't do it.
Anyway. I do wonder how this affects other things too. If I wasn't agoraphobic, I'd totally be down for a convention. I have never met anyone else in my entire life with a hypoplastic thumb and it's such an odd problem to have, i'm still realizing new ways it affects my life, and I'm 33.
Would love to know more about your experiences! Sorry for the rant! Just a lot on my mind tonight and am pretty amped up. Definitely was interested when I saw your comment. Not many like us out here!
I have this too! and I play guitar, and it actually gets in the way while playing the guitar but in general, it hurts a lot.
I was born with thumb hypoplasia. I had no pollicization when I was in my early infancy.
I feel fortunate my case is mild. I plan on making another video about this going a bit more in depth. I did not have surgery either. I think mine classified as Type 2 thumb hypoplasia from what I've read online.
I was unaware of it until I started playing guitar and realized I couldn't use my thumb to fret notes. And also that I needed much lighter strings and low action so I could play. Heavier strings just felt impossible.
Had no idea. I think my case flew under the radar as it's not obvious like more severe thumb hypoplasia. Is your case much more obvious? Again, I feel lucky I have Type 2, I know in some the thumb is just completely absent altogether.
I have this as well and I hate it, especially when I have to write out of nowhere it just goes up and down and mess my handwriting, and its really sensitive, i really want to get surgery but I feel like it would be a waste of money
Why not turn the guitar 180°, with the headstock pointing to the rigth of the bench? 😅
BRO i have it too but my thumb looks smaller than yours.I mean does it grow bigger when u grow up?
Omg i have this 😔 sometimes it is painful
What type do you have? I surmise that I have type II, as you can see in the video. Very limited mobility and no muscle at the base of the thumb but it's more function than many others with thumb hypoplasia have.
Very curious which hand you have it on (dominant or non dominant?) and how severely it affects you. Let me know if you can! And sorry for the late reply!
Hello Brother, Did you do any surgery to improve functions of Thumb.
Kindly tell us it will be very helpful
No, though I have heard some people have, usually in infancy. I didn't know I had this until much later but never had any surgery done for it
@@guitar_md Whether one can bend IP joint of thumb after surgery
@@deepasamy6462 I'd be curious as well. I can only very slightly bend my thumb at the IP joint
@@guitar_md You can get the Treatment to get full flexibility know brother
Cheers. Lol
Cheers 🍺
Sweet birth defect!
Thanks bro I appreciate you 🙏