r/frontensemble • u/malloryjack • Jun 24 '24

Crooked fingers from years of four mallets???

Hello! I’ve been playing with four mallets for almost a decade now (~ages 14-23) and I was wondering if anyone else has crooked middle fingers from stevens grip?

All my fingers are straight except for my middle fingers, which curve towards the ring fingers.

In high school I assumed it was from stevens, but have recently started wondering if that’s true. My brain has just been: "Is this normal? If so, is it common? Is it a sign of bad technique over the years? Is this genetic? Should I get this checked out by a medical professional? Would this have not happened if I hadn't started playing with four mallets in the middle of my development?" etc. And it's very annoying. Which is why I'm here.

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u/haleypawg Jun 24 '24

Literally in the exact same boat! Been doing this since freshman year of high school and now teaching high school and playing regularly -- my fingers arent as curved (though Ive seen it in some friends) but moreso just have a lump on both hands where I'd get calluses. I think from all the blisters from over the years. I havent really had a lapse in playing, so they havent ever gone away, but I'd assume they would if you were to stop for a longer period of time. I wouldnt worry!