If I could just snap my fingers...
May 11, 2011 9:25 AM Subscribe
I've never been able to snap my fingers. I've even gone through tutorials on Youtube and all I get is a rubbing sound, no 'snap', no matter how I do it. What am I doing wrong?
As a kid I just dismissed this as "something I can't do" but it's a slow day and I was listening to a song that had some finger-snapping going on and I thought, why can't I do this? So I went and tried for awhile, and it's still definitely not happening. Have tried both hands and it's the same with both.
As a kid I just dismissed this as "something I can't do" but it's a slow day and I was listening to a song that had some finger-snapping going on and I thought, why can't I do this? So I went and tried for awhile, and it's still definitely not happening. Have tried both hands and it's the same with both.
I can do it with my left, but not right hand. I just tried it out. The only thing I can think of is that one of my hands has more muscular fingers.
I don't know which could be which though - maybe more muscles help you snap, maybe they hinder it by giving you less speed. I played guitar so my right or left fingers could conceivably be stronger or more innvervated or something.
posted by Not Supplied at 9:31 AM on May 11, 2011
I don't know which could be which though - maybe more muscles help you snap, maybe they hinder it by giving you less speed. I played guitar so my right or left fingers could conceivably be stronger or more innvervated or something.
posted by Not Supplied at 9:31 AM on May 11, 2011
FWIW I can't do it either, despite laborious instruction and much ridicule from my girlfriend. I believe it is because we have evolved thumbs with softer padding on the tips, better suited to smacking down the spacebar.
posted by Dr Dracator at 9:32 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by Dr Dracator at 9:32 AM on May 11, 2011
Are you aware the "snap" comes from your finger striking the base of your palm? The way I snap my fingers anyway I place the tips of middle finger and thumb together, push them hard together and then slowly slide the thumb out (towards the index finger side) until the middle finger slips past and slaps down on the palm.
posted by nanojath at 9:33 AM on May 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by nanojath at 9:33 AM on May 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
This is probably obvious, but the sound is not made by the thumb and finger rubbing together, but by the finger slapping against your palm when it comes off your thumb. Squeeze your thumb and forefinger together as hard as you can and then let your finger slip off and slap your palm.
posted by dhalgren at 9:33 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by dhalgren at 9:33 AM on May 11, 2011
It's all in the ring finger of your clicking hand which should be pushed into the ball/base of yout thumb. Snap that middle finger hard, vertically down the inside of your thumb until it cracks onto your ring finger nail. *Click!*
posted by R.Stornoway at 9:34 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by R.Stornoway at 9:34 AM on May 11, 2011
The trick is that you can't let the finger slide down the thumb. There must be a gap between finger and thumb from top to bottom. So, finger pressure on top of thumb, let it slide off, but move thumb out of the way simultaneously. Not contact between finger and thumb until it lands. Also, the finger remains at a right angle at the first (larger) joint.
posted by beagle at 9:35 AM on May 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by beagle at 9:35 AM on May 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
It's all in the ring finger of your clicking hand which should be pushed into the ball/base of yout thumb.
And the pinky should also be folded into the palm. Together, the ring and pinky fingers make a tunnel, which amplifies the snap of the middle finger slamming into the end of the tunnel.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 9:40 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
And the pinky should also be folded into the palm. Together, the ring and pinky fingers make a tunnel, which amplifies the snap of the middle finger slamming into the end of the tunnel.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 9:40 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
The trick is that you can't let the finger slide down the thumb.
This, exactly. You have to move your thumb out of the way quickly, so that your finger is striking the flat, taut skin of your palm, not the fleshy, loose skin at the base of your thumb.
Snap that middle finger hard, vertically down the inside of your thumb until it cracks onto your ring finger nail. *Click!*
That is a strange way to snap.
posted by muddgirl at 9:40 AM on May 11, 2011
This, exactly. You have to move your thumb out of the way quickly, so that your finger is striking the flat, taut skin of your palm, not the fleshy, loose skin at the base of your thumb.
Snap that middle finger hard, vertically down the inside of your thumb until it cracks onto your ring finger nail. *Click!*
That is a strange way to snap.
posted by muddgirl at 9:40 AM on May 11, 2011
The reason you put your middle finger against the thumb is to build up tension in your muscles, so when it's released you strike your palm with more force.
Tap your middle finger against the base of your thumb as hard as you can (without putting your actual thumb in the way). You should be able to hear a very light slapping sound.
That's the sound of snapping your fingers, just with not enough force.
Now do the same movement with your middle finger, but put the tip of your thumb in the way. Push your middle finger against the tip of your thumb as hard as you can, then slide your thumb out of the way. You should hit the base of you thumb with your middle finger with enough force to hear a snap.
posted by empath at 9:43 AM on May 11, 2011
Tap your middle finger against the base of your thumb as hard as you can (without putting your actual thumb in the way). You should be able to hear a very light slapping sound.
That's the sound of snapping your fingers, just with not enough force.
Now do the same movement with your middle finger, but put the tip of your thumb in the way. Push your middle finger against the tip of your thumb as hard as you can, then slide your thumb out of the way. You should hit the base of you thumb with your middle finger with enough force to hear a snap.
posted by empath at 9:43 AM on May 11, 2011
I couldn't do it until adulthood. The key for me is to press down on my thumb knuckle with the pad of my middle finger, and keep pressing on the knuckle as I snap my finger from thumb to palm.
(On preview, are there multiple ways to snap? For me the sound comes from the knuckle.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:43 AM on May 11, 2011
(On preview, are there multiple ways to snap? For me the sound comes from the knuckle.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:43 AM on May 11, 2011
I've always been able to snap, but sometimes I can't snap if there is insufficient friction between my thumb and snapping finger - there has to be friction to hold them in place until your muscles are properly tensed to send your finger flying down to your palm. If I slightly wet my finger (slightly so there's some adhesion going on, but not enough that the water makes them slide apart) I can snap again.
Also, are you pressing your finger and thumb together before snapping? As I said, there has to be some tension/friction holding them in place. They can't just slide apart, they must suddenly come apart so your hand muscles are already tensed. That way the tensed muscles accelerate your finger rapidly downward.
posted by Tehhund at 9:45 AM on May 11, 2011
Also, are you pressing your finger and thumb together before snapping? As I said, there has to be some tension/friction holding them in place. They can't just slide apart, they must suddenly come apart so your hand muscles are already tensed. That way the tensed muscles accelerate your finger rapidly downward.
posted by Tehhund at 9:45 AM on May 11, 2011
Not pressing hard enough in the beginning, when your finger is pressing into the thumb?
It's the momentum of the SLAP that makes the noise, so you have to have a moment where the resistance gives way and that force you were pressing with lets fly.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 10:02 AM on May 11, 2011
It's the momentum of the SLAP that makes the noise, so you have to have a moment where the resistance gives way and that force you were pressing with lets fly.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 10:02 AM on May 11, 2011
I always had problems with snapping my fingers, because I am so double jointed that my middle finger would bend back when I tried to snap, and my index finger did not help support it. I finally figured out that the only way I could snap was to brace my middle finger flat behind my ring finger, and then snap my thumb against my braced ring finger.
posted by gudrun at 10:05 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by gudrun at 10:05 AM on May 11, 2011
I could never do it as a kid, and I can still only do it with my left, which is weird because I'm right-handed.
As above, I don't think I ever knew what was actually making the noise. The key is definitely the pressure of thumb against finger before you "let it fly." Press your thumb and middle finger together literally as hard as you can, so you can really feel the tension. Then move the thumb up and the middle finger down.
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:30 AM on May 11, 2011
As above, I don't think I ever knew what was actually making the noise. The key is definitely the pressure of thumb against finger before you "let it fly." Press your thumb and middle finger together literally as hard as you can, so you can really feel the tension. Then move the thumb up and the middle finger down.
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:30 AM on May 11, 2011
I think it is the combination of the slap of the middle finger making contact and the small pocket of air created by the ring finger being expelled upon contact.
Hold your fingers all straight out. first just slap your middle finger against your palm, then rest your ring finger on your palm and then slap your middle finger again, as it strikes both your palm and the ring finger there is a difference in sound. Putting a lot of pressure on the middle finger and thumb before "snapping" just increases the force/speed of the middle finger and thus the sound level.
If you really can not snap your fingers perhaps your ring finger is just not positioned correctly, or perhaps your ring and middle fingers are naturally just too far apart on your hand.
posted by edgeways at 10:43 AM on May 11, 2011
Hold your fingers all straight out. first just slap your middle finger against your palm, then rest your ring finger on your palm and then slap your middle finger again, as it strikes both your palm and the ring finger there is a difference in sound. Putting a lot of pressure on the middle finger and thumb before "snapping" just increases the force/speed of the middle finger and thus the sound level.
If you really can not snap your fingers perhaps your ring finger is just not positioned correctly, or perhaps your ring and middle fingers are naturally just too far apart on your hand.
posted by edgeways at 10:43 AM on May 11, 2011
I've always been able to snap with my left hand, but only sometimes with my right. I eventually figured out it has to do with the position of my ring finger, which has to be positioned so that my middle finger strikes my ring finger and the adjacent palm at the same time.
It's possible to snap against just my palm, without the ring finger, but it takes a lot more force, and tends to smart afterward!
posted by vasi at 10:47 AM on May 11, 2011
It's possible to snap against just my palm, without the ring finger, but it takes a lot more force, and tends to smart afterward!
posted by vasi at 10:47 AM on May 11, 2011
For me the sound comes from the knuckle
Are you sure? That is not how snapping your fingers works.
posted by empath at 10:47 AM on May 11, 2011
Are you sure? That is not how snapping your fingers works.
posted by empath at 10:47 AM on May 11, 2011
It's possible to snap against just my palm, without the ring finger
Oh wow, i just noticed i'm hitting my ring finger. That's true. You need it touching the base of your thumb, as well.
posted by empath at 10:49 AM on May 11, 2011
Oh wow, i just noticed i'm hitting my ring finger. That's true. You need it touching the base of your thumb, as well.
posted by empath at 10:49 AM on May 11, 2011
Let's examine the steps of the process, and then examine the reason for the process.
1) Loosely curl over your pinky and ring finger, like you were trapping a piece of paper to your palm.
2) Extend your index finger to get it out of the way.
3) press the the middle finger's pad against the pad of the thumb, with as much force as you can muster, like you were pinching something horrible to death.
4) Slide the thumb out of the way of the middle finger as quick as you can, without easing up on the pinch!
5) Enjoy the sound of your fingersnap.
The reason why we press the middle finger against the thumb in a ferocious pinch is to accumulate more strength, using our muscles and tendons as a spring ready to release, so the finger slaps your palm with more force once it slips from the thumb.
The other part is that the pinky, ring finger and hollow of the palm are making a resonating chamber, so the sound of your middle finger impacting the part of the palm that moves when your thumb does is amplified. We use the middle finger, because it is in a position where it resonates better, and is longer, and is angled so it can impart more force than the index finger.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:11 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
1) Loosely curl over your pinky and ring finger, like you were trapping a piece of paper to your palm.
2) Extend your index finger to get it out of the way.
3) press the the middle finger's pad against the pad of the thumb, with as much force as you can muster, like you were pinching something horrible to death.
4) Slide the thumb out of the way of the middle finger as quick as you can, without easing up on the pinch!
5) Enjoy the sound of your fingersnap.
The reason why we press the middle finger against the thumb in a ferocious pinch is to accumulate more strength, using our muscles and tendons as a spring ready to release, so the finger slaps your palm with more force once it slips from the thumb.
The other part is that the pinky, ring finger and hollow of the palm are making a resonating chamber, so the sound of your middle finger impacting the part of the palm that moves when your thumb does is amplified. We use the middle finger, because it is in a position where it resonates better, and is longer, and is angled so it can impart more force than the index finger.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:11 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Actually, instead of a death-pinch, imagine you're trying to hold up a heavy but delicate sheet of cardboard.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:14 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:14 AM on May 11, 2011
One thing you can do is get your thumb and index finger slightly wet in order to build up friction (water actually increases friction)
Lets look at breaking down the snap into two separate parts, which can actually be done separately.
The first is using the thumb as a latch, which when removed frees the index finger to slap against the base of your palm. Instead of trying to move the index finger itself, concentrate on moving the thumb itself. Just pinch the thumb and index finger tightly, then, while keeping pressure on the index finger, move the thumb out of the way.
For me, this is enough to get a sound even if I don't do the curling with the fingers thing, but rather then a click I get a slapping sound.
The other part is curling the ring and pinky fingers. This makes a cavity that amplifies the sound. Try curling them to and then hitting them with a finger on the other rather then worrying about the thumb latch thing. You should be able to get a little 'click'.
Then, to do the snap, you combine those two things.
posted by delmoi at 11:24 AM on May 11, 2011
Lets look at breaking down the snap into two separate parts, which can actually be done separately.
The first is using the thumb as a latch, which when removed frees the index finger to slap against the base of your palm. Instead of trying to move the index finger itself, concentrate on moving the thumb itself. Just pinch the thumb and index finger tightly, then, while keeping pressure on the index finger, move the thumb out of the way.
For me, this is enough to get a sound even if I don't do the curling with the fingers thing, but rather then a click I get a slapping sound.
The other part is curling the ring and pinky fingers. This makes a cavity that amplifies the sound. Try curling them to and then hitting them with a finger on the other rather then worrying about the thumb latch thing. You should be able to get a little 'click'.
Then, to do the snap, you combine those two things.
posted by delmoi at 11:24 AM on May 11, 2011
Response by poster: Okay, have been trying a bunch of different things from this thread, and now I think I have it figured out. I went and washed my hands with dish soap first to make sure I was getting as much friction as possible, and then noticed I was able to get a little click a couple times on my right hand. I didn't quite with my left but it was obviously going much better.
Within a few minutes after the hand-washing, I was getting almost no friction again on either hand again, so they'd just kind of rub against each other and nothing. Wetting them definitely did not increase the friction, they had to be just washed and solidly dry to get anything. Very weird. But I think some more practice will do it, so long as I only ever have any reason to snap my fingers immediately after washing my hands and remembering not to put lotion on.
Damned smooth hands, making things difficult! But the advice here was very helpful overall, thanks guys.
posted by gracedissolved at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2011
Within a few minutes after the hand-washing, I was getting almost no friction again on either hand again, so they'd just kind of rub against each other and nothing. Wetting them definitely did not increase the friction, they had to be just washed and solidly dry to get anything. Very weird. But I think some more practice will do it, so long as I only ever have any reason to snap my fingers immediately after washing my hands and remembering not to put lotion on.
Damned smooth hands, making things difficult! But the advice here was very helpful overall, thanks guys.
posted by gracedissolved at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2011
Here's one way to do it.
Here's some other weird technique
posted by chazlarson at 11:39 AM on May 11, 2011
Here's some other weird technique
posted by chazlarson at 11:39 AM on May 11, 2011
FWIW, i've also never been able to snap my fingers & neither can i whistle =(
posted by PepperMax at 11:54 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by PepperMax at 11:54 AM on May 11, 2011
I am surprised to learn that anyone uses their index finger to snap. I see that it's possible, but I've never seen it done that way.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:05 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:05 PM on May 11, 2011
I am surprised to learn that anyone uses their index finger to snap. I see that it's possible, but I've never seen it done that way.
My spouse, who has really broad palms, can snap with his index, middle, AND ring fingers. Trying it now, I can get a pretty definite snap out of my ring finger (although it's not as good as my middle finger snap). I think my index finger is just too close to my thumb.
posted by muddgirl at 12:13 PM on May 11, 2011
My spouse, who has really broad palms, can snap with his index, middle, AND ring fingers. Trying it now, I can get a pretty definite snap out of my ring finger (although it's not as good as my middle finger snap). I think my index finger is just too close to my thumb.
posted by muddgirl at 12:13 PM on May 11, 2011
Within a few minutes after the hand-washing, I was getting almost no friction again on either hand again, so they'd just kind of rub against each other and nothing.
I think you still don't understand. The sound comes from your middle finger hitting your palm and ring finger. There's no sound at all from your middle finger and thumb.
posted by empath at 12:55 PM on May 11, 2011
I think you still don't understand. The sound comes from your middle finger hitting your palm and ring finger. There's no sound at all from your middle finger and thumb.
posted by empath at 12:55 PM on May 11, 2011
For those who say the sound comes from the finger striking the palm: I think you're nuts. When I snap there is sound, but my finger doesn't contact my palm at all. In fact, if I cover my palm with something, the sound is still there.
I think the sound comes from friction and the sudden displacement of air. But what do I know?
posted by tacodave at 12:56 PM on May 11, 2011
I think the sound comes from friction and the sudden displacement of air. But what do I know?
posted by tacodave at 12:56 PM on May 11, 2011
In fact, if I don't hit my palm, i get no snap at all, and if I left my ring finger up, I barely get a sound. It's definitely from your middle finger hitting the spot where you ring finger rests on the palm.
posted by empath at 1:17 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by empath at 1:17 PM on May 11, 2011
I don't know... I did as suggested in empath's link and folded a Kleenex in half repeatedly until it made a thick wad. I then (awkwardly) held it under my middle finger while snapping and the sound was equally loud, but followed by a padded *thud*.
I'm not convinced. I'm not saying it can't be true, I'm just saying that I'm not convinced.
posted by tacodave at 3:28 PM on May 11, 2011
I'm not convinced. I'm not saying it can't be true, I'm just saying that I'm not convinced.
posted by tacodave at 3:28 PM on May 11, 2011
The sound comes from your middle finger trapping a pocket of air between the heel of your palm and your ring finger. You want friction, by the way. Make sure your ring finger is touching your palm. Press the pad of your middle finger against your thumb and hold the pressure. Now move your thumb sideways pretty fast so your middle finger snaps down to where your ring finger touches the heel of your palm. If you still don't hear a noise then your ring finger is too far away.
posted by enamon at 3:28 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by enamon at 3:28 PM on May 11, 2011
Don't worry about the friction...you can do it with no friction.
Put your middle finger and thumb together and press them together as hard as you can. Press your middle finger so that its direction of force is towards your palm. You can practice this by slapping your middle finger against the inside of your palm. Once your fingers are pressed against each other, move the thumb out of the way and let the middle finger "snap" down, keep applying force downwards in the direction of your palm after removing the thumb.
posted by Sonic_Molson at 5:07 PM on May 11, 2011
Put your middle finger and thumb together and press them together as hard as you can. Press your middle finger so that its direction of force is towards your palm. You can practice this by slapping your middle finger against the inside of your palm. Once your fingers are pressed against each other, move the thumb out of the way and let the middle finger "snap" down, keep applying force downwards in the direction of your palm after removing the thumb.
posted by Sonic_Molson at 5:07 PM on May 11, 2011
I can't snap my fingers, either. Even after following all the instructions posted in this thread!
posted by lucy.jakobs at 8:09 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by lucy.jakobs at 8:09 PM on May 11, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
I then move my middle finger in towards my ring finger and my thumb outwards, towards my pointer finger, and then SNAP!
It's not terribly loud, but a snap nonetheless. Good luck.
posted by elder18 at 9:31 AM on May 11, 2011