Whether it is to call a waiter or to accompany your favorite music, there is nothing like knowing how to make a precise and sonorous snap of the fingers. Snapping your fingers isn't for everyone, but with a little practice you should get it. Start today and you'll get there, hopefully, in a snap.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Make a simple snap of your fingers
Step 1. Squeeze your thumb with your middle finger
Start by placing the tip of your middle finger on the fleshy part at the base of the thumb. It is not the tip of the finger that should snap, but the fleshy part of the finger on the fleshy part of the base of the thumb. A good tip for finding the right snap position is to bend your middle finger over the base of your thumb, imagining that you are going to be carrying a heavy object placed in between.
Start practicing with your dominant hand, the one you write with. When you have mastered the basic snap, switch to the other hand
Step 2. Bend your ring finger and pinky finger
Without moving your middle finger and thumb, naturally bend the little finger and ring finger on the palms of the hands. Leave a little space at the base of your thumb to snap your middle finger on the fleshy part.
These fingers do not participate in the snap, however they are essential. The ring finger and little finger keep the hand steady, allowing you to have more force for the click and thus produce a more powerful sound
Step 3. Create pressure between your thumb and middle finger
Increase the pressure to the maximum for a good click. A good pressure should make your fingertips redden.
The more pressure you increase, the more powerful the snap will be. If this hurts you, you may be putting too much pressure on it
Step 4. Snaps your fingers
Let your index finger follow your middle finger to the base of the thumb. Your thumb slides from the middle finger on the tip of the index finger. Your middle finger should strike the base of the thumb and cause a click. Congratulation ! You just snapped your fingers.
Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time. A lot of people struggle at first, but once you master it, you don't forget it. Discover the tips below for a successful snap of your fingers
Step 5. Practice the snap movements until it becomes natural
The best way is to just do it and do it again. As soon as you get a good, loud, powerful snap, try to reproduce it immediately. You should be able to pull off a snap in less than five days.
- If you do not get a good click sound after several attempts, check the following points.
- Always keep good pressure between your thumb and middle finger until you click.
- Keep your pinky and ring finger folded against the palm of your hand.
- Leave enough room at the base of the thumb to accommodate your middle finger.
- If you still can't do it, try one of the alternative methods below, some people find them easier.
Part 2 of 2: Other Alternatives
Step 1. Try to snap your ring finger
Although the middle finger generally clicks better, some people prefer to use the ring finger. The idea is to make the same gestures, but with the next finger, in other words:
- squeeze your thumb with your ring finger
- bend your pinky finger against your palm or at the base of the thumb
- create pressure between your thumb and ring finger. It may be easier if you align your middle and index fingers next to the ring finger.
- slide your thumb from the ring finger on your middle finger. Your ring finger should strike the base of your thumb and create a snap
Step 2. Try to move your hand while snapping your fingers
Some people have the ability to make very powerful finger snaps by integrating the hand and arm into the movement. Don't overdo your wrist movement, you could strain it! To snap with this method, do the following.
- Prepare to make a normal snap. Squeeze your thumb with your middle or ring finger, bend the little finger and possibly the ring finger (if you snap your middle finger) and increase the pressure.
- Turn your palm to the side (your hand goes from your chest to the front). Your arm should remain flexible and relaxed from your wrist to your elbow.
- In a quick, fluid motion, bend your elbow and turn your palm over. Then, bend the elbow and let your hand drop by twisting your wrist and snapping your fingers.
- If you are successful you should hear a very loud click, otherwise keep practicing. This one may take longer to master.
Step 3. Try a double snap
When you have had enough of the single click, try the double. You're probably not going to get that good sound, in terms of volume, but the double click isn't that hard. To do a double finger snap, proceed as explained below.
- Prepare to snap your fingers with your ring finger. Squeeze your ring finger with your thumb, the little finger should be more or less bent and the index and middle fingers aligned next to the ring finger. You cannot do a double click when starting with your middle finger.
- Create pressure between your thumb and ring finger. Keep your middle and index fingers aligned and tight next to the ring finger.
- Slide your thumb, without releasing the pressure, on the middle finger then on the index finger, without pausing.
- If you do this correctly, your ring finger will snap on the fleshy part of your palm at the base of the thumb, followed immediately by the snap of your middle finger, causing two clicks in a row. Try practicing this technique on your favorite track.
Step 4. Try to snap your fingers with both hands
What is the point of knowing how to snap your fingers if not to recreate the mythical scene from "West side story"? Snapping fingers with both hands is easy, it's just a matter of practice, especially for your non-dominant hand. All of the above techniques work for the non-dominant hand, so let's get to work!
Do you like challenges ? Try to use two different techniques at the same time. For example, a basic snap for your non-dominant hand and a double snap for your dominant hand
Advice
- The wetness of your hands can influence your ability to snap your fingers. If your hands are too sweaty or too oily, it is not easy to build up the pressure between your fingers, so you should wipe your hands with a paper towel. On the other hand, if your hands are too dry, you should moisten them with a suitable lotion.
- The sound of the snap does not come from two snapping fingers, but from a finger snapping the fleshy part of the base of the thumb. In fact, you snap a finger! To prove it, place a tissue in the palms of your hands and listen to your click, the sound is completely reduced.
- Don't try to snap your pinky or index finger. It is technically possible, but very difficult.