Dean,Anyone have experience of being unable to barre, and then developing the ability? How long did it take? What did you do apart from playing?
Like you Shel my ring finger joint doesn't bend back at all, unlike all my other fingers annoying!
I can tell you that I've been able to progress from a pathetic, almost non-existent hinge to an OK one using my first finger. I learned it for the Dm7 in Dust in the Wind. So it is possible to improve upon a bad one.
My pinky is actually the worst. I've tried it for Never Going Back Again, which I love, but my hinged pinky is so crappy and tight that even when I get it working, it often snaps out of position of its own accord. But,...I have faith that I might even be able to get it working too one day.
BTW - I'm finding that I'm bending the strings a bit too. But, given how far I am from playing anything with an A-shaped barre in it I guess that's just irrelevant for the moment.
Keep trying.
I'm currently spending time as the ant (and the rubber tree) or the little red engine, take your pick. Ow...that reminds me I have new tusq picks. all good so far.
Shel