[kbo.5648]

I'm several years into learning 6-string rhythm guitar and am struggling with my left (fretting) hand. I had an accident as a teenage that cut some tendons in my left forarm. My ring finger does not move very independently nor does my pinky. Put simply, I don't have great dexterity. I have the most difficulty with bar-chords and 4-finger chords, and some difficulty moving quickly on chord changes. I'd say I'm at 80% of full-range-independent-digit-dexterity, if that's what you would call it. I can type on a PC with no problem and, hey, I'm OK with power chords! I enjoy gigging in club bands, (as a singer for years), and want to up my guitar skills.

Aside from continuing in what I consider a limited skill level, I'm considering three options:

1) physical therapy, as I beleive Dave Mustaine did. (the TRAIN option)
2) consider taking up the Bass (a CHANGE option)
3) switching to play left handed. (another CHANGE option)

I really don't know which would be the most productive and result in the best outcome. I play Rhythm guitar today, no smokin' lead quitar. Therapy may take years with unpredictable results, playing bass seems a very satisfying option that (I think) doesn't require as much dexterity with all 4 fretting fingers and swithing to left-handed play seems to have the only down side of kinda starting over and getting my brain rewired to handle it.

If you have experience with going through either of the three options I'd like to hear your opinion. Or, if you are an experienced instructor or musician and have seen or helped someone conquer any of those type changes or had a similar fretting hand/forearm issue, I welcome your input.

Thanks!

[Versatile]

Hi and welcome....

You can always add Bass to your quiver...yes it could be interesting, and does require strong rhythm skills....I am always impressed by a bassist/vocalist

Perseverance is the key as you already exhibit

Purchase a capo to allow the more difficult chords to be played in 'open' shapes requiring fewer fingers and less hand strain

Remember the thumb is often available to 'ease' some barre chords by playing on the lower 4 or 5 strings.....

V

[stein]

I have always had the thought/opinion that guitar sort of trumps physical disabilities. Fingering chords and doing the contortionist things required is not something that is natural to how our hands are made, but the reason it SEEMS natural is the result of practice. So, regardless of how many fingers you have or how easy it is to bend them to me seems way secondary to learning how to use what you got.

For physical therapy, I can't imagine a better way to do it than playing guitar. I can't imagine what exorcises are going to improve the hand better than using them to play guitar. On another note, MOST places doing physical therapy are really a scam. I am sure there are good ones out there, but chances of ending up with the good one are far less likely than being taken for a ride.

I think bass SEEMS easier, but for actual performing is much harder to do well than guitar. The demands on timing and execution are much greater. But, if you find that you are good at it, that is all the more reason to do it. Being able to sing AND play bass and do both well would put you in a small but awesome minority.

[kbo.5648]

Versatile, on 14 November 2011 - 10:34 AM, said:

Hi and welcome....

You can always add Bass to your quiver...yes it could be interesting, and does require strong rhythm skills....I am always impressed by a bassist/vocalist

Perseverance is the key as you already exhibit

Purchase a capo to allow the more difficult chords to be played in 'open' shapes requiring fewer fingers and less hand strain

Remember the thumb is often available to 'ease' some barre chords by playing on the lower 4 or 5 strings.....

V

[kbo.5648]

Thanks both for the input. Thumb, capo, guitar AS the physical therapy "tool" all very good input. Any knowledge of, or experience with, switching from right-hand to left-handed guitar? As for bass, certainly an instrument requiring great skill, but maybe a skill not diminished by limited left hand/forearm dexterity issues. Any further comments or advise? Thanks again.

[MatthiasYoung]

stevie ray, on 08 January 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

There was a guy that played with 2 fingers, forget his name , I play with the tip of my 1st finger chopped off ,this happened after over a year of guitar lessons, very hard when it comes to cords , I have to find different places to play certain cords, tryed the bass ,tryed the drums, went back to guitar, been playing like this for 40 years.Sorry I don't have any advice for you, in my case I just really love playing the guitar.

Django Reinhart - famous jazz guitarist had his 3rd and 4th fingers burned severely that they were unusable. He played with 2 fingers.

If you physically have limited use of a finger or fingers, and it's not due to lack of practice, then play to your strengths. What can you do with what you have? There's plenty of chords that can be played with 2 fingers.

Historically, the guitar began with only 4 strings (1-4). Strings 5 and 6 were later added which produces more resonance. Basic chords, however, can be played on the top three to four strings.