Chord hand handicap

[petelanger]

Welcome to TAC. I seriously doubt that playing with a prosthetic would be the best route for you. It’s hard enough to control your fingers and with an extension – I’m not seeing it!

However, many players have overcome handicaps. I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in having to complete the challenge exactly as presented.

Here’s a little motivation:

https://youtu.be/ZI3EE9uuBCU

[jean.laurin58gmail.com]

Thanks for the feedback. I am adjusting accordingly to my challenge.

BTW, that video is insane! Cheers

[JeffM.22]

I have the same issue @jean.laurin58gmail.com . Fretting hand, .75 of the 1st joint.

Yes, there is less reach and some things are deemed impossible. I dont worry too much about it, the 3rd finger can do double duty most of the time. I have thought about switching hands, trying bass, or using a slide. A capo would shorten the distance between frets. You only need three fingers to make a chord. Some songs just get passed.

If you need some encouragement, have a look at a video of Jango (sp?). He does well with just a thumb and index finger.

[jumpinjeff]

Hi @jean.laurin58gmail.com I like the direction @JeffM.22 is going. I watch Derick Trucks play and he uses three fingers and a coricidin bottle on his ring finger. What is cool is when you put the bottle on your pinky with a little practice you get a wicked reach with the bottle covered pinky on the high E and the B string. Other strings less so but there is a whole universe to explore with that technique.

[jean.laurin58gmail.com]

Thanks Jeff, just watched him play and you are correct that I just need to work on stretch and use what I have! Best.

[SoCal_Ian]

Prosthetics are possible too. Just ask the famous guitar player from Black Sabbath, Mr. Tony Iommi.

https://www.grunge.com/276976/this-is-what-happened-to-tony-iommis-fingers/

grunge.com

This Is What Happened To Tony Iommi's Fingers - Grunge

Iommi is generally considered one of the best rock guitarists of all time, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Those are crazy feats when you consider he's missing a couple crucial body parts needed for that … Continue reading

[jumpinjeff]

that is cool stuff right there @SoCal_Ian ! I did not know this.

Great example of determination exemplified!

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  jumpinjeff.

[petelanger]

I just read this post from the FB Group “Guitar Beginners”:

I’ve been playing 50 years professionally and I’ve never met a beginning guitar player who didn’t think their fingers were too fat, or too thin, or not long enough, or too long…… I have a lazy ring finger on my left hand. It does not tuck in as tightly as my other three fingers. When I practice, I have to learn to change the position of my wrist… whatever results in a clean land on a fret. If you think you’re truly handicapped, I recommend you look up Django Reinhardt. This man is regarded as the greatest jazz guitarist in history, and he only had two functional fingers on his left hand. His ring, finger and pink you were horribly disfigured in a fire and were left useless. My point is no matter what your physical features. If you’re determined you’ll be able to overcome them. So a methods and physical exercise exercises that can help overcome these that all professionals use, even myself 50 years into it. I’m always challenged with new pieces to learn. I’m always retraining my hand. This is Guitar, the way it works.

[jean.laurin58gmail.com]

To everyone who commented, thanks. I am improvising as best I can and it is going to work. I appreciate all the supportive comments ands advice. I love music so will not let a small thing stop me.