The Lefty Challenge Part 2

carol m · #1 January 19th, 2008

When Chris and I started this idea (right hand players learning to play left-handed) the plan was one recording a week. That has been a bit ambitious, mainly due to other things needing to be done. So this thread is called Part 2 and not Week 2 as planned.

I haven't played righty since Jan 1 and I have some nice beginner's callouses which helps. Here is my second recording. This one is on my nylon string guitar with a mic + audio interface (thanks Tekker and Santa).

Things I was trying to achieve:

finding the right notes (more or less)
playing them in time and evenly (not so good),
playing them cleanly (still some buzz especially on high e string from not holding the string down well enough

)
Overall: a bit 'plodding' but I don't think you could hear the drops of sweat dripping (or the sigh of relief at the end),

Where is Chris you may ask...............?? Good question

This is based on Kirk's Easy Version of Silent Night. I added a few things here or there (it just happened) but when I just looked at his lesson again, I see I have missed out that really cool F#minor at bar 23. Too late now, here goes......

X4StringDrive · #2 January 19th, 2008

Thats great Carol, glad to see your progressing right along.
Its also great {and inspiring} that you won't let a bum hand stand in the way of your love for guitar....Hats off to you and to Chris for attempting as well to co-inspire.

starsailor · #3 January 19th, 2008

First it's the Cricket now it's the left handed challenge is there no end to my torment.
Nicely played Carol I must admit like our Cricket team I've put up a pretty poor show.
I can't really concede though so I'll have to get my act together, I think the shame would be too much to bear and I'd have to go into exile, I'll come up with the retort but I feel the sword of Damocles hanging over my head

Rockerbob · #4 January 19th, 2008

I have a hard enough time playing righty. Sheesh!

carol m · #5 January 19th, 2008

Whenever you can, Chris. It was only because you gave me the idea, that I was able to start playing guitar again for any reasonable length of time. I am forever in your debt. I've also learned to be not afraid or taking to guitar with knives, pliers, and screwdrivers.

I picked up a tip if you want to get the nut out of a fretboard - you put a screw-driver or other implement at the side of the nut (maybe with some cloth or something to protect the surface) and give the tool a good 'tap' (or two) with a hammer.

starsailor · #6 January 20th, 2008

The best reward I get Carol is hearing you play and I'm quite impressed with your new found tech skills as well, I am still practicing with the left handed guitar, I think I'm trying to learn too much at once, I felt you were at quite a low point when you got your injury and I wanted to help in some way, I've enjoyed this so I will persevere

Ps Thanks for the tip on the nut, that's pretty cool

All the Best

Chris

eddiez152 · #7 January 20th, 2008

Carol m,
Your persistence is lovely. Its paying off though. NIce !

carol m · #8 January 20th, 2008

Thanks one and all. It doesn't even feel strange any more, but it's still difficult to get my fingers to go where I want....that's once I've figured out where it is I want them to go myself. It's very like how it was right at the beginning, and as it was fun for me then, it's fun for me now.

StickyWillie · #9 January 24th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by carol m

Thanks one and all. It doesn't even feel strange any more, but it's still difficult to get my fingers to go where I want....that's once I've figured out where it is I want them to go myself. It's very like how it was right at the beginning, and as it was fun for me then, it's fun for me now.

Hi Carol, I don't know if you got my earlier message, I just joined and ain't got no idea how to work this thread stuff. Anyway, I was remarking how I Google found your thread on Sam Baker when I was scrounging for words for the words for 'Waves' so that I could do it solo with the band. I've just spotted your left handed thing going on. Weird, because, having given up with google I went on the Sam Baker website only to read that when he 'recovered' from his injuries from the bomb blast he had to learn to play left handed. So was it Sam Baker that gave you the idea? And are you using a left handed guitar?

Aunt Doty · #10 January 24th, 2008

Carol, sounds like yor're definitely making music with that left hand! You have my greatest respect for trying such an endeavor! Keep it up, before long you'll be up to snuff!!!!

carol m · #11 January 25th, 2008

Thanks Aunt Doty, I haven't done much practicing lately (spend most of my spare time being addicted to Kenny's University Song thread).

Hi SW, I didn't get any other message, but never mind. Isn't Sam Baker great??? I love his music. I was certainly impressed by the way he came back from those terrible injuries, but that wasn't what made me start left-handed. That was due to another member (StarSailor/Chris).

A few years ago I stupidly gave myself an over-use injury to my left hand from too much barre chording. It stopped me playing for a couple of years. I had been gradually starting to play again when it recurred. That's when Chris said I should play left-handed, and to make it interesting, he would challenge me (even though he didn't need to change). Until then I always thought I was on the road to recovery, and at first I thought it was a silly idea. After an hour or two, it became obvious to me that it was a great idea.

I started by re-stringing a very old nylon string. Then Chris bought a cheap lefty guitar. Then I bought a cheap right handed acoustic/electric which I attacked with enthusiasm, and converted it into a reasonable lefty instrument to learn on. Then I re-strung my nice nylon string guitar and learnt how to record with a mic. And the rest is a work in progress.

Did you and your band play Waves? Hope it went well.

pastorbob · #12 February 6th, 2008

Just stumbled onto this thread, Carol. I am impressed! I am sorry about the overuse problem, and I sure have respect for the decision that you made to overcome it. How inspiring it is for us all to hear your progress!! Blessings to you!

carol m · #13 February 6th, 2008

Thanks pastorbob. It really was Chris who made me realise that this was a good idea. When he actually bought a left-handed guitar, and he didn't even have an injury that I gave it serious consideration. It was a brilliant idea, which initially I thought was ridiculous, but of course, for me, it wasn't ridiculous at all.

SlickCat · #14 February 24th, 2008

Wow ....that sounded great!
Thats amazing you are able to switch and get your fingers to coordinate.

carol m · #15 February 24th, 2008

Thanks Slickcat. I'm afraid my practicing has fallen off a bit, and I've even lost most of my right hand callouses, but I'll be able to get some time in this week. I'm falling behind with my 12 step program (!) and haven't done a No3 yet. One problem is that the pieces I try to play get a bit harder as my horizon expands. I just have to keep reminding myself - "Keep it simple, stupid!"