[Berserker22]

I messaged earlier about the problem with my surgically repaired left index finger trying to navigate the fretboard. It doesn't look like it's going to work. Too much pain and the skin is way too thin. Tried moleskin, the crazy glue possibility.....nothing relieves the pain when even a little pressure is applied. Now I'm not saying that the pain is making me stop, however, no matter how tough I am or like to think I am, I'm certain it will lead to bad habits at the least. So........I ask for all of your wisdom once again. I'm a beginner, and it was suggested in the last thread that I might switch to lefty. I'm fairly ambidextrious anyway. Would it be that difficult as a beginner to learn left-handed. What are the advantages/disadvantages if any. And would I need to do more than just re-string the ole axe??? Thanks for all the help. This board is the best I've seen. Very helpful.

Berserker

[USGold]

maybe you could learn to play w/o using that finger--it would take some learning and making a lot of adjustments--need to really develop that little finger strength--jerry garcia did pretty well missing a finger--anything can be done with the will power--oh try taking up slide playing--use a slide instead of fingers? best of luck--keep on truckin ok? Scott

[allthumbs]

It would help to put a lefty nut on your guitar before you restring it. It will feel clumsy at first but, you will adapt. As suggested you could develop your own style of playing righty that doesn't include the index finger. I saw a lead player in Ottwa that played with just his thumb and he was rocking pretty good.

[737blues]

Biggest problem with lefty is probably having to 're-write ' everything, TAB and chord symbols, etc! It may be the leser of two evils for you though.

[Bodies]

I guess it's not as difficult as a beginner to switch from right-handed to left-handed because you have to basically learn everything from the start either way. It might just feel awkward at first but even right-handed feels awkward at first!
I nearly switched to left-handed playing as I have a circulation problem in my right hand and repetitive motion (such as strumming) isn't good for it. But silly me stuck with right-handed playing in the end.

As for disadvantages, I read somewhere that one of the problems (apart from the one 737blues mentioned) was that it's more difficult to play "on the spot" with another guitar but yours, as most guitars are set up for right-handed playing. But that's not such a big problem, in my opinion! Good luck