Wanting to learn to play the guitar but....

pinkteapot

Ever since I was a kid (am 30 now!) I've wanted to learn to play the acoustic guitar. It's just one of those things in life I haven't got round to yet.

I now have arthritis and one area it affects is my left index finger. I've lost a lot of the movement (if I try and make a fist that finger stays stuck out as it won't curl round very far).

If I'm able to play the guitar, I think it would help as I'm meant to exercise the finger as much as possible, but with it being a bit painful to move I'm not very good at just sitting there and exercising it. Activities involving finger dexterity would be useful.

I'm not sure where to start. I thought I might go into one of the music shops in town for some advice on whether playing would be possible and to have a look at entry level guitars (I would have lessons if I got one). But the shops seem to be aimed at 'proper' musicians and I feel like such a newbie. :rotfl:

Alternatively, could I call a guitar teacher just to book one lesson? Would they generally be able to supply a guitar that I could use, just so we can have an hour to see if I'm going to be able to play?

Not sure of the best place to start.

Wookey

Hiya, I would stay clear of a music shop regarding advice about this, consult your doctor and a guitar tutor ( a single lesson though is unlikely to give you a feel for it as your fingers will ache after 20 mins). One option you might not have considered is learning to play left handed, holding a pick in your left hand will be a lot less stressful. Another option would be to learn on an electric guitar, less string pressure is needed to make chords and electrics are usually more user friendly towards learners.

taliesin

I would suggest you go right into one of those music shops "for 'proper' musicians" and have a good chat with them. Musos are an exceptionally friendly and helpful bunch, and they like nothing better than discussing music and instruments. Showing that you are interested in taking up an instrument will get them right on your side.

Don't feel shy about handling a few of the instruments and getting a feel for them. That's what they are there for. If a particular shop tries to pressure you toward buying something, just move on to another one. Good music shops expect people to go in, compare a few, go away and come back another day, possibly several times. A good music shop will also be able to put you in touch with a local teacher who is sympathetic to your issues.

As to playing with limited use of your fingers, there were/are several highly respected players - most notably perhaps Django Reinhardt and Tony Iommi - who were missing a few digits on their fretting hands. Other top-line guitarists - Larry Carlton, Pat Martino, even Mac Rebennack (yes, Dr John was originally a guitarist, and is playing again) - have had to re-learn to play after significant injuries. It is possible to address these issues in various ways, for example by using a non-standard tuning and/or playing with a slide and a good teacher will help you with that.

If there is a pub in the town where people turn up for a "session" or a "jam", you could turn up and talk with folks there, too.

Go for it!

mamabuddah

just from what you're saying...I would give it a go....yes it may hurt...even if you haven't got arthritis....but heres the good bit...

if your 2nd, 3rd and pinky finger can bend ok you should be able to play most chords at the "nut" position...if your index finger stays straight...it will be handy for when you play barre chords...

basically...any 3 finger chords played at the nut position are the same as you progress up the neck by using your index finger to form a "barre" effectively mimicing the nut on the guitar...

I say give it a go...you'll get hours of fun and pain...I have arthritis and have been playing for many years now...I'm not as articulate as I used to be...but I can still play nearly any song with 4 chords....lol...

Llyllyll

Definately go to a good teacher, they will tailor lessons to you and make them enjoyable. As far as a good, solid, starter's acoustic goes it appears that you can't go far wrong with a Yamaha F310 (but not got one myself). Many offers online but also make sure that you get it "set up" properly once it's delivered.

Cheapest package seems to be at http://www.guitarbitz.com/guitars-c48/acoustic-guitars-c49/yamaha-f310-acoustic-guitar-package-p912

or just the guitar at http://www.dv247.com/guitars/yamaha-f310-acoustic-guitar--18892

L.

pinkteapot

Thanks for all the advice/encouragement. My other fingers are all absolutely fine - I have one gimpy finger and three bad toes as it's only come on in the last couple of years.

A friend made the same comment re electric guitar being easier to play in this regard than acoustic, but it's just never appealed to me.

If the guitar doesn't work out I could always pick up my recorder playing from primary school again - exercises the fingers and makes such a beautiful sound.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Have you ever considered coming over to the Dark Side?


Four strings, bigger gaps between them, only need to depress one string at a time, infinitely cooler.......:whistle:

taliesin

Funny you should say that, Jojo. Not sure quite which version of the Dark Side you have in mind (are you another Bela Fleck fan, perhaps?) but I was wondering whether pink might find one of the four-string relations more suitable. There's a lot to be said for beginning on the baritone ukulele, for instance - same tuning as the top four strings of a standard guitar, same strings but slightly lower tension, making it a little easier to play and to transfer to a standard guitar eventually.

I come back to my earlier point that it is exactly the shops that deal with "real musicians" who will be able (and very willing) to help pink find the right instrument for him. Any good guitar shop will have a selection of related instruments - banjos, ukes, mandolins - as well as guitars, and will be happy for customers to try them.

taliesin

Sorry, Jojo - penny just dropped - four big fat floppy strings! Yes, pink could usefully investigate that possibility. Bass players are always in demand.

ada1988

you can learn from the basic.there is no excuse if you wanna to do something.
as the saying goes,you have one reason to insist to do something,and thousands of reasons not to do one thing.
Just insist your wanting everything will be easy.

nillhouse

When I used to play the guitar, I was quite tempted to buy one of these, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gripmaster-Medium-Tension-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0006GC5D8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322953773&sr=8-1. May be of interest to you