Tablesaw accident = switching to lefty, help!

K-Frog · #1 09-22-2006, 09:09 AM

Fortunately, it wan't me, but one of my best friends.

He was just learning guitar and could already play some basic bass, so he doesn't have too much to unlearn. That's probably helpful.

I won't discuss what happened, but he comes home from the hospital today without half of his ring finger, the first joint of his middle finger is now going to be permanently straight, and he has a plate in his pinky, holding to together.

He'll need much encouragement and I need some advice for him on considering trying instruments left-handed.

He'll have to heal for a while, but in the meantime, I don't want him to get depressed about "losing" the ability to play stringed instruments.

Any thoughts?

thanks, K

anechoic · #2 09-22-2006, 10:35 AM

Show him the Bill Clements video? (you know, the one that used to get posted like every day in the bassists forum) Learning how to tap would probably be helpful if he's only got one good hand now. Even if he does have some use of the damaged fingers, it's going to be a while before they heal. He could try playing touchstyle in the meantime. This will obviously require some adjustment to the setup on his instrument(s) (and would probably not work very well on acoustic).

Slide guitar might be worth a shot, too. Or pedal steel.

Does he like metal? If so, bust out some Black Sabbath - the fact that they tuned down had a lot to do with Tony Iommi losing a couple of fingertips in an industrial accident (lower string tension, in conjunction with some plastic fingertips). Jazz? Django Reinhardt's fretting hand was badly damaged in a fire, but he eventually adapted his technique to get around that.

More than anything it's going to take time and patience. He's probably going to have to come up with his own technique, but as you say, at least there's not much to unlearn.

RWP · #3 09-22-2006, 10:46 AM

Man, that is every musicians nightmare. He will need encouragement and support for sure. I agree with the tapping idea, you can get some amazingly beautiful sounds. There is a Victor Wooten DVD that has a very cool basic approach to tapping that is well worth a look. It is in the special features section of the 1998 Live at Bass Day DVD. NetFlix has it. I have tried playing my bass left handed and I know what he is up against. It's like you never played bass. Sure hope he is better soon and can handle the challenge.

vinny · #4 09-22-2006, 11:29 AM

+1 0n Django Reinhardt... He was a monster with limited fret hand use.

msquared · #5 09-22-2006, 12:06 PM

Charlie Hunter is worth checking out as well. He hasn't got any hand injuries but he's generally only fretting the bass parts with his middle finger while chording guitar parts with his other fingers.

AuG · #6 09-22-2006, 04:34 PM

You could show him that video of the guy with no arms playing guitar. I believe it's in off topic. Definitely impressive.

LeftyJack · #7 09-23-2006, 06:43 PM

I too had an accident 8 years ago in which I almost lost my left hand at the wrist. Luckily I had a great hand microsurgeon who was able to save it, although with limited use. My wrist is permanately fused in an unmovable (straight) position which make fretting with it impossible. So learned to play the bass left handed, which was easier to switch to than I thought it would be. I only have good mobility with my index and middle fnger of my left hand but what more do you need? It's tiring sometimes when I'm fatigued but then I just take a night off from practicing. I love playing the bass and the fact that I'm lucky enough to even be
playing at all makes me feel pretty good. Tell your friend to give it a whirl he'll be surprised at what he can accomoplish if he puts his mind to it. It's great therapy besides.

All_¥our_Bass · #8 09-23-2006, 06:54 PM

Show him the one handed bassman video. (It's even stickied here too!!)

iplaybassguitar · #9 09-24-2006, 04:22 PM

i feel bad saying this, as i feel bad for the accident and everything...but all aside, that is probably the funniest topic title ive ever seen.

Poop-Loops · #10 09-24-2006, 05:10 PM

If his index and thumb work, he can still play with a pick. Switching to a lefty might be hard, but it will help him in the long run.

I'm actually surprised by how many people can only do stuff with one side. I am somewhat ambidextrious, so even though I have a favored side, if I switch, it only takes a short while for me to adapt and barely pull it off.

Munjibunga · #11 09-24-2006, 06:07 PM

Your friend should've watched a little more of Norm Abrams.

K-Frog · #12 09-24-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplaybassguitar

i feel bad saying this, as i feel bad for the accident and everything...but all aside, that is probably the funniest topic title ive ever seen.

There's nothing funny about it.

Thanks for your concern and helpful advice, it's exactly what I was hoping for.

K

Groovin · #13 09-25-2006, 11:22 AM

Hi, had a friend of mine do the same thing. He was lucky though as it only shaved his bones in his fingers... not severed.

Best wishes to your friend. I know that its terrible right now but life will go on and he will still (thankfully) be able to play. Gotta keep that chin up.

BrandonBass · #14 09-25-2006, 12:17 PM

the worst part about being a human is dat we're so fragile...i hope your fren can get back to playin soon!!!