Final instalment! Playing a right handed guitar left handed but still strung right handed.

sofasteve

Thank you everyone's input, it's certainly helped me consider my options. I'm going to try with my initial idea and if that doesn't work out then try to learn left handed. There's always a chance that I may recover as Balrog68 did so I'm not giving up on that occurring in the future either.

Would love to be in a position in the future where I'm posting here again asking whether I should switch back to playing right handed!

Funkfingers

Jalapeno said:

Didn't Albert Collins play his guitar the wrong way around ?

Nope. Albert KING played with the strings upside down.

Albert Collins played in an Fm open tuning.

sofasteve

Thought I'd post an update. I've regained pretty much full range of motion in shoulder and elbow but wrist rotation has remained pretty much the same. I can actually play again now but can't play full chords etc. mainly lead and riffs. Means I'm playing and learning a completely different style and I sound very different due to my limitations. Looking at it in a positive light I'd probably never have tried playing like I do know and I'm really enjoying making a noise again after so long out of action.

Again, thanks for the input and encouragement at what was a pretty bleak period guitarwise.

Pabcrane

Good to hear. I followed your post last year. 

While reading this I'm listening to Faith by the Cure, which has a lot of Bass VI as the main melodic instrument prominently through it. Did you ever look at getting into the bass? It might suit your new playing style too. All the best.

sev112

If I’m right (I rarely am) one of the guitarists in Limehouse Lizzy plays upside down

wellsyboy

Doyle Bramhall II seems to cope ok with it

grungebob

Sorry to hear that. I tore the crap out of my left thumb and destroyed the ligaments etc but with perseverance and a fare bit of pain it works as before, so perhaps there’s hope for you too?

the dude in the band Kerbdog plays as you suggest and he managed just fine


https://youtu.be/9aBsOybMMcE 

sofasteve

Pabcrane said:

Good to hear. I followed your post last year. 

While reading this I'm listening to Faith by the Cure, which has a lot of Bass VI as the main melodic instrument prominently through it. Did you ever look at getting into the bass? It might suit your new playing style too. All the best.

Thanks, my problem now is reach. I can't reach the bottom E with my index finger. I've found the 24 inch scale is much less painful. See the specialist in 4 months time to see if another op to remove scar tissue from within the elbow is an option.

Either way at least I can play now which seemed impossible back in September.

sofasteve

Update for anyone interested in this thread.

My odyssey continues.

Saw the surgeon on Monday and have opted for keyhole surgery to see if I can get my wrist movement back.

There's a 1% chance of infection and 2% chance of nerve damage (game over for guitar).

Results could be either an improvement, it stays the same or it could get even worse, with no idea which way it will go as he doesn't know what he needs to do until he gets in there and sees it. I'll have another general anaesthetic so will wake up to find out my fate. Hopefully op will within the next 2 months.

Voxman

skullfunkerry said:

I have literally nothing to add to the guitar part of this thread; I just want to wish you all the best with your recovery and future playing. I can’t even imagine how I’d feel if I damaged myself and couldn’t play any more

Ditto...really sorry to hear about your predicament. But don't give up...with time and some good physio, it's always possible you can recover sufficiently. In the meantime, have you thought about whether slide guitar might be a possibility? 

grungebob

Good luck with the surgery, I hope it works out well for you. 

sofasteve

The story finally has a happy ending,

I had the surgery in late September. Removed one of the screws, some bone that had grown where it wasn't welcome, internal scar tissue and some bone debris from initial op that was obstructing my movement.

I've regained enough movement (pain free) now to be able to play again. Relearning how to play within my physical limitations now. Triads etc. are things I'd never looked into before.
 
The NHS physio and surgery teams have been brilliant from day one. Their help and advice is where I've obtained the ability to be able to actually play again.

It's been a long journey, thanks to all on the forum for your input too!

Dan_Halen

Hey fella. Missed the original thread for some reason but have just read the whole thing.

Absolutely thrilled that you can play again. Take it easy, play how it works rather than force it and enjoy.

The NHS are simply amazing and glad they’ve seen you right. 

grungebob

Fantastic news. 

drofluf

Great news

NPP

same here, missed this first time around but extremely glad to hear there's a happy ending of sorts. 

Triads are great - with such great sounds available through triads, double stops and power chords it's difficult to see why anyone would ever need to hit all strings at the same time

Pabcrane

Great news.

Creed_Clicks

Jimi Goodwin of Doves plays bass and guitar using a righty flipped over