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Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 00:04:27 -0600

I need your opinion about the importance of the left thumb for electric and
eventually acoustic guitar playing. I injured my left thumb during a
camping trip when I was about 10 years old (over 20 years ago), severing the
tendon at the joint. As a result, I cannot bend the thumb, and the muscles
in my hand seem fairly weak (compared to my right hand). At the advice of a
local guitar shop, I purchased a decent beginner electric guitar about a
year ago, rather than an acoustic because of my condition. I can play the
basic major chords, but barre chords especially are very difficult, and it
seems like my progress is going pretty slowly. It is impossible to bend my
thumb over the neck to press the top string, but I've heard alternate
fingerings should be possible. Also, my fingers are quite short (I can wear
a small/medium men's glove), limiting my range of motion. I don't feel like
I am getting straight answers from the local shops, and hope you may be able
to offer some advice based on your experience. Shawn Church

My questions are 1) do you think playing an acoustic is possible, based on the difficulty I have experienced with the electric,

Acoustic would be possible...but guaranteed, the barre chords will be even more difficult than your electric. You could learn to play acoustic in an open tuning allowing for easier playing overall...this is accomplished by tuning your guitar to an open "G", for instance (DGDGBD from low E to high E)

2) would you advise switching from the guitar altogether to another instrument,

I would suggest looking into playing a squareneck Dobro...these are played with a steel in the left hand without any exertion or stress of the left hand required. You would be using fingerpicks with the right hand and playing patterns similar to banjo. The Dobro is a really versatile instrument that can be played within most any style of music. To see this instrument in action, be sure to check out our video samplers located on our website.

and 3) would the left thumb be limiting if I were to switch to a left-handed guitar?

This can be next to impossible to do especially if you're already accustomed to playing right-handed.

I like the full sound of the guitar, but I also like the sound of the banjo and the
octave mandolin, but I'm not sure if these are appropriate for solo playing
(I don't intend to ever play in a band or to perform publicly).

I personally play both of these instruments as solo instruments...it's all a matter of arranging for solo by including harmony notes that support the melody.


We have been impressed with your site and your policies, and we plan to buy
a violin (and possibly a mandolin) for my wife and to get our 2 year old
started as well. I have played wind instruments and some piano since I was
a kid, but have never touched any stringed instruments except for the guitar
I mentioned, but I like the sound and would like to be able to eventually
play competently.

Thanks for your time,
Shawn

Thanks for your kind words...let me know if you have any specific questions about our violins...additionally, be sure to check out the squareneck Dobro, you may find it to be the instrument of choice...and, I also play this instrument in a solo approach...in fact, I'm currently working on a book that covers solo arrangements for squareneck Dobro...

Hope the above assists you...Mickey

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