• Registered: 2012-02-13
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Struggles of a beginning guitar player with Parkinson's Disease

I played a violin as a kid and tried classical guitar for a while in college, but I got bored and hated practicing.  Now I'm 55 and don't mind practicing but now my fretting hand (left) is partially closed.  I'm working with an occupational therapist, but in the meantime I've had to scrounge around on the internet to find things like open tuning and bar chords, since I am able to use my index finger only for chords.

So far I discovered EGBGBD open tuning which has allowed me to start practicing Amazing Grace using bar chords (using my index finger) for G, C, and D.  I also remember some finger-picking skills from classical guitar, so I pick the melody too - using left index finger to fret single strings and of course my right hand (which is fine incidentally) to finger-pick (and strum).

I was able to transpose the melody for Amazing Grace into guitar tab for EGBGBD tuning by looking at the sheet music notes.  I'm hoping I can do the same for other songs like Man of Peace by Bob Dylan and All the Diamonds by Bruce Cockburn.

Any thoughts or suggestions will be much appreciated.

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Struggles of a beginning guitar player with Parkinson's Disease

Doug desire is a strong motivator a lot of people with your condition would not attept to learn guitar it is a difficult instrument to learn without the condition you have I admire your courage,I could suggest try slide guitar because in addition to full chords you can pick out melodies from not only gospel but blues, rock and country keep on picking smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • zguitar
  • Don't call me Sir
  • Offline
  • From: Mentone, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 1,367

Re: Struggles of a beginning guitar player with Parkinson's Disease

I second what Russ said. The first thing that came to mind was slide.

Hope the therapy helps and gets you where you want to be.

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!

4 Reply by doug217 (edited by doug217 2012-02-13 10:59:58)

  • Registered: 2012-02-13
  • Posts: 4

Re: Struggles of a beginning guitar player with Parkinson's Disease

Thanks for the encouragement.  Fortunately I also love great lyrics and love to write.  So I plan to try writing some songs too.

I like this Bob Dylan lyric alot.  Something like:

"I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand..."

  • dino48
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: Struggles of a beginning guitar player with Parkinson's Disease

I will third the slide,that would be a good choice

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,212

Re: Struggles of a beginning guitar player with Parkinson's Disease

H Doug and a warm welcome to Chordie,

Good on you for not giving in to your debiltation condition, I admire your courage and determination.

One thing I must point out though is that there is a great deal of litigation at present for copyright infringement so we have to take care and normally we can allow just a couple of lines to help make a point. However I shall make an exception in this case as reducing them would detract from the point you are making.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • Registered: 2012-02-13
  • Posts: 4

Re: Struggles of a beginning guitar player with Parkinson's Disease

Thanks Roger.  I understand.  I went back and reduced the quote to 2 lines just to be a little more safe.