Posted by fiddlepogo on Saturday, January 17, 2015
Replaced by a baritone ukulele!
Almost two years ago, I started having joint problems in the index finger... it was turning into a "trick joint", popping in and out, and playing steel string acoustic guitar seemed to be the worst thing for it.
After about six months of not playing it, I finally sold the guitar and bought.... a drumset! I figured that would give me some exercise and be something I could do even if the finger got so bad I couldn't play anything else.
Well, with a switch to synthetics, I was able to continue playing fiddle,
and by lowering the action a little, baritone ukulele started working REALLY well.
I use it instead of the guitar for my gigs, although the repertoire has changed- not so much old country and country folk, and instead Hawaiian and Tin Pan Alley.
Banjo wasn't a problem, because it's a short scale banjo.
Over all, the finger is better, but still gives signs of weakness if I stress it too much. I've had problems with other joints as well at different times in my life... lower back, neck, wrists, and knees are all a little too mobile and can move into places where they HURT.... but thankfully not too often. Well, the sciatica thing has been getting bad lately.
I still play some electric guitar (Strat) with a flatpick.
I'm not alone... I know four other guitarists locally who have had left hand problems and have had to do various things to cope.
I'm glad I still have instruments I can play, but sometimes I sure do miss that dreadnought!
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