Jealous but enjoying .....

[jimbo320]

Having lose the use of my left hand due to an accident and having to give up the guitar, I still have my passion for music. My wife bought me a Yamaha keyboard and I am teaching myself to play one handed. Finally learning to read, lol.
Now that I'm reaping the fruits of my labors I so wish I had my left hand to use. The music I manage to play sounds a bit empty but non the less better than I imagined. Now I use an Alesis Micron and record background sounds then play the piano parts. But I still envy those of you who have the full range and use of both hands. Never give up..........

Jimbo

[birba]

You're amazing.  Am I correct in assuming you will NEVER be able to play with the l.h.?  This year I went through a similar tragedy.  I was about to give up completely, but I knew that if I really insisted and kept at it, I could get the use of my hand back, and I did.  But your situation sounds different.  Can you move your fingers at all?

[jimbo320]

Hi Birba,
My left hand is pretty much useless because of the RSD that has set in. It was stuck in a claw position so to straighten it I had the wrist fused and a plate put in. I also have a rod in my arm from shoulder to elbow and my arm is stuck in a 46 deg. position. My fingers are too sensitive to pain due to nerve damage. I only use my right hand.
Glad to hear of your recovery and the regaining your left hand. Before the accident I played guitars, both bass and six string by ear. Even in some bands when I was younger. Having the lose of my left hand is what led me to the keyboard. I wish I started the piano when I was playing guitar. But it's never too late...

Jimbo

[birba]

I, too, have a rod in my humorous (!) bone.  And my shoulder feels like it's  grafted onto my arm.  But you have the additional problem of the wrist.  I don't know what this RDS is.  I'm also on a therapy, 4 week cycle, where my finger tips are ultra sensitive and hurt easily towards the 3rd week.  That's when it's very difficult to practise.  Nothing more than a mezzo-piano. 
I really admire your dedication and desire to learn the piano.  Look; when I saw that chinese guy on youtube playing with his feet, I realized anything is possible!

[calabi_yau]

Leon Fleischer, one of the most famous concert pianists of the century, lost the use of his right hand in the middle of his career due to focal dystonia. He continued performing and making recordings of the decent amount of piano literature out there written solely for one hand (not light stuff - whole concertos, that sort of thing).

I'm terribly sorry for the loss of your hand. I cannot even imagine what it would be like to have to give up an instrument. Some of the greatest art is created through inhibition, though. Maybe you'll be able to figure out ways of doing things us two-handers wouldn't even dream of...

[birba]

The fact is, there is very little for R.H. only.  It's all for the L.H.

[ukbuk]

Wow Jimbo good stuff. I have a bent finger on my left hand as a result of an old rugby injury (think of a permanent Vulcan salute and you get my drift) which is slightly restricting and I think I'M unlucky. 

Keep at it. Very inspiring. 

Nick

[musicioso]

Hi Jimbo,

First of all i am really very sorry to read this. I hate it when I read this kind of things. I know how hard it is to deal with this situation. I also have a serious problem with my right hand. If you want read about it here: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=38906.0

Let me tell you one thing, even the best pianists in the world cant plawhatever they wish and however they wish. Every musician has his own weak points. And so you have your problem. I know what you have is very huge, but please, never give up playing music.

Do you know Jason Becker? If no, please find him on google or youtube. Learn about him and his unfortunate destiny, and learn about how strong and AMAZING he is. He was one of THE BEST guitarists in the world, and at a very young age he got totally paralized. And now he still composes music, beautiful music. I listen to his music and sometimes i even cry listening to it.

I would say, Jimbo, play whatever you CAN play. Try to compose your own music, use music making softwares and make your own music...and most important: listen to music, listen to great masters!

[jimbo320]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your replies. Uplifting for sure. I will definitely search those artist out that were suggested to me. Reading and hearing about other people's ability to overcome adversities helps me to keep going. I'm not quite at the writing stage, lol, but I have entertained the idea. I still consider myself a novice beginner, but I'll keep learning and practicing to play the music I love. I just felt the need to vent and didn't really expect any response so thank you all again.

Musically yours, Jimbo

[roseli]

I think that there are one or two pieces for only one hand... I'm pretty sure a composer wrote one to a fried that lost his hand... you tube also have a great one hand version of the gladiator them lolz
if you record some background sounds... you maybe could learn the left hand part with the right, and then the part to the right hand... that would be pretty impressive : )
well good luck with learning process and sorry for the hand : /

[mom3gram]

I just went into Sheetmusicplus.com and put "right hand" into the search, and it came up with several books and pieces for the right hand only.  There were some elementary level, some intermediate, and a couple of advanced.  You may want to check them out.

[jimbo320]

Thanks mom3gram,
I appreciate the help. I will check it out for sure.
For those interested, I attached what was left of my truck after the accident....

Jimbo