United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I was just wondering if there was anyone out there that plays the guitar. My son is seven and has a left obpi and he wants to learn to play the guitar, I am just wondering if this will be difficult for him since it's the left hand that is affected and that is the had that has to hold the bridge of the guitar. Any input from you more experienced people??

Thanks

I would assume they could restring the guitar so that he could use his right and on the bridge and strum with his left or a pic. Where there is a will there is a way... it's great that he wants to try.

Kath

Hi Marnie,

I am LOBPI and i have been playing guitar since i was 12 yrs old, my left hand is my fretting hand, it's a little difficult at first to find a comfortable playing position
with limited supination. I think he will be fine though.

My daughter is 8--soon to by 9 years--and has two guitars: acoustic and electric. She hasn't really "mastered" them yet, but does okay. We are looking into lessons. She is ROBI, but I'm thinking that there are guitars for both left handed and right handed players. In any event, I figure it's good therapy to try!

Peggy

If you restring, the affected hand still has to have enough strength to strum or hold a pick. (and the teacher has to be able to teach opposite side guitar)

Lap steel guitar is an option if there's not enough strength or no supination. There are acoustic and electric ones and nowadays, they can sound like any type of guitar you'd like it to sound like (sound boxes, etc.)

I wanted to play the guitar but my arm would cramp up a lot. After my surgery my arm regained inches in length and it was a bit more comfortable. I am wanting to try it again, however, I just haven't found the time yet. I'm sure he can do it. Perhaps a smaller guitar to start out with would help too.

Rachel, what type of surgery did you have?

Here's a new one! Emma, ROBI and 9 years old in 18 days, decided she wants to play the saxaphone. I have never discuraged her from trying anything (that isn't harmful), but this is not offered through school or anything. I told her we could try to set up lessons and see how she likes it (I'm having trouble visualizing how she would do this, as my sister played alto sax). I don't want to tell her "no" but I am afraid when she realizes she doesn't have the strength to hold it and that she doesn't have the dexterity/movement to key it (or whatever it's called) she will become very frustrated and upset.
I know there is a strap to hang around the neck, but you still have to hold the sax in order to play it and she cannot take all that weight on her neck (I wouldn't think it would be good for her).
ANY helpful ideas out there...anyone with a BPI actually play the saxaphone???

Peggy

Instead of just using a strap, use a block onder the sax. My sister played the largest sax and that what she used to do. Not sure how she would "key" it though. But I would use the block to support that sax.
Amy

thanks, Amy.
I actually talked to Emma on the way home from school today again about it--about her limitations and she said she would just have to work harder and practice more.
She's a determined little thing!
The block idea is a good one; thanks, again!

Peggy