Hiyas,

I finally got an acoustic guitar for Christmas, and have been playing for about 3 weeks now, despite having a broken knuckle on my fretting hand. I'm 26 and have wanted to play all my life, but never got around to it until now. I'm self taught up until this point (messed around with a bass guitar back when I was in highschool from time to time, hasn't helped much though). So far I've learned all 8 of the basic chords (not F though b/c my hand's injured and don't want to even try at the moment). I've been practicing a couple hours a day, more on weekends, or when time allows. I am extremely happy with my progress up until now, my fingertips are like leather (FINALLY, but I played through the pain at first), and now I can play the entire intro for Classical Gas (I love this tune even though I suppose it's meant to be played on a nylon string, plus it's not too hard to learn once you get the fingering down), a handfull of Johnny Cash tunes, some Nirvana, and of course your basic beginner ditties, without too much trouble and/or buzzing. I know I have a ton of work ahead of me, but sites like this one with everyone sharing their ideas/tricks are great. Hopefully in the future when I have time I can start taking a few lessons. It's a ton of fun/challenging, and I'm genuinely in a better mood each day.

Just though that you would like to know that some happy beginners do exist, and we're trying hard; despite the crippled hand and being able to only play with 3 fingers...I just hope I don't hit a "slump" :P.

Cheers,
Me

rock on man, keep up the good work!

__________________
"Lets see… well I play the guitar and when I'm not playing the guitar, I think about playing the guitar. My other favorite instrument, is the guitar and if I aspired to play any other instrument, it would be the guitar...

I can’t sing so I sing through my guitar. So when the sound guy says: “Your guitar is too loud!” I think: "Why does he never say that to the vocalist?"

Man...I would be very careful doing anything with a broken knuckle, any pain you feel whilst jamming is a problem and you should stop immediately(except for pain on the tips of you fingers before they harden).

Either way...I dunno if it is a good plan to play with a injury like yours.
Look into it very thoroughly before playing man.

But when you recover, then its jamming for hours upon end man.

Once you get better you should probably start practicing on a regular set time everyday. You develop better nerves in your hand that way. Be careful!

__________________
"How wondrous familar is a fool!"
Ahab
www.soundclick.com/msholly

as long as it doesnt injure you i dont see any harm practicing with broken knuckles- well, i really dont think they're that broken (ie. bones are totally broken)- if it was, it would be so swollen, he wouldn't be able to move his hand to touch a guitar in the first place.

Just take a look at the best guitarist in the world- my idol, the old dude who plays the guitar in the subway- he's only playing with 7 fingers and it never stopped him from playing no matter what- and his other 3 fingers are severed. I really like it the best when he does his version of "blue moon of kentucky."

__________________
"Lets see… well I play the guitar and when I'm not playing the guitar, I think about playing the guitar. My other favorite instrument, is the guitar and if I aspired to play any other instrument, it would be the guitar...

I can’t sing so I sing through my guitar. So when the sound guy says: “Your guitar is too loud!” I think: "Why does he never say that to the vocalist?"