Dumb question about guitars

[Sweet Freedom]

I've always wanted to learn how to play, but due to an old injury I can't use the index finger on my left hand. I have never found anyone who could teach me to play with only three fingers.

I have a right-handed guitar and I'm thinking that I could get used to playing left-handed if I practiced. So here's the stupid question: can I just restring my right-handed guitar to left-handed? I can't think of any reason why I couldn't, but thought I'd check here.

Thanks! :hi:

[leftofthedial]

1. yes, you can

I also work occasionally with a left-handed bassist who plays a regular right-handed guitar "over the bass" without restringing it.

[Sweet Freedom]

2. Thanks! I'll give it a try. /nt

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. Sure you can. I lost the tip of my index finger.......

in an accident on my sailboat. I had a paying gig in a couple of weeks and had to relearn chords using my other three fingers. It took some doing but it worked out. My index finger is still about 1/2' shorter than it was and I can still use it (though there is not much feeling in it). The point is that I am a much better player having had to switch to the other fingers. It improved my dexterity and when I could finally use my index finger again I was much more versatile than I was before.

[Sweet Freedom]

4. I'm so sorry about your hand

I still have my finger, it just doesn't work above the the middle knuckle. I'm glad you figured a way around your injury. I never played, so whenever I asked a teacher to teach me to play with just three fingers, they looked at me like I was from outer space.

[Bonhomme Richard]

5. You can probably still make bar chords............

with the bum finger and make the other chords (you won't be able to play all chords but then again either can most players) with the available fingers. it's not a biggie....just go find another teacher. Or, just teach yourself, That's what I did.
Go for it.

[Sweet Freedom]

6. I am going to have to switch hands

I have a big knot in my finger and unfortunately, it's painful to press on the strings; I also have to turn the finger 90 degrees to apply any significant pressure. I'm just going to try to play left-handed and see how that goes.

Thanks for the encouragement!

[DrDan]

7. you can do that - an option

that a lot of lefties have chosen instead is to learn to play lefty, but with the guitar strung righty

a huge benefit is being able to pick up most guitars in music shops and play - something you will give up if you decide to restring

lots of lefty pros do this

[Ron Green]

8. I still can't figure out why the "normal" arrangement is considered right-handed.

I'm on another thread about this same topic, and to me it seems that the "right-handed" method is made to order for a lefty, because the more important work is done with the left hand.

By the way, check out what Django Reinhardt did with just two fingers of his left hand.

[outofbounds]

9. Sorry to hear about your injury

that really sucks. To answer your question, sure you can. Thats what Jimmi Hendrix did. In fact the Fender Strat signature guitar to Hendrix comes that way. I found it difficult to play being a righty because the pots are under your right wrist but it didn't slow Jimmi down. Tommy Iommi cut the tips of his fingers off right before Black Sabbath got signed. He actually made some kind of extensions and glued them to his fingers and became what he is today. A legend. I hope what ever you try works well for you.