Eric Phillips Very nice Eric - did you use the right hand fingerings suggested in the facsimile edition?

Ron Thanks Ron. My right hand is so messed up that I am not able to follow anyone’s right hand fingerings. I’m pretty embarrassed when I look at my right hand in videos. I mostly used his left hand fingerings, but I changed a few.

Jack Stewart Thanks, Jack. I actually really love a lot of Shand's compositions, but I find his studies pretty dull. There were only a few that I liked much, and most of those were very difficult. This is the only one that "hit the sweet spot" (i.e. playable by me and not boring). You're right, though, the Picardy third is cliche.

Ariel Elijovich A few years ago, I began to lose the ability to use my right hand index finger. It began with a lot of inaccuracy placing it on the correct string. Eventually, arpeggios using that finger became unplayable. The same goes for i-m or i-a scale passages, so I usually will use p-m or p-i, instead. When I force myself to use it in arpeggios, my thumb starts involuntarily curling inward at the first knuckle.

From what I've read, I suspect it may be focal dystonia, but I really am not sure. I now only use the index finger when absolutely necessary, typically when playing full chords. I compensate with a lot of use of the thumb, and quite a bit of repeated ring finger. Many pieces are simply impossible for me to play (for example, Villa-Lobos Etude 1, or even the famous Romanza).

Ariel Elijovich Thank you for the kind words, Ariel. I do not experience any physical pain at all. It is just the frustration of losing an ability I once had, but that, of course, is a natural part of living. I am still able to enjoy playing the pieces my hands allow me to play. I am only an amateur guitarist, so it does not affect my ability to sustain myself or my family. I imagine it could be devastating for a professional musician.

I have not sought any professional help, and to be honest, I don't really think I want to do so, at least for now. I spent a little while fighting against it, thinking it could be solved by playing more arpeggios and scales, but the more I just let go of it, the happier I am. Like I said, I am still able to play a lot of music, and it still brings me great joy.

David Krupka Thank you, David. I did not know you had suffered a stroke. I can only imagine the impact that has had, not only on your music-making, but on your entire life. It's always difficult when we have to face the limits of our abilities, especially when those limits are on the increase. But no matter what, we have the joy of practicing and making some beautiful music, even if it's just one beautiful note! Thankfully, I have often found it most enjoyable to play simpler pieces, and I suspect we may be similar in that regard.

I did notice the fingering on that slur at the end. (I'm using Stanley Yates' edition, but he is faithful to the original in his fingering.) I tried it both ways, and using a pull-off on the 4th string alone felt more natural to me. You mention doing it with the RH ring finger - would it be typical to use the same RH finger for both notes?

Dale Needles Thank you, Dale. I must say, I have always looked on your technique (both hands) with admiration, and a bit of jealousy. I would not have guessed that you had dupuytrens contracture. My mother just had surgery for that about a month ago. I'd be curious what kind of workarounds that requires of you.