Hi I am Rod Faulkner and I had a stroke two years ago between concerts as a classical guitarist in a duo. Since then I have worked very hard to regain all functions, but after two years of severe frustration and desperation at times, i still have numbness and inaccurasy in left-hand finger placement on the guitar strings and cannot consider approaching the concert repertoire I was playing immediately before the stroke. Are there any professional guitarists or string players out there who have regained professional playing on stage and if so, please contact me or share your exercises on this site. I seem so nearly there but at present playing baby pieces from my beginning 60 years ago. Help!!
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@Rodrigo7
Think what you have achieved 
I understand your frustration, bur you have achieved so much since your stroke, although to you, you feel like its not enough because you want more of yourself. I am not blessed with a talent like you, but I feel your pain as I also want more of myself. Onward and upwards. Good luck 
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Rod-I had a stroke six years ago that paralyzed my left side. (P,S. I am a pianist and a ukulele playerânot at professional level, though) As I slowly regained feeling and function, I did several hand exercises to regain strength. I had hand putty of different strengths and slowly worked up to harder putty, pushing, rolling, pinching itâwhatever. I also ordered a hand exerciser from amazonâa gadjet you held in your hand with your fingers on little push buttons. You had to push the buttons down with your fingersâthe pressure needed was adjustable. That was particularly good for the fingers. I also did a lot of typing on my computer as much as I could to work on dexterity. I also got 2 lb hand weights and exercised my wrists with that. And, of course, I practiced my instruments after I got coordinated and strong enough to do it. Iâm not as good as I once was, but good enough. And Iâm grateful. Iâm still improving. Everyoneâs needs and time frames are different, though. Donât get discourage. Keep at it. 
Jeanne
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Hello @Rodrigo7 hope you are well!
I was, 30 years ago, a multi-instrument rock star in the making. I produced an album myself, but back then it was hard to find a following or people that are interested in hearing something different. Then I met my wife, had children, had a proper job, so my instruments (piano which I prefer, guitar x5, drum kit, and the mini-recording desk) up in the loft and said âyouâll be mine again, one dayâ.
Fast-forward to the lockdown fiasco, I fetched the piano and the guitars, and started to play again, so much so, my middle son warmed to play and record rap music.
But, this time it was only a hobby because I held a passion for video creation, with musical tracks to accompany that. I composed my last song, though I didnât know that, for a fun snippet of Thursday night virtual pub quiz called, ironically, âgoodbyeâŚ..said nobody everâ.
Then, it all changed. I had a stroke mid-2022, so my right arm is paralysed now. I thought that is the end of music for you.
But, oddly, I started to play the piano one-handed while I was in hospital. That passion for playing the piano, albeit half of me, was a blessing. It kept me sane.
The point being, donât ever give up. Your hand maybe quick to repair, but maybe itâs dead. Either way, adapting your playing technique, maybe adapting your instrument for harmony or bass line or rhythm etc, is one of the few who are determined to make something matter - for you and anybody else that listens to it. Be bold, be forgiving, but if youâre passionate, be present and stand up.
M
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@MattJC That was absolutely fantasticđ
Trace
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Or look up Rick Allen of Def LeppardâŚâŚâŚ.
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As an amateur jazz guitarist I understand your frustration. It took me nearly three years after my stroke before getting to grips with handling the guitar again. Just holding a instrument took a while in itself. My problem was my right hand but since its main job is just to strum or pick strings my problem was easier to solve than yours.
I developed a pick with a strap to be able to hook around my thumb and not drop the plectrum. I have named it the DEIGHPICK!
Regards
Deigh
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@axnr911
You did amazingly. What a wonderful contribution to the Forum, you uplifted me.
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