Any Guitar Players? A Few Questions...

I'm thinking about learning to play the guitar, and I have a few questions before I get too excited.

First the really "weird" and important question - Is it even possible to play the guitar missing a finger on each hand? It's a very long story, but, in effect, I don't have an index finger on either hand. I can explain the situation further if necessary, just let me know... it'll just take a good bit of typing, lol. Manual dexterity isn't a problem - I've learned to play the piano with conscious competence, although I'm out of practice. My concern is that I won't be able to play certain notes or chords on the guitar without having that finger. Will this limit me significantly or prevent me from being able to play at all? shock:

Assuming that I can physically play the guitar at all, I do have a couple of more "normal" questions...

I'm a lefty... do left handed guitars really help that much? I've watched a lot of righty guitarists, and fingering with the left hand and strumming with the right just seems like it ought to be more comfortable... is there a hard and fast rule, or should I just look for what is most comfortable for me?

Acoustic or electric? Is this another personal preference thing? I'm not a newbie to music, but I've never played a stringed instrument before. I like the idea of an electric, and the slimmer profile seems like it would be easier to hold, but in the research I've done over the past couple of weeks it seems like a lot of people recommend starting with an acoustic. Besides the obvious, are there any major differences between acoustic and electric in terms of actually playing the instrument?

I'm not really aiming to go pro or anything, this is just something that I've toyed with picking up as a hobby for a while.

Thank you for reading, and for any input that you can give!

Unfortunately I don't play guitar, but maybe I could be of some help? I know a couple of guitar players that are pretty good.

I don't think you missing finger(s) would make it impossible to learn. It might be a little harder at first, but once you learn the strings and how to make up for the missing fingers, I think you would do fine. Nothing is impossible when you set your mind to it and work hard at it.

I've heard that lefties tend to get the left handed guitars. They don't really know to work the right handed guitars as well, or so I've heard.

The acoustic/electronic would be preference. I personally love the acoustics since I'm such a country girl. I think the electric ones are more expensive... if that makes any difference.

Sorry, I wish I knew more about it! I hope this helped a little at least :)

Hi Scoutrider there will be limitations as you wont be able to play some chords, but I wouldnt let it stop you from learning how to play. If your a lefty, I would get a left handed guitar, or restring a right handed guitar to suit a left hander. And as for what type, each has there pros and cons. Electrics are easier in your fingers though. :)

Thank you both for your input! I really appreciate it!

I may have an opportunity within the next couple of weeks to borrow a right-handed acoustic for a little while and get the feel for what I'm up against, and whether or not a righty will work for for me. In the meantime, I'm doing some research on the fingering (or that'd be the piano terminology, anyway) for different notes and chords and getting a feel for how I might improvise on what won't work normally.

Usually missing a couple of fingers doesn't hold me back from much, but I did run into issues with attempting the clarinet a few years ago - just too many holes for me to play much more than "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I just want to be sure that I can go a little further than that before I shell out too much money on guitar paraphernalia. If worse comes to worst, I always have my trumpet!!

Thank you again!

Random question, do you own a Mac by any chance? Because there is an app called Garage Band you could really benefit from with learning how to play the guitare.

With right or left handed guitars, I find most left handed players are naturally far more comfortable with the left handed ones because of how they are arranged. If that's not the case for you though, do whatever suits you best.

I think for learning, acoustic is best. It helps you build up your fingers and callouses and you get a clearer sound than in the electric while you are learning.
I find that acoustic is a little bit less forgiving and so learning your basics on them makes switching to electric a breeze.
That's just me though. And I am by no means musically gifted.