So, I am faced with a crappy situation. I have 2nd degree burns to my left hand (Here is the link to a pic if you wan to see the burns). I am right handed so that is the one I make chords with.  Long story short I tried to pick up a cast iron skillet after it was in the fire for a few hours, now my index finger and middle finger have large blisters on them, and this makes things kind of hard. My wife being the smartest person I know said to me “Just because you can’t play normally does not mean you can’t still do something ukulele related and you should share that with your people who read your blog.”

So when life gives you lemons……..

Here are the things I am doing related to ukulele while my wing is still healing (hoping to be playing basic stuff in a week)

1. Trying to learn to play left handed. 

I could restring one of my ukes, but figured that I would just learn how to do it strung for a right handed person. I sound like I just started playing. It is a struggle to play that way, my brain is not wired like that, but at least I am playing.  I have the C down and a D chord is a ton easier.

2. Work on theory

I love, and I mean L-O-V-E the Ukulele Fretboard Roadmaps book by Fred Sokolow and Jim Beloff

I have been working on my right hand strums and picking.  I can still make a C so that is what I use for something to strum and pic. I also have been testing myself on scales and what notes make a chord.  I can’t play the songs, but it is still a great book to have.

3. Making Ukulele Case Tags
I started a new thing this summer to try and get the word out about my site. I am making luggage tags for people to attach to their cases. Seems weird but at the different uke fests I see people leaving their cases all around, tucked in corners or under seats. I figured I could help make sure that people don’t lose their instruments and also promote the site at the same time. If you see me at any festivals you will see the tags on the registration tables and I will be giving them away free.

For now I know I will be at the Ukulele Congress this weekend in Indiana and I will be at the Milwaukee Ukulele Fest.

UPDATE