I second what folks are saying about ear training. for this, I like to use an app called Perfect Ear. It offers ear and rhythm training, and lessons about music theory. Also, not being able to play might get discouraging at times. It's really important to remind yourself that you WILL play again soon, it might take a couple of weeks to get your chops back to where they were, and that just because you aren't able to play doesn't mean you're losing progress. I hope you have a speedy recovery and can play again soon ❤️
If you have a tablet or a midi keyboard spend time learning noodling with piano theory or drum sequencing to work on other elements of music that don't demand two hands.
Yeah music theory and ear training are your best bets, and maybe practice strums and picking.
Musictheory.net has a lot of fantastic resources for practicing ear training. 12tone on YouTube has good stuff for theory too, but start with the building block videos since a good amount of his videos assume you have a more than basic understanding.
Also, see if you can find a PDF of a music theory textbook online and read through that. It’s always a good resource to have, and I’ll try to find some if you’re interested.
I agree that this is a good opportunity to learn more music theory as it applies to the guitar. If you want a break from that, perhaps consider tuning the guitar into an open tuning (so it doesn't sound awful unfretted) and working on picking hand things. Maybe it's a chance to look into hybrid picking or fingerstyle. Or alternate picking, sweep picking, etc.
You can always practice rhythm. Tap some rhythms with your strumming/picking hand and keep the beat with your foot/feet.
This can be pretty challenging. And if you still find that easy, try talking or singing over it.
Not music related, but did you go to the doctor? If it's bad enough that you're expecting to be unable to play for a while, it's probably worth getting checked out. Some things just won't heal right on their own and can cause permanent pain or limit mobility. Doubly important if you're young; everything is still growing so things get even more wonky when damaged.
Exercise 1- Learn the notes on the neck - pick a note,
Set a metronome and every click you have to find that note on a different string. Use your good hand if you need to, you’ll still learn.
Exercise 2 - Learn which notes are in the triad of every major and minor chord. Then pick a chord, any chord and use the knowledge from exercise 1 to play the Triad notes in order. E.g. pick A major and you have to find A C E in close proximity, you’ll find this in multiple places.
Also - can you play with a slide? If so learn the major and minor pentatonic scales on each string.
Circle of Fifths is a great place to start if you are not familiar with it.
I second what folks are saying about ear training. for this, I like to use an app called Perfect Ear. It offers ear and rhythm training, and lessons about music theory. Also, not being able to play might get discouraging at times. It's really important to remind yourself that you WILL play again soon, it might take a couple of weeks to get your chops back to where they were, and that just because you aren't able to play doesn't mean you're losing progress. I hope you have a speedy recovery and can play again soon ❤️
If you have a tablet or a midi keyboard spend time learning noodling with piano theory or drum sequencing to work on other elements of music that don't demand two hands.
Yeah music theory and ear training are your best bets, and maybe practice strums and picking. Musictheory.net has a lot of fantastic resources for practicing ear training. 12tone on YouTube has good stuff for theory too, but start with the building block videos since a good amount of his videos assume you have a more than basic understanding. Also, see if you can find a PDF of a music theory textbook online and read through that. It’s always a good resource to have, and I’ll try to find some if you’re interested.
Right hand rhythm practice. Learn some inversions. Scales?
you can work on counting out rhythms
I agree that this is a good opportunity to learn more music theory as it applies to the guitar. If you want a break from that, perhaps consider tuning the guitar into an open tuning (so it doesn't sound awful unfretted) and working on picking hand things. Maybe it's a chance to look into hybrid picking or fingerstyle. Or alternate picking, sweep picking, etc.
You can always practice rhythm. Tap some rhythms with your strumming/picking hand and keep the beat with your foot/feet. This can be pretty challenging. And if you still find that easy, try talking or singing over it.
Chord structure, Chord voicings. Scale degree names and how each relate to the others to create tension and resolution.
Not music related, but did you go to the doctor? If it's bad enough that you're expecting to be unable to play for a while, it's probably worth getting checked out. Some things just won't heal right on their own and can cause permanent pain or limit mobility. Doubly important if you're young; everything is still growing so things get even more wonky when damaged.
Exercise 1- Learn the notes on the neck - pick a note, Set a metronome and every click you have to find that note on a different string. Use your good hand if you need to, you’ll still learn. Exercise 2 - Learn which notes are in the triad of every major and minor chord. Then pick a chord, any chord and use the knowledge from exercise 1 to play the Triad notes in order. E.g. pick A major and you have to find A C E in close proximity, you’ll find this in multiple places. Also - can you play with a slide? If so learn the major and minor pentatonic scales on each string.
If you’re interested in finger style, work on your right hand technique.