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Lefty, the One-Armed Guitarist

Lefty, the One-Armed Guitarist English, baby! Video Lesson

Date: Jun 30 2008

Themes: Hobbies, Interview

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Every now and then, you’ll run into something you simply can’t do. But those things are rarer than you think. Want some proof? Meet Lefty, the one-armed guitar player.

We found Lefty busking and entertaining crowds on the streets of Portland, so we asked him to share his inspirational story.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Watch and Read - Watch the video and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jason

Jason

Lefty

Jason:  This is English, baby! And I’m Jason, and I’m here with Lefty, the one-armed guitar player. When did you start playing guitar?

Lefty:  ’Bout forty years ago. But I’ve only been playing one-handed for three years.

Jason:  That’s right. And so when you lost your arm, did you think you were still going to be able to play guitar?

Lefty:  I thought it was over. But the human condition is amazing. You can adapt. I’m playing the hand I was dealt.

Jason:  Alright. And what inspired you to try and keep playing guitar?

Lefty:  ‘Cause I love music.

Jason:  So you had to change your style a little bit when you started playing…

Lefty:  A whole lot. I used to fingerpick.

Jason:  Okay. And now you can just strum?

Lefty:  Now that’s all I can do. And now I bang.

Jason:  And so uh… You say that you might have been a better guitar player before.

Lefty:  Oh, I definitely was a better guitar player before. But now my passion is deeper now. So that makes up for it. And probably I’m better off now.

Jason:  Alright. And you make more money now?

Lefty:  Yeah, but it ain’t about money. It has nothing to do with money. My commitment and my dedication now is so much stronger. It means so much more to me because before when I had two hands I used to have to work to make a living, and guitar was just a hobby.

Jason:  So you don’t need the money you make to support yourself?

Lefty:  No. So I have nothing else to do except to pour my heart into my passion, which is a beautiful thing for a human being to do.

Jason:  Lefty, can I get you to give me a high-five and say, “English, baby!”?

Lefty:  Oh, sorry. Wrong hand.

 

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Lefty had been playing guitar for 40 years and when he lost his arm, he thought his days as a musician were over. But then he figured out a way to attach a pick to his stump and strum. For three years, Lefty has been playing guitar with one arm.

He says he can’t play guitar as well as he used to, but it means more to him now. Lefty’s glad he’s retired so that he can focus on his passion. He also makes a few dollars in tips here and there.

Lefty’s story is truly inspirational. Think of something you believe you can’t do and figure out a way to do it!

 

Comments

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m88430026

m88430026

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

he is a person who admire us. He says that we have to trust us

05:36 PM Aug 21 2012 |

jyothi_bunny

India

really I'am appreaciating him.His passion is good.

11:47 PM Feb 08 2010 |

edward ben

edward ben

Pakistan

nice…

10:45 AM Aug 12 2009 |

marck89

Malaysia

i dont know what to say.He is so powerful and so inergetic. Keep on your way!!!!!

09:11 AM Mar 30 2009 |

Victor Berzin

Latvia

it is really impressing. im surprized that he still plays guitarLaughing.

08:20 PM Mar 20 2009 |

∮Guitar∮

China

I like play Guitar 

and I want to tell Lefty  don't give up~! Come om….

 

11:23 AM Jan 14 2009 |

miffoo

miffoo

Slovakia

it’s really, really amazing !!!!

09:07 AM Jan 11 2009 |

Chanel Liu

Chanel Liu

China

He is cool and just wanna be himself.That's what impressed me the most.Laughing

02:01 AM Jan 09 2009 |

ws1985

ws1985

China

don't give it up easily,because we have the dream!

Lefty,i admire you! you're the exellent man!

come on and everything goes well

05:53 AM Nov 21 2008 |

emaya

emaya

United States

Lefty in this lesson is telling us that we have full set of body. But we are forgetting  to fulfill our heart into our passion ,we will be more stronger and power. Tongue out

01:15 AM Aug 22 2008 |

aoyunhui

aoyunhui

China

you're just like the man of iron in Hemingway's the old man and the sea.man can be destroyed but can't be defeated.

02:34 AM Aug 16 2008 |

vv475230509

China

it’s fanciful peoper
and admire,he still
clinging witj music

01:27 PM Aug 10 2008 |

robbinshee

Myanmar

wow so amazing he didn't give up himself..

09:17 PM Aug 09 2008 |

robbinshee

Myanmar

wow so amazing to play
harmonica by one-armed..

09:16 PM Aug 09 2008 |

wqgjf

wqgjf

United States

lefty is great

09:46 AM Aug 08 2008 |

elva20082008

China

I need to study from you , you are great. Even though you don't have a perfect body, you still own the perfect spirit,engery, power and confident.

08:19 PM Aug 07 2008 |

xiaoying5612

China

awesome

 

08:43 AM Aug 05 2008 |

wqgjf

wqgjf

United States

helly

04:31 AM Aug 05 2008 |

zoe.wu

zoe.wu

China

I am really really impressed~~keep going,Lefty!

02:47 PM Aug 02 2008 |

yawar

yawar

Pakistan

unbelievable.that's good person,god bless him.

01:56 PM Jul 16 2008 |

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