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What is Left Hand Lemonade?

Left Hand Lemonade™ is an inspiring story of resilience and triumph when my life suddenly and drastically changed in an unexpected instant. I share my story in hopes that it lifts you up and brings encouragement during these surreal times.

For more than 40 years, sharing my music talent has been my profession and my passion. That almost came to an end on June 27, 2017. 
 

My world came crashing down on me when I tripped over a curb in a shopping center. I tried to catch myself, but all of the sudden I was on the hard, cold cement pavement looking at my right hand ring finger screaming. It looked so deformed I thought it must have fallen off. My finger was crushed, and so was my soul.   

Between June 2017 and Oct 2019:

  • two immediate surgeries to heal seven complicated fractures
  • an unexpected bone slip between surgeries 
  • a diagnosis of  CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
  • being told by a medical professional that I'd never play piano again
  • trauma therapy
  • successful alternative therapies to treat CRPS
  • two occupational therapy sessions weekly 
  • two more surgeries to increase range of motion
  • hourly hand stretches 
  • sleeping with customized hand splints
  • marriage to my hand paraffin wax bath

During a consultation with my hand surgeon, he said, “You've been through so much, and you do it all with a smile and an attitude of gratitude. I hope you write a book when this is all said and done.”

 

That conversation inspired the birth of Left Hand Lemonade™, a memoir I've been writing for the last year, about a musician's journey from tragedy to triumph. Plans to turn Left Hand Lemonade™ into an album of piano music for left hand only are also in the works. 

Throughout my continuing right hand recovery, I've been performing concerts with my left hand only while sharing my story of resilience. I didn't listen to a hand therapist early on who told me I'd never perform again with two hands. Instead, I gradually added my right hand to my left during my performances. “Little by little”, my new hand therapist kept saying. And, she was right. I'm now playing with both hands. 

When the coronavirus pandemic erupted, I performed my first ever Facebook Live Concert, hosted by GroupmuseReceiving this feedback warmed my heart. 

“You hold our hearts while you play.”

“This was very inspiring during a difficult time.” 

“Your concert was the best thing I've seen since the crisis began. I was in tears at several points.”  

I always saw Left Hand Lemonade as a multi-media piece, and hence the birth of the weekly Left Hand Lemonade (fb) Live with Lisa on Saturday nights. 
 
Pour yourself a tall glass of your favorite drink, squeeze in some lemon and get ready for the Lisa lemonade transformation. Join me from your home as I share a short reading from my unfinished memoir, Left Hand Lemonade, and perform music for one and two hands, while lifting your spirits during this surreal time. While we can't touch hands, allow me to use five or 10 fingers on the piano keys to connect our hearts through music and stories of resilience. 

Thank you to these patrons who contributed to the making of
Left Hand Lemonade Live

Angela Gilligan

Erica Sofrina

Linda Schurer

Candace Troy

Colette Brown

Cynthia Mullen

Joan Lowenstein

Ian McGee

Elena Dillon

Tammy Damon

M. Cecilia Sternzon

Nancy Quickert

Pamela Fisher

Eric Hartwig

Elizabeth Brown

Maryann Chwalek

Carol Lee

Eric Hartwig

Carol Rossi

Reidun Sognnaes

 

The Left Hand Lemonade weekly FB Lives are  completely free and open to all. If contributing is feasible, tips will help with operating costs, equipment and preparation time. PayPal.me/LisaSpector 

Left Hand Lemonade Album Fundraiser
11/14/20

Election Survival Music
11/2/20

Election Survival Music for Anti-Anxiety
10/27/20

Election Survival Music for Focus
10/22/20

Election Survival Music for Anti-Anxiety
10/21/20

Demystifying Classical Musicians

Saturday night Facebook Lives continue into a new format, while working with Facebook's restrictions on creating “Music Experiences.” If you know me, you know I always find a way. We bring you interviews with interesting classical musicians who share some of their music while we unravel the mysteries around being a classical musician.

Happy Hour with Flutist Viviana Guzman
10/17/20

Happy Hour with Lyric Soprano Erica Sofrina
10/3/20

Left Hand Lemonade (fb) Lives with Lisa 

Kol Nidre by Bruch and Music of Jewish Composers 9/26/20

Theme and Variations
9/19/20

Stars, Elise and The Clown
Music inspired by children
9/12/20

Adagio
9/5/20

Groupmuse hosts Red, White &
Rhapsody in Blue on YouTube Live
8/29/20

Etudes for one and two hands
8/15/20

Music for one and two hands in memory of Leon Fleisher
8/8/20

Go for Baroque
7/25/20

French Soirée
7/18/20

Demystifying Classical Music
7/11/20

Dog Gone Calm During Fireworks
7/4/20

Red, White & Rhapsody in Blue
6/27/20

Nocturnes
6/20/20

Transcriptions 

6/13/20

Latin music of Piazzolla and Villa-Lobos
6/6/20

Preludes: Bach, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Chopin
5/30/20

Sonatas: Scarlatti, Haydn, Chopin
5/23/20

New Music for Dogs
5/16/20

All Left Hand Program
5/9/20

Handemic Music: Anti-anxiety, focus, creativity, sonic caffeine
5/2/20

All Chopin
4/25/20

Somber music for one and two hands
4/18/20

Launch of Left Hand Lemonade (fb) Live with Lisa
Bach for one hand, Brahms for two
4/11/20

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Free ​Piano Ninja Tricks

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BONUS: 5 Tricks for Easy Fingering

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