What happens if I ripped the volume control button ribbon?

While trying to do the teardown for my ipod i took off the battery and logic board and with that my ribbon ripped. I am so heart broken that this happened and when i tried to figure out how to repair it and it said to Solder it. I have NO idea what that is so I REALLY don't want to attempt that. I know it controls the power button and the volume control buttons, i rarely turn it off and it does lock by itself.

Will the volume still be there? Like do i need the ribbon to have volume at all in my ipod? i can live with out the buttons RIGHT?!