Missing my guitar

[ChasUK 0]

I mentioned in another thread, (or rather Tracy did), that I had a gardening accident the day before Tracy arrived here last in June. I caught the middle and ring finger of my left hand in the blades of electric hedge trimmers nearly severing them. The gloves I was wearing is what saved them. However I did 90% sever the tendons in my middle finger and completely severed the nerves in the same finger and shaved the nerve in my ring finger.

Several weeks later I am doing much better and am putting myself through rigourous physiotherapy. My fingers are getting there but I have lost all sensation in the tip of the middle finger and now have hyper sensitivity in the ring finger.

I used to play in a band but really only play for myself now although I do intend to get back into a band when I get to Nashville. Right now I feel a bit down when I look at my guitar. Not to be too obvious about singing my own praises but I am/was a bloody good guitarist. For those of you who know I play in the style of guitarists like Marty Friedman and Steve Vai. Having taken away my ability to play from myself is really getting me down. I have started to do excercises on the guitar but it hurts and I just cannot do what I used to.

I am still not back at work but that is imminent. Not really looking for sympathy because it was my own stupidity that caused the accident but I wondered if there were other musicians out there who found themselves removed from their instruments in any form, maybe re-location or finances, who empathise?

[Fuzzness 2]

When my parents came for the wedding they brought my electric. I had a 12 string acoustic too but I sold it for about $300 and when I moved I found a 12 string fender for $190. So I ended up having a better guitar and a bit of extra cash.

But for a few weeks I didn't have anything to play and it really sucked

[type2negative 0]

When my parents came for the wedding they brought my electric. I had a 12 string acoustic too but I sold it for about $300 and when I moved I found a 12 string fender for $190. So I ended up having a better guitar and a bit of extra cash.

But for a few weeks I didn't have anything to play and it really sucked

Why didnt you use your Banjo?

[MrsWhizz 0]

My old Hofner has an electrical problem right now and I'm sooooo sad! I cannot afford to fix it right now because I would rather see my hubby next week. He will fix it for me, but until then I just look at her and sigh.... I'm supposed to be recording tonight

Other than that, I used to be a piano player and I messed up my wrist playing softball. It took me 3 or 4 years to get back to where I was! Speaking of...Chas, you may be able to play the piano in the meantime. It's a totally different movement, so you may get exercise without the pain!

[I'm Gone 60]

I mentioned in another thread, (or rather Tracy did), that I had a gardening accident the day before Tracy arrived here last in June. I caught the middle and ring finger of my left hand in the blades of electric hedge trimmers nearly severing them. The gloves I was wearing is what saved them. However I did 90% sever the tendons in my middle finger and completely severed the nerves in the same finger and shaved the nerve in my ring finger.

Several weeks later I am doing much better and am putting myself through rigourous physiotherapy. My fingers are getting there but I have lost all sensation in the tip of the middle finger and now have hyper sensitivity in the ring finger.

I used to play in a band but really only play for myself now although I do intend to get back into a band when I get to Nashville. Right now I feel a bit down when I look at my guitar. Not to be too obvious about singing my own praises but I am/was a bloody good guitarist. For those of you who know I play in the style of guitarists like Marty Friedman and Steve Vai. Having taken away my ability to play from myself is really getting me down. I have started to do excercises on the guitar but it hurts and I just cannot do what I used to.

Not familiar with Marty Friedman. How about Joe Satriani? If you can't play chords, can't you work on picking up slide and finger picking. Not the same, but at least it gives you something to do on the guitar.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Sorry to hear this, Chas. Can't relate in any way, not being a musician, but I do know that many musicians see playing as very stress-relieving and a big part of themselves. I'm sure it's been really tough to have that taken away for the time being. At least, although I'm sure it'll be little comfort to you right now!, you *will* get back to playing! Hope you heal soon, and are back at it before you thought possible. M.

edited to say: that said, I did have organ lessons as a child, and we still have an organ gathering dust here in the livingroom. (was the one I had at home--mom getting rid of it, which is why I 'inherited' it!) I never did learn to play as well as I might have liked, and nowdays I prefer piano, although I never had any lessons on one. Someday I'd like to try it again.

Edited September 5, 2006 by MichelleandCraig

[ChasUK 0]

My old Hofner has an electrical problem right now and I'm sooooo sad! I cannot afford to fix it right now because I would rather see my hubby next week. He will fix it for me, but until then I just look at her and sigh.... I'm supposed to be recording tonight

Other than that, I used to be a piano player and I messed up my wrist playing softball. It took me 3 or 4 years to get back to where I was! Speaking of...Chas, you may be able to play the piano in the meantime. It's a totally different movement, so you may get exercise without the pain!

Yikes!!!! 3 or 4 years!!!!!! I sooooo feel for you. That must have been terrible. I sure hope it doesn't take me that long. Re-learning things is such a daunting prospect for me. I haven't tinkled on the ivories for years. My mother used to have a piano and it was my first instrument to learn. Been through the trombone and euphonium in the meantime but really dedicated myself to guitar in the end. It is true though. Pianists and guitarists can both benefit from those long fingers. I would play keyboards right now if I had one but one instrument generates enough costs as it is, but I wouldn't rule it out in the future.

Not familiar with Marty Friedman. How about Joe Satriani? If you can't play chords, can't you work on picking up slide and finger picking. Not the same, but at least it gives you something to do on the guitar.

Yeah, Satch is in exactly the same vein as Marty and Vai but I've not worked on any of his stuff ..... yet. Have you seen any of the G3 material? The picking style is not my problem though as it's my left hand and I'm right handed so whatever style I pick I still have to fret notes with the injured fingers.

Sorry to hear this, Chas. Can't relate in any way, not being a musician, but I do know that many musicians see playing as very stress-relieving and a big part of themselves. I'm sure it's been really tough to have that taken away for the time being. At least, although I'm sure it'll be little comfort to you right now!, you *will* get back to playing! Hope you heal soon, and are back at it before you thought possible. M.

edited to say: that said, I did have organ lessons as a child, and we still have an organ gathering dust here in the livingroom. (was the one I had at home--mom getting rid of it, which is why I 'inherited' it!) I never did learn to play as well as I might have liked, and nowdays I prefer piano, although I never had any lessons on one. Someday I'd like to try it again.

Thanks. It's rare that any non musician can appreciate what it means to not be able play. It's not the same as not being able to drive or cook or whatever. As you said it's a part of the musician and leaves an empty hole that nothing else can fill. Not for long anyway.

I gotta add though, why 'someday'? If you love music and you know you could have the ability to play, go for it. You don't need an audience to really love playing,... although it's nice now and again. LOL

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

When my parents came for the wedding they brought my electric. I had a 12 string acoustic too but I sold it for about $300 and when I moved I found a 12 string fender for $190. So I ended up having a better guitar and a bit of extra cash.

But for a few weeks I didn't have anything to play and it really sucked

Why didnt you use your Banjo?

ya know, you're gonna get

for comments like that........

[I'm Gone 60]

Yeah, Satch is in exactly the same vein as Marty and Vai but I've not worked on any of his stuff ..... yet. Have you seen any of the G3 material? The picking style is not my problem though as it's my left hand and I'm right handed so whatever style I pick I still have to fret notes with the injured fingers.

Not heard any G3 stuff. I suggested the slide since you wouldn't need much movement in the left hand and the finger picking, since your right hand is OK. That way your guitar just doesn't sit.

I'm a guitar hack and I like the blues based rock guitar playing. My favorite is Rory Gallagher, but I like stuff like ZZ Top, Foghat. Climax Blues band, Cream.

[Fuzzness 2]

When my parents came for the wedding they brought my electric. I had a 12 string acoustic too but I sold it for about $300 and when I moved I found a 12 string fender for $190. So I ended up having a better guitar and a bit of extra cash.

But for a few weeks I didn't have anything to play and it really sucked

Why didnt you use your Banjo?

ya know, you're gonna get

for comments like that........

just ignore it and it will go away

[ChasUK 0]

Not heard any G3 stuff. I suggested the slide since you wouldn't need much movement in the left hand and the finger picking, since your right hand is OK. That way your guitar just doesn't sit.

I'm a guitar hack and I like the blues based rock guitar playing. My favorite is Rory Gallagher, but I like stuff like ZZ Top, Foghat. Climax Blues band, Cream.

Right. I get ya. I could do that but that's not where my guitar love is based. I would be able to make the guitar make music, but not the music that inspires me. Also it wouldn't really be excercising my fingers to help them get back to where I need them to. It hurts, sure, but I have to expect that and I think that by using the fingers to fret notes will actually help them heal quicker.

Although blues based guitar is not my love, as a guitar player I still have shivers when I hear it done well.

G3, btw, is Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and one other guitarist famous for his skills. That third guitarist changes on each tour. It has been Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen and John Petrucci on three previous tours. They have CDs and DVDs out, but the point is it's a guitarist extavaganza on tour.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

The 'someday' is strictly because of cash flow at moment! I would like to have some actual lessons again, and, even here in this small town, I've read in the paper that someone started offering voice and music lessons in the last few months--so I wouldn't have to travel far, but...money! That also brings up a new issue though...I would really love to play piano now, as opposed to the organ, and I need...ermmm...a piano for that! I do, once in a great while, pick at the organ, but I only remember a few songs by heart. I guess I do understand to a point, though, because neither Craig nor I feel we could 'live' without music...heh, and you just get so involved with it when you're playing. (ha..now I have the urge to get over there and play something, and I haven't done in months!!!) I'm one of those people that reallyyyyy gets into it when we go see a band or something.... lol. My friend Peggy was the maid of honor at our wedding, and her hubby is the drummer in a local well-known band....I know how he might feel if he suddenly couldn't drum anymore...it's a huge part of his life! Anyway, sorry for the ramble. I remember reading Tracy's post about your injury, and hope you get better really soon! M.

[ChasUK 0]

The 'someday' is strictly because of cash flow at moment! I would like to have some actual lessons again, and, even here in this small town, I've read in the paper that someone started offering voice and music lessons in the last few months--so I wouldn't have to travel far, but...money! That also brings up a new issue though...I would really love to play piano now, as opposed to the organ, and I need...ermmm...a piano for that! I do, once in a great while, pick at the organ, but I only remember a few songs by heart. I guess I do understand to a point, though, because neither Craig nor I feel we could 'live' without music...heh, and you just get so involved with it when you're playing. (ha..now I have the urge to get over there and play something, and I haven't done in months!!!) I'm one of those people that reallyyyyy gets into it when we go see a band or something.... lol. My friend Peggy was the maid of honor at our wedding, and her hubby is the drummer in a local well-known band....I know how he might feel if he suddenly couldn't drum anymore...it's a huge part of his life! Anyway, sorry for the ramble. I remember reading Tracy's post about your injury, and hope you get better really soon! M.

I hear ya on the cash flow. Music can be a very expensive hobby or pastime. I could spend thousands if I had it.

Thanks for the well wishes too.

[TracyTN 237]

My poor, guitar playing cutie.

[rebeccajo 14]

Chas, Wes is reminded of Rick Allen from Def Leppard when he lost his arm. Now there's a guy that was determined to keep drumming - I'm sure you know the story.

I myself can't play an instument nor sing. But there's plenty of music in our house, what with my son being a music major and my husband being an afficiando of blues. I remember when Zach got his braces - about 2 days after the 'installation' he put his horn to his lips and the sound that came out was dreadful. He was startled - I was devastated and terrified that I had hampered his ability to advance his skills for the length of the procedure. He had to 'relearn' his ambuchure. His private instructor said it could actually make him a better player as now he had to learn to 'move air' and not just rely on lip position. That ended up being very true - one can now easily pick him out in any emsemble because of the volume of sound he creates. Now that the braces are off, hopefully he can refine his technique a bit more and combine his strengthened lung function with finer ambuchure skills to create the high notes most people think a trombone cannot make!