Eyesight Challenges

[duluthdan]

As a result of drugs and disease my eyesight is fading fast. In the event I post something with missing letters or spelling, that isn not caught by spell chaco, it is not because I live in Colorado, USA where Marijuana is now legal. I haven't touched the stuff for 38 years. Can't afford the retail stuff, and not sure you can eve find homegrown anymore. I miss frets, I miss strings. I can't play in dimly lit bars at a all, and when id perform at the occasional barn jam, I have taken to wearing one of those caps that has a light in the visor that shines down toward the fretboard. I also have little tactile feeling in my left hand, so when my fingers get out of position on the fretboard, a whole new song comes out, mostly sounding what I imagine a Chinese Balad might sound like. Such is life. So my rare YouTube postings will become less and less(the crowd roars its approval ) On a brighter note, I had occasion to play a brand new song for a rather talented player last Saturday, and Jackson requested I email it to him so he could record it. No not Browne... May be a few weeks, he's on tour, but I'll try and do it and follow up. I did loan him my JB to take on tour.

[kelly campbell]

As a result of drugs and disease my eyesight is fading fast. In the event I post something with missing letters or spelling, that isn not caught by spell chaco, it is not because I live in Colorado, USA where Marijuana is now legal. I haven't touched the stuff for 38 years. Can't afford the retail stuff, and not sure you can eve find homegrown anymore. I miss frets, I miss strings. I can't play in dimly lit bars at a all, and when id perform at the occasional barn jam, I have taken to wearing one of those caps that has a light in the visor that shines down toward the fretboard. I also have little tactile feeling in my left hand, so when my fingers get out of position on the fretboard, a whole new song comes out, mostly sounding what I imagine a Chinese Balad might sound like. Such is life. So my rare YouTube postings will become less and less(the crowd roars its approval ) On a brighter note, I had occasion to play a brand new song for a rather talented player last Saturday, and Jackson requested I email it to him so he could record it. No not Browne... May be a few weeks, he's on tour, but I'll try and do it and follow up. I did loan him my JB to take on tour.

Sorry to hear of your health issues and its effect on your playing hang in there sounds as if you are doing what you can to enhance the situation...may I ask what disease??

[EuroAussie]

Very sorry to hear that Dan, keep you chin up and a positive spirit, which you clearly have !

[62burst]

Someone once told me the learning comes faster when we stop looking at the fretboard. But not so easy with compromised feel in the left hand. Sorry to hear about your situation, Dan. I put a tiny dot of electrical tape on the neck of a guitar that doesn't have position markers on top; lasts maybe a few minutes. I ended up just grabbing a permanent marker. Not original, but Good Enough. Maybe you could find something with a better adhesive to "hit" your hand while sliding up the neck to let you know where your hand is (?).

 

It is amazing the pain/discomfort we can endure when we focus on someone other than ourselves. The "Introduce Yourself" pinned thread at the top of this forum is found abundantly peppered with your greetings to the newbs. That sort of focus you already have- surely I speak for all here when I wish you the other kind of focus as well.

[jedzep]

No fun, Dan. I wish you strength in your battle and strength in your hand. Maybe have a detailer paint a skinny line along the edge of your fingerboard in white, like a binding, to mark positions.

 

Life's a beach.

[BluesKing777]

I play better if I don't look! All that music reading has my hands doing something while I look at the page/ipad and ....errrrrr...shhhhh...TV!

 

So don't look. Hands and guitar playing sure are weird things if you think about it.... I once saw Angus from ACDC start the show playing while running down the roof of a huge stadium and then down all these stairs and then climb on to the speakers and he never missed a note of a song every one would know!

 

On another front, there is software/apps called Dragon Speaking which after a bit of setup, can type what you speak! People use it for everything from mental notes for business to complete drafts for novels from writers.....It then needs editing just like the stupid spellcheckers get real horrible clangers. Maybe a friend or family member could help load it, and I guess you may need help in general.

 

All the best and keep playing!

 

 

BluesKing777.

[capmaster]

As a result of drugs and disease my eyesight is fading fast. In the event I post something with missing letters or spelling, that isn not caught by spell chaco, it is not because I live in Colorado, USA where Marijuana is now legal. I haven't touched the stuff for 38 years. Can't afford the retail stuff, and not sure you can eve find homegrown anymore. I miss frets, I miss strings. I can't play in dimly lit bars at a all, and when id perform at the occasional barn jam, I have taken to wearing one of those caps that has a light in the visor that shines down toward the fretboard. I also have little tactile feeling in my left hand, so when my fingers get out of position on the fretboard, a whole new song comes out, mostly sounding what I imagine a Chinese Balad might sound like. Such is life. So my rare YouTube postings will become less and less(the crowd roars its approval ) On a brighter note, I had occasion to play a brand new song for a rather talented player last Saturday, and Jackson requested I email it to him so he could record it. No not Browne... May be a few weeks, he's on tour, but I'll try and do it and follow up. I did loan him my JB to take on tour.

 

About forty years after a school sport accident damaging the suspensory ligament in my left eye, the lens broke in late 2011. During 2012, they implanted artificial lenses into both my eyes. I see better than ever before. I need three pairs of glasses for different viewing distances, using the "middle" one while writing this in front of a screen. In case your lenses are affected, this perhaps could be a solution for your problems. Just a suggestion.

 

I lost about 70 % of my tactile sense of my left hand due to CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), and about 85 % of my right hand due to a malicious insult committed by my then wife two days after my right hand's CTS surgery. Since the damage left in my right hand is beyond cure, I won't have my left hand operated since this would make me even more onesided. Making my way back to approximately my previous abilities on guitar took me five years.

[duluthdan]

Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, and Pan Uveitis affecting my Retinas. Precipitated my move from rather cold and gray Minnesota to the semi-arid rather consistent sunshine of the western slope mountains in Colorado. I'll slog thru, always do, it is just important to me that people don't look at my posts and think I'm drunk. Haven't had alcohol of any significant quantity for 30 years. Well, its sorta cured my GAS. I think I could be happy with just the Legend, and the TV. Lately been pounding out J Denver songs on the 200 trying to get ready for JD week in Aspen in October. Will be good to hear all those ladies in the JD club from Australia sing all the words - I only know 1st verses

[capmaster]

Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, and Pan Uveitis affecting my Retinas. Precipitated my move from rather cold and gray Minnesota to the semi-arid rather consistent sunshine of the western slope mountains in Colorado. I'll slog thru, always do, it is just important to me that people don't look at my posts and think I'm drunk. Haven't had alcohol of any significant quantity for 30 years. Well, its sorta cured my GAS. I think I could be happy with just the Legend, and the TV. Lately been pounding out J Denver songs on the 200 trying to get ready for JD week in Aspen in October. Will be good to hear all those ladies in the JD club from Australia sing all the words - I only know 1st verses

So sorry for you, mate. Sadly new eye lenses wouldn't be the cure in your situation. :(

 

Be sure I never thought you were drunk. I hope your move will be of help. All of my best wishes for th forthcoming JD week from here.

[mountainpicker]

duluthdan-Never once thought any of your writing was drunken sounding or anything but completely normal. Compared to some things I've said here you've always struck me as the epitome of gracious and thoughtful. Be not concerned with how you've "come off" here. Until your revelation in this post I don't think anyone would have suspected you are having physical or mental issues. It may not sound like a compliment but you appear more normal than most normal people. Especially for being a Coloradan! We are all afflicted in one way or another, yes? One thing that came to mind about guitars when I read your post, was if a nylon stringed instrument might allow you to play more pain free? As for physical challenges, along the way to where I currently am in my own playing ability, every time I think I can't do something on the guitar I think of Django's left hand and Doc Watson's eyes. It never fails but to humble me into just pressing on. Best of luck to you and to your own journey.

[E-minor7]

Sorry to read this, Duluth. Always enjoy your posts, which usually are insightful, focused and not seldom spiced with humour.

 

Remember a track or two you presented at some point. They had the feel and spirit like your words.

 

May you keep playing - sailing down these pages many bends further. . .

 

 

 

[aerohead]

DuluthDan I can tell you that the Gibson forum would not be the same place without you. Feel free to misspell any and all words or even post drunk if you are so inclined. I know I would enjoy being part of any guitar circle that you belted out that seldom heard John Denver Chinese ballad! Some people are good to be around even if every note they play is wrong while others can play every note perfectly and still be hard to listen to.

[Smurfbird]

Dan,

 

I've long considered you one of the forum's leaders. Your kindness and evenhandedness have been an inspiration and often a lesson to everyone. May you have many more years of playing ahead of you. And don't even think of leaving over a few misspelled words. This board knows your heart.

 

Best wishes and positive vibes to you and yours.

 

Rob (SD)

[MorrisrownSal]

Dan this bums me out, but know you have friends here.

 

Smile Fierce!

[Fullmental Alpinist]

DuluthDan,

 

Like others here I've always considered you a leader on this forum (although your choice to live at 8000 feet is a bit daffy. I struggle at 4k and can't wait until I'm at sea level.)

 

My prayers are with you (I've heard that they travel even farther up than Aspen). And I always look forward to your posts.

 

FMA

[QuestionMark]

Just want you to know you have friends here. Really appreciate all your posts and musicianship.

 

Jazzman Jeff aka QM

[fortyearspickn]

Many of us here are in the same boat, or are on the dock. Keep at what you love - you still play way better than I, and should enjoy it proportionately more!

[Kaiser Bill]

Dan...I'm saddened to hear of your plight. Is there nothing the medicos can do for you?? Perhaps a stronger eye glass prescription? Don't quit pickin'. We need all the good guys we can muster. There is the Dragon naturalyspeaking that will type anything you say, and a free download called Dictation Pro. Let them do all the heavy lifting. Hang in there we are all pulling for you.

[duluthdan]

Thanks for all the kind thoughts. I'm not "done", I'm just entering a corner of life faster than I thought I might. Thanks for the dictation software tips, wonder if it would recognize my sometimes slurred speech. That might be interesting. But I am fortunate in that , except for a couple of faster exchanges in my songs, I am somewhat blessed by what I call the Mel Tillis syndrome, in that my slurred speech isn't much there when I sing - maybe i should go thru life singing. I have a thing I am playing at in Denver next week, kind of a private barn party to usher in winter that I have played at for a number of years, have some new material written and ready, an old folks sing-along up at a mountain cabin in 2 weeks, and the JD thing in a month. It will work. I will not die. I'm still plaiyn', just changing a bit, don't like it all that much, but it is what it is. Thru some new Sunbeams on the J-45 in preparation, polishing up the J-200, and crossing my fingers !

[AnneS]

Thanks for all the kind thoughts. I'm not "done", I'm just entering a corner of life faster than I thought I might. Thanks for the dictation software tips, wonder if it would recognize my sometimes slurred speech. That might be interesting. But I am fortunate in that , except for a couple of faster exchanges in my songs, I am somewhat blessed by what I call the Mel Tillis syndrome, in that my slurred speech isn't much there when I sing - maybe i should go thru life singing. I have a thing I am playing at in Denver next week, kind of a private barn party to usher in winter that I have played at for a number of years, have some new material written and ready, an old folks sing-along up at a mountain cabin in 2 weeks, and the JD thing in a month. It will work. I will not die. I'm still plaiyn', just changing a bit, don't like it all that much, but it is what it is. Thru some new Sunbeams on the J-45 in preparation, polishing up the J-200, and crossing my fingers !

Can we expect some video? Seems I remember a lone post from a ways back.

Among the first songs I "heard" in the new guitar was, inexplicably, "I Think I'd Rather Be a Cowboy," always a tricky prospect for a girl singer. But I find it's never good to question the muse, right?

Keep on keepin' on, Dan- to one of the nicest guys in a room full of nice guys. Thanks for sharing your kind self here.

[Dave F]

Dan,

 

Sorry about your health. It's hell getting old but it beats the alternative. I'm sure with your positive attitude you'll make the adjustments and keep on pluggin' away.

 

If you do not critique my spelling and playing, I will not critique yours.

 

Best of luck,

 

Dave

 

 

 

[tpbiii]

Hi Dan,

 

I really want to say something to you, but I am not sure how to approach it. So I will just dive in.

 

My daughter has a duo, based in Houston, called "Dead Girl Songs" -- they have an extreme mountain traditional style that is sort of like Hazel and Alice. When they come spring and fall to Georgia to play at a festival there, we put together a 5-piece band for the performance. Besides my wife a (bass) and I (guitar/harmonica), there is also my daughter Tracy Jo, her bandmate Kelly, a clawhammer player named Lee, and a lead guitar player named Rick.

 

Kelly has MD and cannot walk at all, and both Lee and Rick are legally blind.

 

Kelly was born with MD. When we first met her 10 years ago, she could walk a bit with crunches, but no more. She has a robotic wheelchair that looks normal, but responds to very light forces because she does not have enough strength to use a normal wheel chair. She can drive a special van, but she must be helped in and out.

 

Lee is an albino -- legally blind from birth. He can sort of see -- he must put objects right up against his eyes with a magnifier. He could never drive.

 

Rick has retinitis pigmentosa, which is degenerating. He can only see objects in front of him, he can no longer drive, he uses a stick to walk, and he can't really navigate in the dark.

 

But nonetheless this is one of the best bands, made up of the some of most accomplished people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. "Dead Girls Songs" can light up a traditional audience that routinely rejects modern music styles and performances. Kelly (and Tracy) both have Ph.D.s from the Creative Writing Program from the University of Houston (top CR Ph.D. program in the US), and both are published poets and songwriters. Kelly plays guitar -- and clawhammer banjo, at which she excels after less than two years. She has a traditional voice to die for.

 

Lee is a professional quality musician, particularly on bass, who has fronted many bands. His knowledge of traditional music is encyclopedic, and he is really smart, witty, and engaging. Professionally he is a Systems Programmer for Microsoft, and although his office is in Redmond, lives and telecommutes from Atlanta.

 

Rick played and toured professionally in the 70s and 80s. He was one of the pioneer flat-pickers from that era -- think GOO, Ralph Emery, Hee Haw, etc.. His band played the last GOO at the Ryman and the first at the Opryland -- and he is also that good on electric guitar.

 

As near as I can tell none of these people dwells on their impediments -- they just craft their lives using their gifts. It is such a joy to know them, not only for the music they make but also for the joy they bring to living.

 

Best,

 

-Tom

[duluthdan]

Tom, I’ve seen clips of your band, fine musicians all! I think you have shared some of the descriptions of some of the members challenges, but not to this extent. Twenty years ago, or so, I started using the phrase “smile Fierce !!!”, as a sort of “Grin and Bear It - but with a passionate attitude. Sounds like your band mates embrace the attitude. Do what you can, don’t dwell on what you can’t. Took me decades to discover that, and its much more fun, I agree, to do what you “can". Just don’t be scratching your head at a mis-spelling or 2 as it get s harder for to see these damn little letters, and be patient if my hack playing becomes even hacker. If that’s a word.

 

Let's Pick

 

DD

[MissouriPicker]

Dan, don't fret over any spelling errors. I have to re-type literally every post I make because of errors. Beyond that, I have always thought of you as a "voice of reason" in here. You can laugh at the asinine and make sense out of the incomprehensible. Just keep pushing forward and being yourself. You're one of the reasons I keep hanging-around here after I got pissed at this forum's video policy or whatever it is. Actually, you're kind of the personification of what makes this forum a good place to hang-out and shoot the proverbial bull. You have a commonsense way of putting the bullshit in its place......Anyway, apologies for spelling are not needed, but just the fact that you tend to believe they are shows the kind of person you are. You're "top shelf" in my book. Keep doing what you're doing and do it for many more years.

[BluesKing777]

That's funny, MP!

 

Spell checker makes more spelling errors than you, Dan.

 

Keep at it.

 

 

 

BluesKing777.