bonzoboy Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Lately I have began to notice a slight day by day improvement in my hands,about a month after my 3rd Remicade infusion.Each day my tolerence to playing seems to increase and my ability to play grows by a minute or 2 every day,that doesn't seem like much but after a year it could mean over 6 hours-which would be plenty for gigging.I keep trying Voodoo Child(slight return),Machine Gun,The Star Spangled Banner and Angel but my fingers still don't cooperate like they should and consequently my speed has decreased by at least 80% and now I have to go over the notes at a glacial pace and try to gradually increase the tempo. Now I am getting some idea how frustrating it must have been for Django Reinhardt and Les Paul to get back in the saddle after their hands became afflicted with disabilities. Anyway I intend to keep plugging at it until I'm satisfied with my playing and not what others think because even though people feel that they are doing you a favour by praising your playing they are in reality giving you a false sense of confidence when they should be telling you to keep at it.It's going to be a hard uphill climb but my desire to get playing as well as I used to is overwhelming so I have to keep at the finger/hand strengthening exercises until I can do at the very least a 3 step bend.In order to play authentic Hendrix covers (or Albert King or Buddy Guy for that matter)you have to be able to do very deep bends to sound either bit convincing and this requires very strong fingers especially.My Chiropractor has prescribed a silica sand filled bag for me to squeeze and manipulate while watching TV etc. to keep up the strength in my fingers and to keep them limber.With any luck,within a year or so I may be satisfied enough with my playing to get out gigging again.Several fellow musicians have expressed interest in getting a British Invasion era cover band up and running when I get my playing up to my standards-some of these guys I've played with before and I know that they are seasoned and committed players.I really miss playing professionally,after gigging since I was 15 it has just gotten into my blood,I also miss being set upon by hordes of adoring fans....lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderGuy1 Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Hope it gets better actually but I am still hovering over those vintage strats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvinator Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Glad it's helping - Keep working on it and you'll get there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Hey, that's good news. My wife has arthritis, and I know that anything she can do to get her joints loosened up a little helps a lot. I hope you keep improving. Django had to play up and down the fretboard with what, 2 good fingers? So you're in good company! Look at how Les Paul played when he was older - kind of sliding up and down the fretboard. Hopefully you can play enough to have some fun at it and get to playing regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyMoon Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Hope it gets better actually but I am still hovering over those vintage strats Omg dude....do ya not remember last time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe5YbW7ewjc Forgive him, cause he knows not...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderGuy1 Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Lol wtf was that for? I've just been looking thru his window at his vintage strats and a Marshall head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LT ED Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Hope that things keep improving. [thumbup] sounds like a bit of a challenge, good look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted June 5, 2012 Author Share Posted June 5, 2012 Fender Guy 1,you'd never get the strength to pry any of them from my cold dead hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderGuy1 Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 I've been working my hands on guitar for the last year and a half and my strength has improved, If i DO pry one of em from ur cold dead hands i would ride that Strat all over the world Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 That's great D........An idea for reconnecting your mind with your hand; In addition to your regular practice and strength building, perhaps try doing scales, etc, without putting pressure on the strings; ie, just put enough pressure on the strings to feel them....... I do this quite a bit in order to get extra practice in without stressing my wrist muscles...My mind learns new notes and riffs without the actual muscle stressings......Yeah, I'm middle aged, and I want to practice without over doing it...Just an idea........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Really great to hear that, Bonzo. [thumbup] P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Best wishes to you, this sounds very hard to deal with, glad it seems to be working. Presume you have gone to a lighter string set? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 YAY! good news -- hope it all returns satisfactory for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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