guitarist w/stroke

Subject: RE: guitarist w/stroke
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 May 01 - 02:22 AM

That works for me Bert. I always thought it meant Preacher's Kid!

Pekay, what do YOU mean by it? *G*

~S~

Subject: RE: guitarist w/stroke
From: Bert
Date: 07 May 01 - 02:18 AM

WYSI is right Pekay. Where the hell are you? just let us know and we'll see if we can find someone near.

Bert. (BTW did you know that a PK is a sheet metal screw?)

Subject: RE: guitarist w/stroke
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 May 01 - 01:20 AM

A friend with MS discovered that the pathways that control fingering and picking movement are not, apparently, the same as those that provide sensation for feeling the fingers actually playing. In other words, he plays numb, as long as he forgets he should not be able to and just plays with the rest of us.

Another friend cut the major nerve to her hand and discovered soemthing similar, with typing.

I realize that here you are talking about damage at the other end of the circuit, but I think these examples give us a clue. I think the main thing is to keep the commitment to PLAY, and play however you can. Don't try to relearn it all... try to learn as if it's all brand new, because, you know, it is. And don't worry if it is not like it was, in how it happens... your mind can create a whole new set of approaches to bringing the music out of you.

Maybe you even live near some Mudcatters who would love to play with you. Mudcatters.. are pretty relentlessly positive and encouraging. *G*

Glad you are here... stick around.

~S~

Subject: RE: guitarist w/stroke
From: Kaleea
Date: 07 May 01 - 12:07 AM

Pekay, I have played guitar for 30 odd years (& boy have they been odd!) and am a music therapist. If there is anything that can connect the gray matter after strokes it is MUSIC! It really fires electricity to all different areas of the brain. 1st of all, since I'm not there with you in person to see what you're playing it is difficult to advise. Ask family & fellow musicians what are your favorite recordings & wha are your favorite songs to play & what keys they are in, & go for it. Do not be concerned with mistakes or gaps as this will come back most likely as this is Music and music is what we remember even when we have amnesia & alzheimers!!! Try playing songs from your early guitar days as these may be easier. Play your favorite tunes as you can & listen often to favorite recordings as we associate listening to chord changes in the music with the motor action of changing chords. After you get to where you can play the basic chords, if you have friends you jam with, go and listen to the jams & take your guitar. At some point the music will come back & you will remember some of it. I know that you may feel as though you should not do this, so jam with understanding friends. With this you just have to step out on faith & play play play!! Good luck!!!

Subject: RE: guitarist w/stroke
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 May 01 - 08:49 PM

pekay, I hope Spud Murphy comes by. He's knowledgeable, concerned and dealing effectively with his own situation.

Good luck.

Ebbie

Subject: guitarist w/stroke
From: GUEST,pekay
Date: 06 May 01 - 07:36 PM

Hello fellow 'catters. I've lurked for awhile, but, have a question. I had a couple of small strokes 4 years ago and lost the left side of my body for awhile. After starting from scratch with fretting, I have built up my ability to maybe 3 or 4 songs in a row (used to do 4 sets of CSN to jazz). I can feel my hand and brain on the verge of full connection, so the music will flow again, as it once did. Oh, yeah, the question: Have any of you guitar (or string) players had a stroke? Recover ability to play? Learn any tricks I can beg away from you? Ever wonder about other stroked players? Maybe if we find enough kindred spirits, we can have better, faster, funner returns to what we love. Not looking for sympathy, just impatient to have it all.:-) thanks pk