luckylarry
Student Of The Blues
This post mostly relates to overcoming physical/mental impediments when playing/learning guitar. First I will use myself as an example. I took up the guitar about 7 or so years ago. Should be pretty good by now. However, when I started I had just had major surgery on my right shoulder. Many weeks of rehab. I still watched videos and did what I could. Operation was not a success so I had a shoulder replacement. Things seemed better after rehab. Good to go....not so fast. I am 75 so arthritis progressed. Back,both wrists, and left thumb. A few months ago my leg fell asleep and I didn't realize it. As I stood up I fell injuring my left thumb. After a few months my thumb was sti sore. Went to the doctor and was told the pain was from sever arthritis. Got a cortisone shot in the thumb this week but they take a few days before it works. I can't do barre chords because squeezing hurts the thumb.
Through all this I kept playing as much as I could but not as much as I wanted. Lately I have been trying to learn slide guitar as an alternative. I hate that most of what I have learned is useless for slide. Theory has really helped understand slide but the technique is totally different.
So why am I posting this? Many on the forum are of a certain age and others may be able to relate or have similar issues. If so how do you handle the situation.?
Giving up is not an option. I have invested a lot of time and money in learning guitar. As well the doctor said that joints with arthritis should be gently exercised.
Thoughts, ideas,experience from any and all would be appreciated.
Through all this I kept playing as much as I could but not as much as I wanted. Lately I have been trying to learn slide guitar as an alternative. I hate that most of what I have learned is useless for slide. Theory has really helped understand slide but the technique is totally different.
So why am I posting this? Many on the forum are of a certain age and others may be able to relate or have similar issues. If so how do you handle the situation.?
Giving up is not an option. I have invested a lot of time and money in learning guitar. As well the doctor said that joints with arthritis should be gently exercised.
Thoughts, ideas,experience from any and all would be appreciated.