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Hi All,
Mostly just been poking around this past month. Had that revision Mastoidectomy on June 5th. I've picked up the guitar almost every day, but nothing too strenouis. Maybe some strumming, maybe some really slow songs. Only did a 2 hour stretch one time and that was quite enough. Not played anything fast, not have I done any singing, save some near whispers for parts of songs.
Got my amps' volume almost where they were before the procedure, which were still very low. Mostly some softer Pink Floyd and Stones stuff. A couple others thrown in here or there.
At first, it was no amp. After a few days, I turned the amp on a tiny bit so that it's a lot quieter than the accoustic. I guess last week was when I got semi-serious and tried to actually work on songs. The open-barre-open chord transitions were worse than normal, but came back pretty quickly. My strumming hand felt a lot looser, so I've been seeing when that does and does not work. Odd how a small layoff can spark a positive change.
Still not ready for prime time. Lots of swelling left and lots of hearing sensitivity left too. Trying not to do dumb stuff. Still spending most of my time laying down or back in the recliner, but starting to get some energy back in small spurts.
Well, pretty soon I'll be back working onsome songs for the Hear Hear section.
Hope all is well with everyone.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Posted : 08/07/2009 2:42 am
Good luck getting back going Roy, can't wait to hear more!
In Space, no one can hear me sing!
Posted : 08/07/2009 3:01 am
Really glad you are making some improvements :D I can relate to that :D I'm still up for a right total hip replacement in November. I would like to get it done like this week but my cardiologist still wants to keep me on Plavix until November :( I'm barely able to get through my 3 shifts a week and have started using a cane. But, its only pain :D
Posted : 08/07/2009 3:14 am
hang in there buddy. recover slow and sure.
hoping this one sticks.
Posted : 08/07/2009 10:35 am
Best wishes on a quick, but easy recovery, Roy!
Jim
Posted : 08/07/2009 10:48 am
Take it easy Roy and speedy recovery and SDog you too
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
Posted : 08/07/2009 11:47 am
Take it slow and steady and you'll be back to form in no time. I can't imagine having something interfering w/ playing music. I know that has to frustrate you. My girlfriend had half a tree blow down during a storm a few weeks ago and I had to get out the chainsaw to get all the fallen stuff out of the yard. My first thought was hoping I didn't cut off any fingers or hands because I wouldn't be able to play bass or guitar. Then I realized that I also kinda need those fingers and hands for work, since my job is working on software all day. Then I thought, they have pretty good speech recognition now days for computers, but not for basses.
Posted : 08/07/2009 12:03 pm
I hope this one gives you some real improvement Roy. We miss you around here!
Posted : 08/07/2009 12:05 pm
I'm really glad to hear that things are getting better for you, Roy! Don't push it! Just do what feels right. And, we DO miss you! :D
..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´ -:¦:- Elecktrablue -:¦:-
"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"
Posted : 08/07/2009 12:40 pm
glad to see you and Sdoggie are on the mend, hope it continues.
#4491....
Posted : 08/07/2009 12:42 pm
Topic starter
Thanks everyone. Yeah, I'm not doing a whole lot of stupid things. I've got a little waist-high deck garden that I water twice a day. My wife planted it for me, but it gives me something quick and easy to do without bending. Lots of containers, Topsy-turvy hangers and some of those window box shaped things with brackets that hang off the deck rail. Cooking a couple nights a week.
Anyhow, back to guitars. A couple changes I've noticed. First, I think I am hearing the lows a bit more now. I sat down with my Epi LP last week and noticed that it was really thick and dark in the neck position. Something I've not heard before, but have heard people complain about. I strummed it a few times, double checked tuning, double checked my amp, etc. I ended up cranking the tone knob up to 10, adjusting EQ and hitting the bright button on my Blues Deluxe. Adjusted EQ pedal on amp downstairs too. Maybe it's just because of ultra low volumes. I dunno. I did test the water at slightly higher levels (about what it was before surgery) and I still heard it. Interesting.
The second thing is that my strumming or right hand work has improved or turned a corner. More limp wristed, not quite as hard string strikes. I'd already gone from robotic to having some feeling with my rhythm playing a year or two ago, but it just seems I've taken another leap. More of the song that I'm internalizing is coming out through my right hand.
Mostly, though, I've been playing less strummy songs. "The City Of New Orleans" still hurts to play. Slightest head bouncing...ugh! I've been learning some slow songs mostly as well as doing some slow songs I've already known. "Welcome To The Machine" and "Nobody Home" by PF, "All About You" by the Stones and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" by Elton John are a few of the less strummy songs I've been messing with. "Miss You" by the Stones just has a percussive rhythm to that, so I've done that some too. I'd include "All The young Dudes" in the list, but it's still just so awful to mention. :cry:
Singing will come later. Speaking isn't fun yet, let alone singing. My wife asked me the other night, "Why aren't you singing any songs for me?" She's so kind. :D
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Posted : 08/07/2009 2:11 pm
Topic starter
Really glad you are making some improvements :D I can relate to that :D I'm still up for a right total hip replacement in November. I would like to get it done like this week but my cardiologist still wants to keep me on Plavix until November :( I'm barely able to get through my 3 shifts a week and have started using a cane. But, its only pain :D
Man, that bites. I hope it doesn't get any worse before your surgery.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Posted : 08/07/2009 2:18 pm
Roy, glad to read news from you! :D
Posted : 08/07/2009 2:43 pm
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. But take it easy, haste makes waste! :wink:
It is difficult to answer when one does not understand the question.
Posted : 08/07/2009 2:56 pm
Roy, glad to read news from you! :D
+1 on that, it's good to know how things are going for you, esp when they're improving. We def miss having you around on the boards, but don't rush to get back to full playing, just take it easy Roy. All the best hon.
Posted : 08/07/2009 4:11 pm
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