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I figured this is pretty much the only place on the internet anyone would possibly care, and its 12:30am, so I can't call anyone. I'm just so happy, I have to tell someone.
I had a stroke back in June that left my left side pretty much useless as far as fine motor skills are concerned. After a couple weeks I could run and drive and do normal things again, but guitar was not among the things I could do. Imagine being outside in a snowstorm for an hour with no gloves, that is how uncoordinated my left hand has been.
I've played drums for 14 years now, and while that is a little more on the banging side, I've done that to keep the musical itch somewhat satisfied, although I'm very sloppy now. A month ago or so a therapist measured my hand strength at 170lbs right side 100lbs left side, then gave me a grip strengthener and told me to go to town. I loaded it up with all the bands (weight) possible and have been doing it a bunch at work. I am starting to see the results in guitar playing.
This will sound so stupid to everyone who hasn't had to recover from an injury to their left hand, but tonight I was able to play a barre chord on an acoustic since June (stroke time). It took some time to get my fingers situated right, but I could play them. I could fumble through the riffage of No Remorse by Metallica and could play the slow Master of Puppets solo at about 1/2 speed. I played the intro to Maiden's paschendale as if nothing had happened. Shook me All Night Long was decent (and for how much/fast chord changing you have to do, that was very encouraging). My acoustic version of Breaking the Law came out at about 60%, which is way better than before. I could go on and on about all these tiny little accomplishments, but its hard to type and most people probably don't care anyway.
There have been times I've looked at all my guitars and though I should just sell them because nothing is progressing..... I looked at them with a smile tonight for the first time in awhile.
I had a stroke back in June that left my left side pretty much useless as far as fine motor skills are concerned. After a couple weeks I could run and drive and do normal things again, but guitar was not among the things I could do. Imagine being outside in a snowstorm for an hour with no gloves, that is how uncoordinated my left hand has been.
I've played drums for 14 years now, and while that is a little more on the banging side, I've done that to keep the musical itch somewhat satisfied, although I'm very sloppy now. A month ago or so a therapist measured my hand strength at 170lbs right side 100lbs left side, then gave me a grip strengthener and told me to go to town. I loaded it up with all the bands (weight) possible and have been doing it a bunch at work. I am starting to see the results in guitar playing.
This will sound so stupid to everyone who hasn't had to recover from an injury to their left hand, but tonight I was able to play a barre chord on an acoustic since June (stroke time). It took some time to get my fingers situated right, but I could play them. I could fumble through the riffage of No Remorse by Metallica and could play the slow Master of Puppets solo at about 1/2 speed. I played the intro to Maiden's paschendale as if nothing had happened. Shook me All Night Long was decent (and for how much/fast chord changing you have to do, that was very encouraging). My acoustic version of Breaking the Law came out at about 60%, which is way better than before. I could go on and on about all these tiny little accomplishments, but its hard to type and most people probably don't care anyway.
There have been times I've looked at all my guitars and though I should just sell them because nothing is progressing..... I looked at them with a smile tonight for the first time in awhile.
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