Time to stop gigging

[leschirons]

If you can still play for 30 mins a time, write, record and are into keys and guitar as well, sounds like you still have an awful lot of positives remaining. Best of luck.

[JTUK]

Sorry to read this, All the best.

[WalMan]

So your plucking hand rather than fretting then, and presumably you play with fingers rather than a pick?

I used to get trouble in my fretting arm/hand from the weight of the bass hanging on a knackered shoulder. Had that replaced a few years back now & all's good.

Is there anything possible in the way of replacement joints. They helped me (knuckles & wrist) but then I have pretty much always used a pick anyway.

All the best. Hope you find a way through to do something.

[bigd1]

Bad news, although you are still able to play and make music of sorts, not a total stop !! thank goodness.

I have health problems that really make playing very difficult. I end up fighting the idea of quitting, usually in the car on my way home from rehearsals or gigs. Not sure I could cope with that one just yet. Very tough thing to have to decide on. Well done and hope this work out for you.


All the best, and the very best of health for the future.

Ta very glad
Dale

[casapete]

I broke my arm quite badly 4 years ago and for a while had to contemplate what you're going through, so I know
how tough it is. Before I (gradually) got back to playing bass guitar again I got myself a s/h Roland synth and played
keyboard bass for 6 months or so. I actually enjoyed it, and my band were great in encouraging me to do so too.
Ok, its not the same I know but it certainly enabled me to carry on playing / working whilst teaching me another discipline,
so who knows - may be worth a try?
All the best mate.

[Blademan_98]

Thanks again everyone.

The hand is shot and I need to come to terms with that.

All of the suggestions of alternatives has given me a lot to think about!
It's the start of a new part of my life and I will make the best of what I have left

[Lfalex v1.1]

Ultimately, it comes to us all, though the reasons vary dramatically.
I have no physical issues with playing bass, but just can't stand having to actually be shut in a room with people for hours on end.
That combined with the associated cost and exertion (for no return) effectively ended my live playing career.

And was I glad I stopped.

I understand that there are those of us who [i]have[/i] to stop and don't want to, and that is regrettable

[KevB]

If it's feasible to do 20-30min slots there may be jam session/open mic nights that you could keep playing at, they often have a 4 song limit anyway. As others have said, other possibility is interspersing keys (maybe with bass foot pedals) in the set so you only play bass guitar every 3rd or 4th song, could get a set out that way especially if it was an originals band doing music you have written yourself so not obliged to be on the '2x45min set' covers treadmill..

[chris_b]

Sorry to hear the news. Have you tried:

To alter the position of the bass?

Play with a pick or your thumb?

Stop rehearsing and only play gigs?

Play bass lines on a keyboard?

Acupuncture?

[Blademan_98]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1357915683' post='1930552']
Sorry to hear the news. Have you tried:

To alter the position of the bass?

Play with a pick or your thumb?

Stop rehearsing and only play gigs?

Play bass lines on a keyboard?

Acupuncture?
[/quote]
I have tried many different positions etc.
I can't hold a pick for more than a few minutes.
Rehearsal or gig I have the same problem.

I hope to see another specialist soon through BAPAM - my thanks for a PM that told me about the website.

I will keep this thread updated

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Sorry to hear about it. I have a feeling you will build things up gradually. Best of luck

[3below]

Have thought about your situation a lot in last day or so, it has made me reflect how would I feel without ability to play From my professional side (not music, no chance, lack of ability) have you had an occupational therapy assessment? You could ask the medics for one. Some of my thoughts run as follows: if you can not hold pick and or can not do finger plucking, what about some sort of glove / finger pick / wrist to hand supported thingy that uses two/three fingers (a bit like a big guitarists thumb pick ). If the hand to bass angle is difficult, what about playing bass on lap, like the late Jeff Healey did on guitar. If you can work out what will help / would make it work there will be the will, the ways and the means to make it happen for you on this forum.

[Bassman Sam]

Blademan, you have my sympathy. I had to give just over twelve months ago due to RA and I miss playing bass so much. It was a big part of my life from the age of 14, I'll be 58 next month. I hope that you can find something help your condition or something to replace the itch.

[charic]

So sorry to hear this. With a lot of practice its possible to play bass one handed though, providing you have the patience then perhaps its just a new challenge?

[pete.young]

[quote name='Blademan_98' timestamp='1357590099' post='1925059']

I'd really like to hear you play and perhaps this year I'll make the trip to Ipswich if you are playing at the festival again?

[/quote]

Hi Brian,

We're still sorting out bookings and things for this year, so don't know what's happening with festivals yet. I'll let you know.

[megallica]

Sorry to hear this Brian - sounds like a very difficult decision you've had to make.
All the best in your future endeavours

[lee4]

Whatever you do,keep it musical!
All the best fellah!

[gjones]

I have a lot of empathy for you. I had carpal tunnel problems with both hands until the 20th Dec when I had an operation on my left hand (which was the worst affected). The operation was a complete success and I'm back to playing without numbness, pain or tingling in my left fretting hand. My right hand was never as bad as my left but I hope for an operation on that soon too.

I recommend you ask your GP to refer you for further investigation into exactly what the mechanics of the problem is with your hand - via a CAT scan or similar. You never know? If the problem can be identified (a badly healed bone perhaps) an operation may be the solution.

Edited January 12, 2013 by gjones