Nicko Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I was knocked off my motorbike last week. Fortunately it only resulted in a few cuts and bruises, but my left hand is pretty bad. We have a gig coming up on Sunday, and having tried to play the setlist last night I'm fairly sure I can get through it but i'll a.) be in pain and b.) be a long way from my best. The band has been looking forward to the gig for months and the venue is a potential regular well paid gig. We also have another gig the following week at a pub where I know the LL quite well and I'm confident that if we do that well then we'll get a few more bookings from them. The chances of my hand recovering for that gig would obviously be better if I don't play this week. I could cancel, and hack off the band and the venue, or play and know that we won't be as good as we should and potentially end up making a mess of both gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 If you can cope with the pain do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Have you had a decent x-ray? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Get a dep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) Definitely get an X-Ray if you haven't already. Personally I'd load up on powerful painkillers and do both gigs, but I'm reckless. Not reckless enough to ride a motorbike however, I gave it up when my son was born... Edited August 22, 2017 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planer Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Drugs could be your friend here, much more rock and roll than cancelling too. However my sensible, risk-assessing head says - get it looked at first, just in case you've sustained some proper damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I have to say I'd be looking at ways I can do both gigs. In my case I would look to simplify bass lines (luckily we don't play Rhythm Stick) where possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fftc Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Have you spoken to your band about it yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 No one can answer if you can do it or not , only you can gauge that , but I have been in similar situations Either way you have to make a call today or at least very soon either way Start the communion with the band now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1503407528' post='3357957'] Definitely get an X-Ray if you haven't already. Personally I'd load up on powerful painkillers and do both gigs, but I'm reckless. Not reckless enough to ride a motorbike however, I gave it up when my son was born... [/quote] I played a couple of gigs after my bike accident loaded with painkillers, but that was 3 or 4 months after the accident. At two weeks after the accident, I had my right arm and left leg in plaster and was so full of morphine that I didn't know which country I was in. I also did a couple of gigs a week or so after a prostatectomy two years ago, again sitting down and so loaded with painkillers and whisky that I didn't realise I was playing at all, just enjoying the music. I remember thinking to myself 'I wish I could play bass like that' and then looking down at my fingers without really understanding I was playing. Mind you, it wasn't the first time I've experienced that, but the other times haven't involved anything you can get on prescription! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1503408580' post='3357977'] ...it wasn't the first time I've experienced that, but the other times haven't involved anything you can get on prescription! [/quote] Oh yes, that Camomile tea can get pretty freaky. Edited August 22, 2017 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) I have an aggressive form of arthritis and the pain in my hands can be pretty bad but the adrenaline of a gig means I never notice it at the time, can be crap after though. If it was me I would take painkillers (moderate amounts of alcohol also works well) and do it. Edited August 22, 2017 by T-Bay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1503409141' post='3357985'] I have an aggressive form of arthritis and the pain in my hands can be pretty bad but the adrenaline of a gif means I never notice it at the time, can be crap after though. If it was me I would take painkillers (moderate amounts of alcohol also works well) and do it. [/quote] Awaiting an amusing 'gif' from Dad...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapiro Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1503406861' post='3357951'] Get a dep? [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1503410646' post='3357998'] Awaiting an amusing 'gif' from Dad...... [/quote] Damn this autocorrect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 If you can make the pain bearable, do the gig. If you need to change the lines, change them. I did a gig after a skirting board incident with a sharp implement that meant that night I could only play root notes. But I played them well, so everyone was happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1503410646' post='3357998'] Awaiting an amusing 'gif' from Dad...... [/quote] When duty calls... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el borracho Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1503413970' post='3358033'] If you can make the pain bearable, do the gig. If you need to change the lines, change them. I did a gig after a skirting board incident with a sharp implement that meant that night I could only play root notes. But I played them well, so everyone was happy. [/quote] I've done this after almost removing the tip of my middle finger. I just simplified it all - nobody even commented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1503416280' post='3358057'] When duty calls... [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julietgreen Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I did this a couple of times. The first time I fell off my bike and managed to get through with painkillers - fretting hand. The second time, all I did was lift a speaker off a stand - badly. I couldn't touch or move the thumb for 2 weeks - plucking hand. Had to cancel sax gigs, but managed to fumble through a bit of bass. Go for the gig as long as you can play a bit and no obviously fancy bass parts needed. Let us know how you get on. I recommend aspirin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1503406598' post='3357948'] Have you had a decent x-ray? [/quote] The hand wasn't x-rayed, they didn't seem that interested in it, although they x-rayed other bits of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='fftc' timestamp='1503408253' post='3357968'] Have you spoken to your band about it yet? [/quote] [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1503413970' post='3358033'] If you can make the pain bearable, do the gig. If you need to change the lines, change them. I did a gig after a skirting board incident with a sharp implement that meant that night I could only play root notes. But I played them well, so everyone was happy. [/quote] I haven't spoken to them as I did manage to do the practice last night with them. The pain was bearable when I was playing but it feels like its taken a backward step today. I managed to play most of the bass lines using just 3 fingers. The pinky is not usable, and I have no extension between the fingers so I'm shifting position a lot. On most songs this is OK but not ideal, but theres a couple where people will really notice eg: the intro to Somebody Told Me, When I Come Around. We can possibly drop one of these though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 No-one listens to the bass anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SICbass Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1503406861' post='3357951'] Get a dep? [/quote] [quote name='gapiro' timestamp='1503411885' post='3358007'] Get a dep? [/quote] Get a dep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJpullchord Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I played a gig on a load of methadone after an injury. Everything was smooooooooooooooth. Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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