paraplegics: how did you adapt?

nikki_k · #1 09-04-2007, 01:08 AM

Hi!
Not sure how many others are out there in TB land, but I figure if I dont aask, I will never know.

I am a T6 Complete (right about mid-breast level). This means I do not have any abdominal control. I played standing most of the time, playing in bands (guitar, bass, and keys). When I did sit, I simply leaned forward, my bdominals holding me fromt ipping over forward, and then positioned my legs to support the instrument, typically crossing my legs and resting the instrument where it felt good. That is gone now, and I have spent years trying to figure otu how to position my instruments to be able to play comfortably, and efficiently (= play them well). Access to upper frets or lower frets seems comromised no matter what I do. Using only a strap has been ok, but (sorry if it is too much info guys!) my boobs usually get in the way. Now that we have the "woohoo!!!" part over, seriously, I am struggling to find a comfortable way to play, having access to the entire fretboard, while being able to get my palm toward the bridge, and not feel strained after playing for a mere 5-10 minutes at a time.

I spoke to Beaver Felton (Bass Central, Florida; he is a paraplegic as well). He said it was a matter of getting the strap and such set right, and then learning to play in this new position. I have seen vids of him, and he seems to be fine. I have tried to imitate positioning an dsuch with no luck.

So...boo-hoo story aside (and dont say a word about the good parking spots- I dont drive, so I dont even get that! I do get to run over toes of idiots once in awhile tho...lol!!!), are there any other players out there in a similar situation? If not you, do you know someone?

I have been battling this, rehab for my fingers/hands (right pinky got broken at the knuckle at the hand, and right hand had two other fractures, one on middle finger, and my right hand was seperated and re-attached- not all the way; tendons, skin and such kept it hangin). The rehab part to be playing again is cool, but this instrument support and positioning thing is killin me.

As a bonus, I also play piano. I miss the pedals, sustain more than the other two, but still would love access to all three. If anyone knows a way to overcome this with a MIDI piano/keyboard, I would be forever in your debt. I have considered constructing some sort of on/off switch in some sort of sealed thing and using my mouth/teeth to click it on an doff. Alternately, I have considered tracking down one fo those Kurzweil ribbon thingies and seeing if I could affix it to the face of a keyboard, and use my thumbs to smack it to turn the sustain on and off. Better than nothing.

Any O-bass Wan Kenobis out there? Yodas? Hawkings?

meev992 · #2 09-04-2007, 01:21 AM

I imagine that you could gut pedals and fashion them into hand-operated devices that would suit your needs.

sorry, i got a little lost in your post.

but short scale may help with the access to lower and upper frets. Additionally, perhaps you could get a "guitar tree" that some musicians use, to play a secondary instrument, while it's mounted on a stand. Perhaps you could speak to someone who designs ergonomic devices, and u could explain your situation/needs to them?

Phil Mailloux · #3 09-04-2007, 01:46 AM

You might want to look into getting a second strap connected to the bass which would position it better on you. I remember reading that Alain Caron uses two straps on his basses to position it exactly like he wants it.

That might be a way to fix it better on you.

meev992 · #4 09-04-2007, 03:20 PM

I can't recall the exact name of the product, but there was a sort of "harness" similar to a race-car driver's 4/5 point harness. I think that this would suit your needs perfectly.

nikki_k · #5 09-06-2007, 01:13 PM

Hi!
First, thx so much for the replies!

I have tried the harness thing, and it did not work.

I might have it figured out. The guitar/bas stand that holds the insturment was one option, but does not make for the quick "I have an idea now and dont want to lose it" moments. Sure, grab bass, no strap, hit record and go works, but I wanted soemthing better still... (dont we all..)

While sitting holdiing a Jazz bass, I noticed problems. I was used to standing and playing, and the "plane" I was used to playing through had changed. Compared to when i would sit and play, with no abdominal muscles active, that plane had also changed. I do not have the ability to adjust my body to allow proper placement of the bass and create that "plane" to play through/along like i used to. So, I figured I will need to find a way to "set" the bass into that position, despite my body not being there. But, with no abdominals, I cannot lean forward, as I am sure some/many of us would do when playing, to some extent.

The traditional strap button placement on the instrument is the major issue IMO. The problem, to me, is that the bottom of the body of the bass, the bulky part before the curve on most that would sit on your leg, "kicks out" as I play, or has no stability to it. Before, i could adjust my own body (legs, etc) to accomodate this. I cannot now, so I need a way to do this with the strap. So, time to grab the scissors and some kind of fasteners (eventually some sewing...lol..) and se what happens...

steve66 · #6 09-06-2007, 03:18 PM

Just a thought. How about a 4 point harness, fashioned over your shoulder and around your waist. The shoulder harness would connect to the existing strap button locations and for the waist portion, have a strap button installed on the lower horn and lower portion of the bass. You can also use strap locks to make it easier to hook up. The harness could be made fully adjustable.

Supertanker · #7 09-06-2007, 03:45 PM

I have a friend who has a serious bad back.

He can't hold his bass any more.

He has a stand that his bass attaches to while he plays. There is a piece that attaches to the back of his bass that's adjustable, with like four fingers that reach around and grip the bass. The bottom of that piece would fit in any mike stand. So the bass is supended in the air and angle is totally adjustable. I've seen guitar players use similar stands.

Perhaps something like that could be adapted to fit your needs...

Lalabadie · #8 09-06-2007, 04:02 PM

Maybe having some kind of rubber-like surface on the part of the bass which rests against your thighs would prevent it from "kicking out". I first tought of some kind of stop to rest on your leg to prevent it from doing so, but that fits "I have an idea now and dont want to lose it" moments less.

meev992 · #9 09-06-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalabadie

Maybe having some kind of rubber-like surface on the part of the bass which rests against your thighs would prevent it from "kicking out". I first tought of some kind of stop to rest on your leg to prevent it from doing so, but that fits "I have an idea now and dont want to lose it" moments less.

+1

this reminds me of the steinberger (sp?) leg rest. That sounds like an excellent idea.

nikki_k · #10 09-06-2007, 07:51 PM

Steve66:
Yeah, this is where I am headed I think. That would help partly, and then it is figuring how to pad between the bass and my body in subtle ways. I have some stray pieces of Auralex sitting around, and tried them earlier. I am hoping that something wll work that does not require altering my basses. I have that Conklin 7 I have been trying to sell for over a month, and it sits unsold ONLY because the previous owner pulled the pre. But, I might try the buttons on th elower parts with the waist addition to the harness idea on my Kramer 700ST- lol! I put that up for sale for $100 and no one bit, so I figure there is nothing I could do to "hurt" it further in value..hehehe!!!

lalabadie and meev992:
Yeah, I sorta tried that! I grabbed some anti-skid rubber stuff (not like the kind for the bathtub), plain, "unsurfaced" rubber sheet basically, and placed it over my lap. Worked ok, but the only problem I ran into was when used while using a strap, if I moved, the bass would lift, and then the bottom would kick out. Eliminating the strap part makes the neck of the bass (well, the headstock) drop, and then my left hand ends up supporting it, and that isn't good. It is an excellent idea tho!

Supertanker:
Yeah, considered this early on. As a final solution, I am hoping to end up with the bass on via a strap. If I dont, this will end up being my choice tho I think...

Love the ideas, and it is awesome that people are helping!

I was looking for a shoulder bag strap with clips at the end, something lying around the house, and then try using it to secure the lower half of the bass by placing it across the bottom part of the bass, and clip the strap to my belt loops on my jeans (for now!). I usually have Dunlop strap locks on all my insturments, and have 4-5 straps set to different lengths for different instruments. Worked well so far!

Still trying to find an Expressionmate for my keyboard...lol...

BellBottomBlues · #11 09-06-2007, 10:29 PM

You might need a totally new bass. The shapes you're using obviously aren't working for you in a get up and play perspective.

I think you may need a custom bass designed especially for you (try find a luthier in your area who might be of help)

Alternatively, have you tried light weight hollow bodies? Like hofner Icons and such? that way you won't have to use a strap and it will still be easy to hold

steve66 · #12 09-07-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikki_k

Steve66:
Yeah, this is where I am headed I think. That would help partly, and then it is figuring how to pad between the bass and my body in subtle ways. I have some stray pieces of Auralex sitting around, and tried them earlier. I am hoping that something wll work that does not require altering my basses.

How about making a pad (pillow) that can be placed on the back of your bass with velco strips, (the velco can be sewed right on the pad ) so it would be easy to adjust and take off.