Should I play tonight?

GeneralElectric · #1 03-17-2011, 06:34 PM

I've got a gig in an hour and a half and I just messed up my hand. I slammed the top of it into a door knob as I went by and now the back of my hand is painful and swollen where I got it and I've got more pain when I move my first two fingers.

This is my fretting hand and I don't think the pain will lend well to my playing ability. I've got percocet left over from my knee surgery so maybe the tylenol in that will help with the swelling and the oxy in it will numb the pain. Bad idea?

I've never bailed on a gig ever before. I was gigging 8 days after reconstructive knee surgery, which was 6 weeks before I could even walk with a cane. I've played with my finger tips glued back on after I sliced them off with a deli slicer. I've gigged with a 103 fever while vomiting blood and mucus. Tons of stupid situations where I shouldn't be out but I was.

This is the first time I'm considering bailing. The 2 of the 3 bands that were supposed to play with us tonight cancelled although one might still be able to. I'm playing mandolin, whistling, and singing for a few numbers. But the band is a 9 piece and half of us sing.

Shout some encouragement here people. I don't wanna go but I probably should.

sloasdaylight · #2 03-17-2011, 06:39 PM

If you can perform something, you should go. You don't need your hand to whistle, and barring an epic mandolin solo, i think the other 8 members of your band ought to be able to cover :-P

elgecko · #3 03-17-2011, 07:01 PM

The show must go on!

Jay Ralston · #4 03-17-2011, 07:03 PM

Ice your hand as much as you can before hand.

oldbassplayergu · #5 03-17-2011, 07:10 PM

ice is your friend. maybe tylenol for the swelling. a beer or two never hurt

Jim Campbell · #6 03-17-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I've got a gig in an hour and a half and I just messed up my hand. I slammed the top of it into a door knob as I went by and now the back of my hand is painful and swollen where I got it and I've got more pain when I move my first two fingers.

This is my fretting hand and I don't think the pain will lend well to my playing ability. I've got percocet left over from my knee surgery so maybe the tylenol in that will help with the swelling and the oxy in it will numb the pain. Bad idea?

I've never bailed on a gig ever before. I was gigging 8 days after reconstructive knee surgery, which was 6 weeks before I could even walk with a cane. I've played with my finger tips glued back on after I sliced them off with a deli slicer. I've gigged with a 103 fever while vomiting blood and mucus. Tons of stupid situations where I shouldn't be out but I was.

This is the first time I'm considering bailing. The 2 of the 3 bands that were supposed to play with us tonight cancelled although one might still be able to. I'm playing mandolin, whistling, and singing for a few numbers. But the band is a 9 piece and half of us sing.

Shout some encouragement here people. I don't wanna go but I probably should.

if at all possible play the show,but either way show up......if you can't play,at least sing/whistle your parts....

Sam Hain · #7 03-17-2011, 07:35 PM

The only time is ok to miss a gig is if someone is doing CPR on you...and even then is questionable!

Pilgrim · #8 03-17-2011, 08:53 PM

Elevate the hand over your head and pack with ice like crazy! Both will reduce swelling. Tylenol doesn't affect swelling - Ibuprofen or Alleve have anti--inflammatory effects and may help reduce swelling slightly.

**colcifer** · #9 03-17-2011, 09:24 PM

Ibuprofen and open strings in every chord!

Muzoid · #10 03-17-2011, 09:25 PM

The show must go on....worst case yell "is there a bassist in the house?"

Simplify if you need to.

Hope all goes well.

Big_Daddy · #11 03-18-2011, 02:24 AM

Do it.

This will just add to your 'Toughest Bassist Alive' list.

Hugh9191 · #12 03-18-2011, 11:17 AM

You could always attempt to play your parts with a keyboard.

Skitch it! · #13 03-18-2011, 11:21 AM

......like the Cat says.

buzzbass · #14 03-18-2011, 11:27 AM

C'mon Nancy, suck it it up & play.

i_got_a_mohawk · #15 03-18-2011, 12:19 PM

Replace the Mandolin and you'll be fine.

I suggest:

**pacojas** · #16 03-18-2011, 12:28 PM

one percoset & one Heineken,... as long as you don't drive.

not very good advice, but that's how i deal would with pain on a gig night. gl.

MakiSupaStar · #17 03-18-2011, 12:30 PM

Just sing your little heart out.

Hugh9191 · #18 03-18-2011, 01:23 PM

I once played at a wedding with a massive, really fat bandage on my left ring finger. I couldn't bend my finger but I managed to play Gay Bar by Electric Six well enough to offend enough people there!

**Thor** · #19 03-18-2011, 01:42 PM

Dropped a lathe chuck on my index finger 4 hours before a
gig many years ago. Had to play with a splint on my right hand.

Play.

wabbit · #20 03-18-2011, 01:46 PM

Well it certainly seems pretty unanimous in here. I managed to play a whole gig without using my index finger as it was splinted from a construction injury earlier that day. I had to simplify my lines somewhat but I made it through. Only twice did I kinda forget about it and hammer that finger down on to the fretboard. The band and the front two rows of the audience knew precisely when I did that as there was a loud expletive shouted from the back of the stage. Damn that hurt. Try not to do that.

Like someone already said, the show must go on and I think you already know that.

EDIT: There always this option too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=houU6FjEnaI