This weekend was my dad's 60th birthday. He was a musician for all his life having a B.S. in Music Composition. He started in the early 60's as a guitarist and mandolin player, and also picked up trombone and eventually bass guitar as an adult. While he wasn't quite a teacher to me (I largely picked up the instrument on my own), I started out using his modified Fender Jazz that he got cheap in 1980. He also taught me much about music theory, and as I got older, I would enjoy playing music with him, and sometimes other family or friends at reunions and whatnot. He even bought me my first instruments.
My dad had FOUR strokes due to some sort of heart condition that he had fixed in 2009 if I recall correctly. However, the damage was done. He developed trigger finger on his fretting hand's ring finger, and lost some of the feeling in his tips. He effectively stopped playing music completely in maybe 2007 or 2008.
Anyway, he had a little party at his house, and some cousins from out of town came. One of them had a guitar. I didn't know anyone was brining anything, and I couldn't go back to my place to get a bass. I picked up an acoustic guitar and played some stuff from the 60's and 70's with the cousin. My father watched us play, but it was really the first time he couldn't participate - and it looked like he really wanted to as well. He just looked sad. I felt really bad. It's difficult enough, because anytime I try to offer a suggestion or solution, he just says "I can't do it" and dismisses it. He also spends all of his time in front of the computer and barely leaves the house these days. He only comes out to see me and my fiancee, or some other mandatory life stuff.
So I started thinking up some ideas the next morning, because I was really sick of him always saying he can't play because of this and that. It's a waste of talent, and he still has usable fingers. He also has a daughter (my half-sister) who is learning flute, and she might enjoy playing with her dad. I tried playing a few instruments with just the index and middle fingers, and started to develop a technique during that morning. I've heard it's the "Django" technique, because his ring and pink were crippled in a fire. I was able to play some bass lines on a Les Paul guitar easily. I took a little time, but I could play it on one of my P Basses. However, I don't think he'd be able to play a P Bass at this point.
Then it hit me: get him a Fender VI and teach him the two finger technique.
He can play something with his two fingers, and he can use a pick or work with his hook finger to pluck. Whatever makes him comfortable. He doesn't need to be a virtuoso or anything, he just should keep playing something that he can. Most of his experience has been on fretted chordal instruments, so why not give him something easier that can let him participate? Plus it's from his son, and I never got a chance to repay him so to speak.
The plan: I found the Squier VI on Sweetwater, and since I know he dislikes "colored" guitars, I got him the one in sunburst. It will be delivered Wednesday, and I will put some La Bella VI Flats on it, and set it up to make it SUPER easy to play since his fingertips are a little numb. I picked up VI rounds for it, in case the flats aren't his taste. I also got him a nice Roland Micro Cube Bass amp so he can take it wherever he wants. He can even play backyard by the pool and enjoy the weather. He'll also have a giant load of tonal options with the three pickups and strangle switch, so he can easily find a tone he likes.
I hope this works, and also that it will make him happy (and prolific again). Wish me luck!
My dad had FOUR strokes due to some sort of heart condition that he had fixed in 2009 if I recall correctly. However, the damage was done. He developed trigger finger on his fretting hand's ring finger, and lost some of the feeling in his tips. He effectively stopped playing music completely in maybe 2007 or 2008.
Anyway, he had a little party at his house, and some cousins from out of town came. One of them had a guitar. I didn't know anyone was brining anything, and I couldn't go back to my place to get a bass. I picked up an acoustic guitar and played some stuff from the 60's and 70's with the cousin. My father watched us play, but it was really the first time he couldn't participate - and it looked like he really wanted to as well. He just looked sad. I felt really bad. It's difficult enough, because anytime I try to offer a suggestion or solution, he just says "I can't do it" and dismisses it. He also spends all of his time in front of the computer and barely leaves the house these days. He only comes out to see me and my fiancee, or some other mandatory life stuff.
So I started thinking up some ideas the next morning, because I was really sick of him always saying he can't play because of this and that. It's a waste of talent, and he still has usable fingers. He also has a daughter (my half-sister) who is learning flute, and she might enjoy playing with her dad. I tried playing a few instruments with just the index and middle fingers, and started to develop a technique during that morning. I've heard it's the "Django" technique, because his ring and pink were crippled in a fire. I was able to play some bass lines on a Les Paul guitar easily. I took a little time, but I could play it on one of my P Basses. However, I don't think he'd be able to play a P Bass at this point.
Then it hit me: get him a Fender VI and teach him the two finger technique.
He can play something with his two fingers, and he can use a pick or work with his hook finger to pluck. Whatever makes him comfortable. He doesn't need to be a virtuoso or anything, he just should keep playing something that he can. Most of his experience has been on fretted chordal instruments, so why not give him something easier that can let him participate? Plus it's from his son, and I never got a chance to repay him so to speak.
The plan: I found the Squier VI on Sweetwater, and since I know he dislikes "colored" guitars, I got him the one in sunburst. It will be delivered Wednesday, and I will put some La Bella VI Flats on it, and set it up to make it SUPER easy to play since his fingertips are a little numb. I picked up VI rounds for it, in case the flats aren't his taste. I also got him a nice Roland Micro Cube Bass amp so he can take it wherever he wants. He can even play backyard by the pool and enjoy the weather. He'll also have a giant load of tonal options with the three pickups and strangle switch, so he can easily find a tone he likes.
I hope this works, and also that it will make him happy (and prolific again). Wish me luck!
