Knuckle Drag

[Road Hat]

No, not the kind made by the typical drummer…

I’ve been having many arthritis problems with my left (fretting) hand, and got bad news yesterday. To stop the progression and relieve the pain in my pointer finger, they need to break/fuse the knuckle nearest the fingernail, and also replace the middle knuckle. Failing that, fuse that knuckle too. They become non-functional for bass in any event.

I’ve decided to keep playing until I can’t take it anymore, and then get the surgery. Right now playing in pain is preferable to not playing at all, but the transition is nearing sooner than I want.

Disappointed, but not depressed. I’ve played a lot of notes, some of them pretty well, so no regrets. I still have music in me, though. It’s just how to best express it going forward that I’m coming to grips with. Whatever it is can’t involve my pointer finger, so options are limited. I’m seriously considering slide guitar, as I wouldn’t need that finger.

And unfortunately, this *was* the second opinion, backing up the first.

The focus now is a show in three weeks with my band FreakTrain, which is going to be great regardless. Can’t wait.

Peace.

 

[bholder]

bummer. being 63 myself, I dread stories of the onset of age-related difficulties, sigh

ever consider putting a slide on the index finger and learning to fret above it? Somewhat tricky technique, but the results can be beautiful. Can't recall who I've heard that does that.

 

[Road Hat]

ever consider putting a slide on the index finger and learning to fret above it? Somewhat tricky technique, but the results can be beautiful. Can't recall who I've heard that does that.

I’d give it a consideration, but the darn knuckle is too distorted to get a slide over it. Thanks for the positive thoughts and possible alternatives!

 

[chris_b]

I would try out a synth bass keyboard if I couldn't play a bass guitar at any point.