• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Quit playing for almost a year...

D

DavidEdenAria

Dec 13, 2013
4,714
2,883
67
On a Hill
#1
I was having back issues but mainly fretting hand 'issues'....got 10 lbs off (near ideal weight), better diet and at 64 wear a rubber back belt when playing but the big thing i noticed right off, my fretting hand feels LOTS better and actually seems stronger.

I sincerely thought my fretting hand/fingers would be weak taking almost a year off.....honestly i think my former line of work and straining in general doing odd jobs caused enough injury that a year off was needed to heal...being diabetic slows healing.

Just thought i would share....now i need to review my technique and make sure to warm up and NEVER play into pain again!

Anyone have a similar experience taking a lot of months off entirely? Thanks in advance!
 
  • Like
Reactions: GKon and chris_b
#3
bholder said:
Hey - glad to hear taking a break seems to have worked for you! I've taken long breaks before, but never for medical / healing reasons. Hope you can continue to play healthy!
Click to expand...
Thanks! It was rough going when i stopped...i may need trigger surgery on my fretting hand thumb but it seems good so far...im moving along slowly and learned not to 'play into pain'...stretching with rubber bands in and outward as well to encourage circulation and warmups.....going into winter i wear gloves before playing to warmup as needed.

Fingers crossed lol!
 
  • Like
Reactions: bholder
#7
I started off as a trombone player, but when I got pretty good on electric bass, I quit playing trombone for over a decade. Then I decided to join a community band on trombone. I thought I would be terrible, but within a month I was back at previous levels. The difference for me, was that during the intervening decade, music was not out of my head completely. I was still playing electric bass professionally, and reading and writing music the whole time.

I feel that as long as music is still fresh in your mind, time spent away from an instrument is not as counterproductive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DavidEdenAria
#8
dreamadream99 said:
I started off as a trombone player, but when I got pretty good on electric bass, I quit playing trombone for over a decade. Then I decided to join a community band on trombone. I thought I would be terrible, but within a month I was back at previous levels. The difference for me, was that during the intervening decade, music was not out of my head completely. I was still playing electric bass professionally, and reading and writing music the whole time.

I feel that as long as music is still fresh in your mind, time spent away from an instrument is not as counterproductive.
Click to expand...
Good to hear! I played trumpet starting in 6th grade around 1970 for 4 to 5 years...still have the Getzen...i have tried to get back into it at times and i found i knew some of the scales right off! I plan on pursuing it again but i assume it will take months of daily playing...i need to buy a mute as well but i can tell my mouth is different now after braces and losing some molars.
 
#9
dreamadream99 said:
I started off as a trombone player, but when I got pretty good on electric bass, I quit playing trombone for over a decade. Then I decided to join a community band on trombone. I thought I would be terrible, but within a month I was back at previous levels. The difference for me, was that during the intervening decade, music was not out of my head completely. I was still playing electric bass professionally, and reading and writing music the whole time.

I feel that as long as music is still fresh in your mind, time spent away from an instrument is not as counterproductive.
Click to expand...
soap said:
In 2019 i had to stop playing for 5 months. Also because of back pain. Not bass, but piano. Anyway it sucks when you have to stop because of these things, but leason learned. We must take care of the body.
Click to expand...
soap said:
In 2019 i had to stop playing for 5 months. Also because of back pain. Not bass, but piano. Anyway it sucks when you have to stop because of these things, but leason learned. We must take care of the body.
Click to expand...
My late mother was classically trained on piano, actually played silent movies early 1930s at age 14....Rheumatoid arthritis took its toll and she stopped by her late 50s, only playing occasionally but her mind never forgot, she could still read and play by ear for short sessions.
 
#11
Crawforde said:
I’m taking an enforced break right now.
I can’t use the fingers of my right hand. I tried playing with my thumb which still kind of works but it’s also awkward and uncomfortable. Hopefully this is a temporary situation.
Click to expand...
Hopefully the time off will allow healing...it took me almost a year but im 64 with significant wear and tear.

Im fortunate my right picking thumb is good (so far!) but i use a pick a lot....playing with 1 finger at a time is out....i put my index and middle finger together for more strength to play with finger....as well i do not use a thumb anchor, more of a hybrid float.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crawforde

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back