osteoarthrithus (s?)

[Kbone]

The above has me considering giving up the mando , as due to the stiffness in my joints it has hindered my playing & my speed in not up to snuff , and speed is a vital part of this music - any suggestions ? i might have to go back to electric as it's much easier on the fingers.

[John Flynn]

I am assuming you have been actually diagnosed with osteoarthritis by an orthopedic hand specialist, or equivalent physician. If not, I would have one check it out. There are all sorts of hand maladies that can look and feel like osteoarthritis and there are things that can be done.

Assuming that, however, Here are some things that I have done or have heard of being done to help with hand problems. I have had a lot of hand problems myself, but not athritis-related, so far:

1. Have a good mando luthier set up your mandolin for best playability and go to lighter strings. The T-I strings are particularly easy on the fingers and hands and they sound great.

2. Work on playing with less hand tension. Most of us probably use too much.

3. If you doctor thinks it will help, do the stretches on musicanshealth.com. regularly.

[Bob DeVellis]

If you have significant degeneration of the joints in your hands, then it might be tough to continue playing as you have before. THe most important thing might be to determine what effect continuing to play will have. It might do harm or it might not. If a rheumatologist can reassure you that, although playing is tough it won't do further damage, then just accept playing at a more leisurely pace and enjoy it. Although playing at warp speed is fun, it's certainly not the only way to have fun with the mandolin. Slowing down may result in your giving a whole new interpretation and subtlety to slower numbers. If slowing down is advisable, think of it as a challenge and opportunity for exploration, not just as a limitation. Just about all instruments have inherent limitations. People who love a particular instrument don't consider those limits a bad thing, but as giving the instrument its character. A mandolin can't go as low as a double-bass and can't accommodate the complex chord forms of, say, a 12-string guitar. But those limitations give it the character we love. In the same way, needing to slow down can be turned from a limitation to a positive characteristic if you explore slower tunes with enthusiasm.

In any case, I wish you the best with your playing.

[Bill James]

Keith,
Hey buddy how's it going.

As long as you asked, I'll give you my take on this.

I don't think you have any serious physical issues. We all get a little stiff and sore at our age and there are things you can do to counteract that.

I think you're looking for a way out. I think you want to be better than you are on the mandolin and it's not happening and you're frustrated. #But you are really good and when I watch you play, I think about how much more potential you still have. The good thing is that you already have most of the puzzle pieces. You have a great musical sense, a huge repertoire of tunes, and really quick hands. I'm no expert but it's my opinion whats holding you back are technique related issues. I think if you really concentrate on a couple of things specifically that you would get back on the road to where you want to go.

Don't give it up man, you have too much invested in it and like I said you already have most of the pieces. Besides, nobody else's wife will put up with us jamming at their house. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Give me a call if you want to talk.

[Kbone]

I wish it was just mental , but the fingers aren't working, anyway , thanks for all the suggestions.

[tjg]

Keith,

Sounds like some very good suggestions. I hope you get to feeling better. As mentioned previously, this may present other opportunities, like working on tone and playing slower tunes. I find playing slower tunes and making them sound great is often harder than whipping out a fast one. I've gone through painful periods too, the most recent elbow pain. Done the finger pain thing. Luckily, I've been able to work through those. Still working on the back pain, though.

Best of luck!