A Progress Report-Learning The Mando with a Spinal Cord Injury

[Carolie]

No, I haven't given up yet.

I alternate between my mandolin and my octave mandolin. I've been slowly working my way through Greg Horne's Beginning Mandolin book. I play until my fingertips hurt on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays I slowly learn the hammered dulcimer.

The HD has been a challenge. Not only is it a difficult instrument to learn, but I'm trying to do it with a head injury. I'm finding the skills needed to learn it access the part of my brain that was damaged, so it ends up being therapy, even if it makes me want to burst into tears in frustration at times because I just can't get it. My mandolin club learns 3 songs in a month. I learn six measures of one song.

I have learned with my SCI, one thing I cannot do with a mandolin is the up/down picking pattern. I just don't have the coordination for it. But that's ok, because I'm only playing for myself and I doubt I will ever play in public.

So, I'm still out here. Just not talking much.

Carolyn

[bassthumper]

:) you brought a smile to my face....i am learning mandolin with numb fingers due to multiple sclerosis, and i can't fit my beloved upright bass in the wheelchair with me.
i am so glad when i hear of others learning and playing music and overcoming difficulties to bring more music into the world.
i spent some time in a phsyical therapy facility with several spinal cord injured patients. they were blessings to me, i will never forget their smiling faces,encouraging words and determined work ethic in p/t,o/t and everything they did. i regard them as my heroes.
keep at it, play loud, and let me know when you record a c.d. i want to purchase several.:)

[Randi Gormley]

I think determiniation is more than half the battle and you have a lion's share; I have no doubt you'll progress -- maybe not as fast as you'd like, but still there's forward movement. music is great therapy just by itself. sending good thoughts and the wish for nimble fingers your way ...

[man dough nollij]

Always good to see your posts. Thanks for hangin' in there. What could be better therapy for nerves that are trying to learn to talk to each other again than a musical instrument?

Lee

[hank]

Hey Carol good to hear from you. How's the book coming? Donna and I will be coming thru Little Rock on the way to my Mom for Xmas. We hope to see the World of Pharaohs Exhibit. PM me if you would like to get together and catch a meal etc.

[shawnee creek]

Carolyn, Good to hear you again. Hang in there, my progress sounds slower than yours without the problems. Mike and barb

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Carolyn,it's really nice to know that you're hanging in there - it takes guts to do what you're doing. Hammered Dulcimer ! - now that has to be one of the sweetest sounding instruments i know
of,along with the Auto-harp.
There's a great track on Mike Compton & David Grier's CD "Climbing The Walls" - "Over The Waterfall" that features Hammered Dulcimer & i have a terrific DH CD " The Hammered Dulcimer" by
Bill Spence with Fenning's All-star String Band - Front Hall Records FHR302CD ,
Ivan

[dulcillini]

Go ILLINI, you can do it !

[billkilpatrick]

had no idea your beginner's up-hill struggle was quite so up-hill ...

something that helps me is tuning into youtube and playing along with others in a virtual jam. i wish i had patience to read - and understand! - music from a book ... but finding a guitar player (for example) playing a song i like and hitting the video "replay" button over and over again till i get it down, is a good way to learn.

sometimes, these virtual duos can actually sound ok together - imagine that!!!

saluti from an absolutely gorgeous, "indian-summery" italy - bill

[catmandu2]

Right on, Carolie. FYI...the hammered dulcimer is a challenging instrument for me too...

You should join our new HD group! http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/group.php?groupid=129