Blind Mando Players

[MikeB]

I'm slightly breaking doctor's orders by writing this (I'm supposed to keep my head down, and look slightly back, but I'm dying here and it's been 6 days, so I'm taking a little break). I suffered a detached retina last week and had surgery last Thursday. My prognosis is good, but being essentially blind all week (and unable to play mando with my head cranked way down), I have had little to do but wonder:

There are a number of famous blind musicians, many guitarists. But, does anyone know of a blind mandolin player? If not, I wonder why not? (I don't qualify, btw. I can see from my right eye...)

[AlanN]

Kenny Hall.

Hope you recover real quick http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Tom C]

<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>I get confused when I look at what I'm doing. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Feel better.</span>

[Tom C]

Oh OK.....
<span style='font-size:19pt;line-height:100%'>I get confused when I look at what I'm doing. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Feel better.</span>

[evanreilly]

Years ago in Boston, I met John McCann, a good mandolin player who was blind. I am not sure if he is still picking; I beleive he now lives somewhere in the greater D.C. area.
He was playing in a band with a blind bass player, BTW.

[JimW]

Although Mike Cleveland is better known for his fiddle playing, he also picks a mean mandolin. I'm not sure if he's totally blind, but I believe so.

Jim

[acousticphd]

Although Mike Cleveland is better known for his fiddle playing, he also picks a mean mandolin. I'm not sure if he's totally blind, but I believe so.

Good example. I saw Mike Cleveland play (only fiddle, though) just the other week with the group 1946, here in Nashville. Pret-ty darn good. And I'm sure you're right about his blindness. Wish I could hear his mando playing now.

[John Flynn]

Does "blind drunk" count? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[sunburst]

Here in VA there's a guy named Henry Boitnot (sp?).
Totally blind and very fine mandolin player. (and piano technician)

[MikeB]

Does "blind drunk" count?

It does for a laugh. And, believe me, I could use a few of those. I thought this might be an interesting thread when I started it. Now, I wonder what the point was....

At least blind players can hold their heads up....so, are there any great players who have to hold their heads down and looking back? (Just kidding.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif )

[bmac]

I'm not famous, not great, about seven months into mandolin, but am a bonafide blind guy. Lost almost all my vision in a stroke last year. Have a little tunnel roughly a 10 degree tunnel of vision.. Some years ago I also suffered detatched retina so I've been through all you are going through.

I took up mandolin a few months after losing my sight. Years ago I played guitar so I had a little experience with stringed instruments. I do not find that blindness is any obstacle to mando playing. In fact it may help in learing finger on fretboard positions etc. My limitations in learning mandolin have nothing to do with blindness, but rather that I lost some ability to remember chord platterns. In that sense I am a slow learner but I have an excellent ear. I find that my choice of music... Blues.... is a good one as often blues musicians would play shortcut chords (two and three string chords) and they, of course are easier to learn than four string chords. My ability to learn chords may, or may not, return but even if it doesn't I can play single string work (milody and counter melody) and tremelo pretty well. My problem is that without sight and with a limited sense of balance I cannot yet feel safe finding and going to places where I can play with others.

I suspect that I may have to see if I can get a blues group going myself if I am going to get any group experience.

Anyway judging from the names of traditional blues musicians my infirmaty may be a requirement, not a detriment.

Blind Bart

[SternART]

There was a young fella at the Mandolin Symposium......hailed from Santa Cruz, can't recall his name.
Good player, knew jazz chord theory etc. Played piano too as I recall.

[J. Mark Lane]

Anyway judging from the names of traditional blues musicians my infirmaty may be a requirement, not a detriment.
That's pretty funny. Somewhere there was a website where you plugged in various information about yourself, and the website gave you your "blues name." Can't remember what mine was, but it's a pretty funny thing to do.

I think Doc Watson occasionally plays mandolin. Doc is my all-time hero. I think he's done more for traditional music than almost anyone around. Lack of normal sight has certainly not slowed him down.

Alas, I can see perfectly well, and still can't play worth two cents.

Mark "Lame Lemon" Lane

[jaybee]

Mike: I had a detached retina a couple yearas ago. KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!!! Mine didn't work right with the bubble. Had to be laser "welded" back. I have never felt such pain. KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN! If your doctor says the word laser to you...repeat: "CAN YOU SAY ANESTHETIC?" KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN...!!!

[bmac]

"Had to be laser "welded" back. I have never felt such pain. "

That's very interesting... I too have had several retina operations over the years, most recently laser surgery to weld back a detatched retina. I felt no pain what-so-ever. Maybe it relates to which part of the retina was detatched, because I have always told people it is an entirely painless operation. I'll keep my mouth shut from now on.

Bart

[mandobsessed]

I'm a blind (legally anyway) mando player although I am not what you would call famous...... Detached retinas are a pain. Mine are held in by little plastic buckles.

Here are some difficulties with bad eyesight and music. Sight reading is a problem but that encourages you to develop your ear. I once had a violin instructor in High school who didn't believe I couldn't sight read. I was three inchesw from the music on my final exam, my bow kept hitting the music stand and sending the music flying!!

Just have a positive attitude and have fun.

[MikeB]

Thanks, folks. As usual around here, I get encouragement and good advice (although I am looking up a bit as I type this.) I got lasered and the "bubble" treatment. Had my second post-op yesterday. Everything looks good, but 5 more days of face-down. And, yes, I'm getting back to in in a second....

My only complaint, really, is that my detachment was at the very bottom of my retina, so I need to hold my head an very awkward angle for recovery. Too far over to hold my mandolin without killing my neck.

I had secretly hoped this affliction would force me to rely more on my ears. Unfortunately, it's relying on my neck, which is no help to playing at all.


Thanks for the input, everybody. You think you are the only person in the world with something like this until it you bring it up to people. Everyone knows someone who's worse off....4 more days....